The Winston County Branch of the NAACP will host its 42nd Annual Freedom Fund Banquet Extravaganza on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Mount Olive Bethel Harmony District Association Building, located at 521 Armstrong Street, Louisville.
The theme for this year's Extravaganza is "ALL IN". The speaker is Pastor Melvin White of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Natchez, Miss.
White is an anointed man of God, called to preach and to teach. From his pulpit rings a message of hope, love, and the gift of salvation to young and old. He is guided daily by his favorite scriptures: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6))
Born in Natchez, on September 10, 1962, to the late Annie Mae Smith and Arthur Smith, Pastor White grew up in a Christian home with five other siblings. He was baptized at an early age and joined the church where he is now the pastor. He graduated from North Natchez High School in 1980 and began working. Well known for his mesmerizing voice, White also travels throughout the area singing praises for the Lord.
His drive to do his best at any job and his pleasing personality eventually led to the purchase of his own distributorship with Little Debbie Snack Cakes. White Distributor became a successful business, employing four workers. It was during this time that he accepted his call to the ministry. Licensed and ordained in 1997, he became the temporary pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Natchez, where he had joined many years ago. Then, on April 30, 1999, he was installed as the pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church.
Pastor White had come full circle. Tirelessly, he balanced work, his responsibilities as pastor and his studies at the Monroe Theological Seminary. He ran a successful business for seven years, but after many prayers and hours of meditation, he stepped out on faith to become a full-time pastor. Under his leadership at Pilgrim, membership has seen tremendous growth.
Pastor White serves as the 1st Vice President of The General Missionary Baptist State Convention. He also serves as The Moderator of The Antioch Missionary Baptist Association. Pastor White is married to Tammy Bingham White, and they have four children, Melneatha, Angela, Bievie, and Takia.
