Dr. Perkins has a rich heritage in the Church of God with both grandfathers being ministers (T.A. Perkins and R.E. Worley). Born and raised in Lexington, KY, he attended the University of Kentucky for two years majoring in Civil Engineering. He is a graduate of Lee University (Cleveland, TN) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion, a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry/Counseling from the Church of God Pentecostal Theological Seminary (Cleveland, TN), and a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Carolina University (Winston-Salem, NC).

In August 2022, Dr. Perkins was appointed as Administrative Bishop of Mississippi after previously serving as Administrative Bishop of Louisiana from 2018-2022 and the Midlands Region (Iowa/Nebraska) from 2014-2018. Dr. Perkins comes with over 41 years of ministry in the local church as a Youth Pastor, Executive Pastor, and Lead Pastor in Mississippi, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Alabama.
Dr. Perkins has served on numerous Church of God state and international boards and committees. He currently serves on the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home Board, the Board of Directors for Men and Women of Action, the Asian Seminary of Christian Ministries Board, and as a member of the Church of God Global Board of Education. Dr. Perkins also serves as an Adjunct professor at Lee University.

Jean was born and raised in the small, rural town of Calhoun Falls, SC. She is a graduate of Lee University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Education and Minor in Music where she met her life and ministry partner. She has worked alongside her husband in their forty-year ministerial journey in youth, pastoral and state office ministry. Jean has served as Office Administrator in addition to Children, Youth & Women’s Ministries in the local church. She has served on the State Women’s Board in Alabama and Louisiana, and the State Women’s Ministries Director in Louisiana and the Midlands Region. Jean enjoys spending time with her family, especially their four grandchildren, photography, traveling, and speaking for women’s events and conferences.

Dr. Perkins and his wife, Jean, have two married daughters. Lauren and her husband, Danny, Henderson are planting the City View Church of God in Santee, CA. Kayla (Robbie) Beck served as Children’s Pastor in Augusta, GA and Athens, GA. Kayla is currently working from home and writing her second book. They have been blessed with four wonderful grandchildren: Brooklyn Henderson, Audrey Henderson, Andy Beck, and River Beck.

Derwood Perkins    Jean Perkins

Ann Reed has served the Mississippi Church of God for over 25 years. In 1992 she began as the secretary to the Evangelism Department and currently serves as the Administrative Assistant for the Overseer and the State Secretary-Treasurer. Ann views her job as more of a calling and is humbled to have the opportunity to serve the churches and ministers of the Church of God in Mississippi. She is married to Jim Reed and they live in the Pearl area. Ann and Jim love spending time together which gives Jim lots of opportunity to volunteer at the state office. 

Ann Reed