Our History
Under the leadership of Apostle Theodore Thomas Herring, Sr. and First Lady Evangelist Elizabeth Herring, Salvation and Deliverance Church (S&D) had its beginning in September of 1979 on Main Street in a little pool hall room. At that time, Pastor Herring, his wife, and four children were the only members. Later, they were joined by members (called ‘the Originals’): Brother John Foreman, Deaconess Rosa Brown, Missionary Bertha Allen, Minister Mamie Scott, and Deacon Willard Scott. Through the preaching of the gospel, the church began to grow by leaps and bounds. Support was given by our Headquarters Church in New York, Apostle William Brown, and donations from co-workers and friends.
Apostle Herring preached diligently every Sunday, receiving very small offerings. However, crowds were drawn into the church with the singing of his four- and five-year-old sons and later the SDC Adult Choir was formed. Due to the revitalization of the Town of Tarboro, S&D moved to Conetoe into a little white, wooden church. It was there that God proved His church. He washed it, purged it, and anointed it with praise and with power.
Apostle Herring accepted his call to minister God’s word in April 1977 and was later ordained pastor of Salvation and Deliverance Church No. 6 (Tarboro, NC) on September 1, 1979. Since his ordination, Herring has received numerous awards of distinction including Pastor of the Year, an Honorary Certificate from Governor James B. Hunt for extraordinary services rendered at the Caledonia Correctional Institute (Tillery, NC), and Master’s Degree in Theology from St. Paul’s Bible Institute in New York City. Apostle Herring was ordained as an Apostle of the Lord by Apostle William T. Brown, the Chief Apostle of the Salvation and Deliverance Churches Worldwide, in 2005.
Apostle Herring’s years of community service, diligence, and dedication have earned him a respectable place in the eyes of all who know him. Herring is an inspiring teacher and a dynamic preacher who is gifted at interacting with people from all walks of life. Most importantly, Apostle Herring believes that “he which converted the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
Under the pastoral guidance of Apostle and Evangelist Herring, the award-winning Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir has won numerous awards. In 1996, the choir won the Quaker Oats Voices of Tomorrow Youth Gospel Choir Competition (an award of $17,500) and in February 2004, the choir won the Pathmark Gospel Choir Competition (an award of $5,000). Moreover, in June 2004, Tarboro’s Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir became the 2004 National Champion of the McDonald’s GospelFest (an award of $5,000), held at Madison Square Garden in New York, N. Y.
Under the production of Cedric Thompson and David Allen, S&D has released its debut recording debut, “More than Conquerors.” The recording aptly describes this nationally acclaimed group who is taking the gospel music industry by storm.
The Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir travels all over the United States, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and touching the lives and hearts of many. The choir has had the opportunity to share the stage with gospel legends and Grammy-award winning artists including Vickie Winans, Smokie Norful, Donnie McClurkin, CeCeWinans, Helen Baylor, Melba Moore, Yolanda Adams, Donald Lawrence, Bobby Jones, Jennifer Holiday, Joe Ligon and the Mighty Clouds of Joy, John P. Kee, Byron Cage, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Kim Burrell, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Shirley Caesar, and Marvin Sapp.
Commemorating 10 years of being an award-winning choir, S&D competed in UPN’s Most Soulful Gospel Sound (an award of $2,500), again taking first place victory. Most recently, the choir became winners in Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound Choir Competition, winning over $50,000 and the titles of “Best Small Choir,” “The People’s Choice,” “The Best Overall,” and “America’s Best Church Choir.”
Today, Salvation and Deliverance Church is continuing to stand at 1308 West Wilson Street (Tarboro) under the leadership of God, the love of Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is till yet only the beginning of what God has in store for those who love Him!