Dr. Verlie A. Horton, BA, MDiv, is an ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church since 2000, and was Associate Minister of St. Paul’s AME Church from 1992-1995. She has served as Pastor/Organizer of Christ Tabernacle AME Church since 1996. Dr. Horton serves as a staff chaplain at The Regional Medical Center. She holds a Bachelors of Arts from LeMoyne-Owen College, a Masters of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary, where she recently earned a Doctorate in Ministry in Faith and Health. Chaplain Horton received Level I/Level II Pastoral Education Training (CPE) at Methodist University Hospital. Dr. Horton is a past student senate president of the Memphis Theological Seminary and current board member of the Regional Medical Center Diabetes Advisory Committee and the Shelby County Crime Victim Center. She is a member of Alpha Eta Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Dr. Horton is married to Rev. Charles Horton, Associate Pastor of Christ Tabernacle AME Church, a loving mother of two children, Alandras Jr; and Chasity Massey and one precious granddaughter, Auburn.
Reverend Charles Horton
Reverend Charles L.
Horton is an Associate Minister at Christ Tabernacle African Methodist
Episcopal Church under the leadership of his wife, Reverend Dr. Verlie
A. Horton, Pastor. In 1996, Reverend Charles L. Horton accepted his
call into the ministry to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. His
favorite scripture, "Whom will go for me and who will go for us?" And I
proceed say: "Here am I! Send me" (Isaiah 6:8 NIV). Reverend Horton is a
powerful man called and sent by God.
The Story of Christ Tabernacle
Christ Tabernacle was begun March 31, 1996 in the den of Reverend Dr. Verlie Horton’s home and was later moved to the garage. The church was conceived in the heart and mind of Dr. Horton on January 29, 1996. Having few furnishings, the Lord blessed and opened doors whereby they received furniture for worship services. Donations included pews, a piano, pulpit chairs, communion furniture, and a tithing box. The first couple of years were trying, but God was faithful. At the 1999 West Tennessee Annual Conference, The Right Reverend Hartford Brookins, Presiding Bishop declared Christ Tabernacle as a mission church. Prior to the 2001, the 13th West Tennessee African Methodist Episcopal Annual Conference, under the Presiding Bishop Frederick H. Tolbert, a building site was offered to house Christ Tabernacle aside from their home. Dr. Horton accepted the charge in October to house the church at then, St. Paul Benjestown A. M. E. Church, where she was first licensed and ordained into the ministry as an itinerate deacon. Thus, Christ Tabernacle @ St. Paul A.M.E. Church Benjestown birthed. It was at this site where Christ Tabernacle celebrated its 6th thru 15th Church Anniversary. Since that time, Christ Tabernacle @ St. Paul A.M.E. Church Benjestown has continued to be faced with varied challenges, physical and spiritual renovations and more. In 2006, the 13th West Tennessee African Methodist Episcopal Annual Conference, presided by Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Prelate, a motion was made and seconded by the Mission, Circuit and Station committee that Christ Tabernacle @ St. Paul AME Church name be changed to Christ Tabernacle AME Church. God has continued to be faithful and the Christ Tabernacle AME Church family continues to strive for the crown.