Meet Our Staff

MINISTERIAL STAFF

Reverend Wayland Conner
wconner@allentemplecolumbus.org

Rev. Wayland Conner is an ordained itinerant Elder in the AME Church and is the Senior Pastor of Allen Temple. He was born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Morehouse College, and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

He has worked as a Coordinator in the Educational Resource Center of the Atlanta Urban League, as an Educational Consultant for Jostens Learning Corporation; the Resident Coordinator for Trinity House Transitional Housing Program; a Teacher at Greenforest-McCalep Christian Academy and as Youth Pastor at Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church located in Marietta, Georgia where Rev. Kenneth Marcus is the Pastor.

He is happily married to Rev. Melanie Lynne and is the proud father of Charles Anthoney, age 22. Pastor Conner enjoys a good book, a good movie, and writing. He has written and performed the play “A Blind Man’s Soliloquy.”

Reverend Melanie Conner
mconner@allentemplecolumbus.org

Rev. Melanie Conner—affectionately known as "Rev. Melanie"—is an ordained itinerant Elder in the AME Church and is an associate minister at Allen Temple. She has a strong passion for ministry to women that will help to empower, encourage, and improve the spiritual, physical and mental well-being of women of all ages.

Rev. Melanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Georgia State University. She is a graduate of the Interdenominational Theological Center with a Master of Divinity. Rev. Conner is currently a doctoral student completing work on her Ph.D. in Human Services with a concentration in Management of Nonprofits.

She has worked at The Coca-Cola Company as a Project Manager and at Columbian Chemicals Company as the Business Systems Manager. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Zion Hill Community Development Corporation in East Point, GA, which is an organization that provides aid to homeless women and children.

She is a native of Atlanta and the third of four children born to Sylvester and Joan Mitchell. She is the wife of Rev. Wayland Conner and the mother of one son, Charles. The most important thing that Rev. Conner wants everyone to know is that her joy is in serving the Lord!

Reverend Bernice Hall
bhall@allentemplecolumbus.org

Rev. Hall currently serves the church through her participation in the Young People’s Department (YPD) on both the local and conference level. She is a member of Stewardess Board #1 and has served as a Steward, Pastor’s secretary, assistant secretary and church secretary. She teaches Sunday School and provides assistance and leadership wherever she is needed.

Rev. Hall was born in Miami. FL and baptized at Mt. Zion AME Church. She was educated in the public schools in Miami and has lived in Buena Vista, GA. and she currently resides in Columbus.

She was ordained a Local Elder in May 1987 and is still serving, giving hope, comfort and encouragement to everyone she passes along the way.

Rev. Hall is the widow of Mr. Albert Hall, Jr, and the mother of four daughters and one son. She has twenty-four grand children and twenty-four great grandchildren who are the sunshine of her life.

Bessie Mahone
Bessie T. Mahone is currently the Christian Education Director at Allen Temple. She is a licentiate and student of the Southwest Georgia Annual Conference Board of Examiners. She has been a member of Allen Temple since early childhood and accepted Jesus Christ as her savior at an early age. She is the daughter of Robert and Johnnie and she has three siblings. She is married to Major and is the mother of two, Quincy and Tiffany.

Mrs. Mahone received her foundation in education in the Columbus School System, where she graduated from Spencer High School. She is also a graduate of Morris Brown College where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education. She is currently working toward a Master's Degree.

Bessie is so honored and very humbled to have answered the call of God on her life in January 2004. She is grateful to God for what God is doing and what God has done in her life. She also thanks God for what God is doing to her and through her.

One of Bessie's favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 1:4-5 which says:

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.

CHURCH STAFF

Cheryl Martin, Church Secretary
cmartin@allentemplecolumbus.org

Cheryl Martin has served as church secretary for a number of years at Allen Temple. She is also the current Missionary President. Her past endeavors have allowed her to work in many capacities in the church. She was YPD President, Sunday School Teacher, and currently sings in the Young Adult Choir. Her loving husband Robert, and two beautiful daughters Alicia and Kandace keep her grounded. Cheryl loves to read all kinds of books, because knowledge is power. She also loves to crochet in her spare time; she makes Afghans and gives them away.

Cheryl loves Allen Temple and does whatever is asked of her without question. She believes that God called all of us to be workers for him. Her favorite motto is, "God can do anything but fail."