DR. MARTHA S. STARKS, Pastor Emeritus

Dr. Martha S. Starks is the former Senior Pastor of Word of Life Family Worship Center located at 726 East Liberty Street in Salisbury, North Carolina. Prior to accepting the position as Pastor, she served two years as the Assistant Pastor. Since retiring in April 2023, she has served the ministry as Senior Pastor for a total of 44 years.

 

She is a graduate of Catawba College, Biblical Studies graduate from the Institute of Biblical Studies in Lynchburg, Virginia. She received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Union Bible Institute in Durham.

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Dr. Starks has served the community of Rowan County in the following capacities:

•Former member-Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Dunbar Family and Community Center

•Former Chairman of the United Way Family Sub-Committee on Parenting

•Former member of the Salisbury Human Relations Council

•Served for 10 years as an Associate Chaplain at Novant Health Medical Center Rowan

•Former member of the Rowan County One Church One Child Board of Directors.

•Former member of the Mayor’s Covenant Community Connection, Project Hope (spiritual element for the Project Safe Program through the Salisbury PD).

•Former Chairman of the Program Services Committee for New Tomorrows through Rowan Helping Ministries.

•Former Chairman of the Salisbury Interdenominational Fellowship Board of Directors.

 

She is married to Elder Clinton Starks and they are the parents of three children, Pamela, Monica, and Samuel, and have four grandchildren Quintin, Jr., Asha, Simon, and Sanaa. Dr. Starks ministers under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and has seen the Word of Life Family Worship Center congregation grow during her tenure as Pastor. She loves the Lord and is committed to teaching and preaching the Word of God uncompromisingly.