Administrative Assistant Superintendent William “Dan” White is the Senior Pastor of Garden of Prayer No. 3 C.O.G.I.C, affectionately known as The Garden, and for the past 34 years he’s been a trailblazer for the Kingdom of God. Superintendent White attended Norfolk State University where he studied Industrial Education with an emphasizes in Electronics. Soon after he pursued a professional career with General Electric Company in Norfolk, Virginia.
In 1971 under the tutelage of the Late Pastor Elder Cornelius Purkett, he heard the voice of the Lord and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Knowing at an early age he had a calling on his life, Supt. White became an Ordained Minister in 1972. Shortly after he attended Charles Harrison Mason Bible College where he later taught the fundamentals of preaching. In 1982, seeing his faithfulness and leadership, the Late Bishop L. E. Willis General Board Emeritus appointed him as Pastor of Crusade for Christ No 2 C.O.G.I.C. Petersburg, Virginia. The following year he was ordained an Elder. Supt. White served faithfully for 13 years at Crusade for Christ No. 2, until his ministry assignment brought him back to his home church, the Garden of Prayer No. 3 C.O.G.I.C. in Norfolk, Virginia. In the spring of 1995, Supt. White assumed the pastorate of Garden of Prayer, after the passing of Pastor Elder Cornelius Purkett.
This was a challenging transition for him and the church but with much prayer and fasting he was able to lead the people to another level of ministry. Again he was elevated for his service and leadership and became the Superintendent of Norfolk District No. 2.
Under Supt. White, the Garden of Prayer experienced tremendous church growth. The church added a second service and later appointed Associate Minister Elder Alvin McCray as the 8 AM Pastor. Being a man of vision and wisdom he Pastor White initiated several programs to help his congregation and the community; free tutoring for at risk youth, summer feeding program which serves over 2,000 lunches each year, G.E.D. program with successful completions rates, monthly mentoring for males’ ages 5-18 years old, free backpack giveaways and a host of other urban initiatives. He also plays a vital role in the Park Place Community where he is active in the Civic League and involved in local non-profit organizations such as the Crisis Pregnancy Center, Dwelling Place, and Hope House. Supt. White is also the Vice-President of the Tidewater Minister’s Fellowship.
One of Pastor White’s greatest accomplishments was the total renovation of Garden of Prayer No. 3 debt free! Supt. White other accomplishments include being instrumental in the forming of the Virginia 4th Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia, under the leadership of Bishop G. Wesley Hardy Sr.
Supt. White is blessed to have three adult children Lorenzo White, Courtney White Sr., and Monique Williams. He has one son-in-law; Victor Williams Sr. and one daughter-in-law Keisha White, and he has eight wonderful grandchildren.
God bless All Redskins Fans!