BISHOP
LINWOOD DILLARD

Bishop
Linwood Dillard, Jr. is the proud Founding Pastor of the Citadel
of Deliverance Church of God in Christ, one of the most thriving
and fast growing ministries in the Memphis area. He is happily
married to the lovely and most gracious Mrs. Stephanie Marie
Dillard. They are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters-Faith
Marie and Joy Marie; and one handsome son-Linwood, III.
Since
the age of 15, the anointing on Bishop Dillard’s life has
affected many lives through his evangelistic, deliverance, and
pastoral ministries. Countless souls have been saved, sick bodies
have been healed, and lives have been changed. That ministry has
transcended social, racial, economical, and denominational barriers.
The relevant and timely message God has given him has been embraced
by both the older and younger generations and he has been given
the opportunity to be the guest speaker and lecturer at various
colleges and social organizations. Pastor Dillard is also an anointed
musician, author, administrator, businessman, director, and has
been recognized for his leadership skills and organizational abilities
in the religious and social communities. Since his teen years,
Bishop Dillard has worked in almost every conceivable capacity
in the church.
Bishop
Dillard successfully served as Youth Department President and
Chairman of the Jurisdictional AIM Convention for the Tennessee
Central Jurisdiction COGIC. Bishop W.L. Porter. Currently, he
serves the jurisdiction as Executive Assistant to the Bishop.
Also, he faithfully served as a Regional Director and Executive
Secretary of the Church of God in Christ International Youth Department
(IYD) under two administrations. In 2006, the former Presiding
Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, the late Bishop G.E. Patterson,
appointed Pastor Dillard as the Assistant Secretary of the COGIC
National Tithing Fund Commission. In 2009, Presiding Bishop Charles
E. Blake appointed Bishop Linwood Dillard as the President of
the International Youth Department of COGIC. Under the innovative
leadership and extensive plan of Bishop Dillard, the department
has taken a quantum leap into the 21st Century utilized technology,
a contemporary organizational structure and a “team”
strategy to meet the challenges of today’s youth. Bishop
Dillard has proposed and implemented the development of a strategic
plan for the department as well as developed commissions to meet
the ever changing environment that our youth deal with daily.
Those commissions and ministries include Young Adult Ministries,
Education, Juvenile Crime Prevention and Reduction, Recreation
and Organized Sports, Information Technology, Spiritual Empowerment,
College and Career Preparatory, College Campus Ministries, Youth
Pastors Network, Young Preachers Network, and many others.
Bisho
Dillard holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering with
Chemical and Environmental Concentrations from the University
of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has an extensive background in
engineering, administration, and management. Pastor Dillard has
served in local and regional chapter leadership elected roles
in various social and community organizations such as the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Society
of Black Engineers, American Institute of Chemical Engineers and
many more. Elder Dillard has received numerous awards, recognitions,
and commendations for his academic, ministerial, and social involvement
and accomplishments. In February 2006, he was selected by EBONY
Magazine as one of 30 young leaders under the age of 30 who are
soaring to tremendous heights, giving back to the community, and
making accomplishments in the areas of law, politics, religion,
communications, academia, music, arts and entertainment.