ELDER ALFRED L. DEARING SR. "MUSTARD"

GOD has always been my guiding light, even when I lived for the worldly things. Growing up in Washington, D.C. around Marvin Gaye, Dave Bing, Carl Head and meeting a whole host of world  recognized musical artist, it made me a very out going person. I was always helping or caring for others.

I left Spingarn Sr. High School in my junior year, to enlisted in the US Army May 24, 1961. I got my GED in 1963 and was honorably discharged in May of 1964. I returned to Washington D. C. where I began working a list of different jobs such as Assistant Manager at McBride’s Department Store in 1965 and promoted to Manager of The Cosmetic  Department. In 1966, I worked as an Exterminator  for Apex Exterminating Co. 
I was one of Washington D.C.’s first two turntable night club disc jockeys also Master of Ceremonies at hundreds of Shows for countless entertainment acts, such as Kool and the Gang , The O Jay’s, Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers, Tyrone Davis, The Soul Children, Sam and Dave, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Gene Chandler, Little Johnny Taylor, Percy Sledge, Winfield Parker, The Echoes, Bill Pinkney and The original Drifters and many more that I can’t remember.  Little did I know that during those times GOD was preparing me for the ministry because I had a way in the world of bring masses together for entertainment. I learned to be relaxed with the sound of my own voice, and control that I had over my audience.  So I know now that I truly see where the Lord has brought me from to know why I felt so comfortable at what I was doing, because he was grooming me for his purposes. 

In 1984, I became a Memorial Counselor at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood MD. In 1987 I moved on to The National Memorial Park/King David Cemetery in Falls Church Va.. In 1997, I made my transition to The Alleghany Memorial Park in Covington VA. starting as a Memorial Counselor and promoted to Sales Manager in 1999, where I am at present. Throughout my entire career in the Memorial industry I have been able to minister to people in their greatest time of need to help them to achieve their greatest goals in their spiritual lives.
 
My re-birth started in the year 1999 when I discovered that I had a high PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood level of 9.7 and the doctors were concerned. They did a biopsy and found no cancer. We kept watch on my PSA level and saw it graduating to a 10.6 and did another biopsy and still found no cancer, so at that time I was a little discouraged wondering why the PSA level was not dropping.  I went to get another opinion and saw a female urologist this time that, at that time found out that my PSA was 11.6 and she gave me another biopsy. She found cancer in three different places on the back side of my prostate and told me that I should have been operated on yesterday because cancer had started to enter into the lymph nodes and once there it spreads through the body and that is a death sentence. I agreed to the 12-hour operation and before I went under, I had a little talk with Jesus.  I said Lord I am going to do what You said that I needed to do in order to gain entry and to be able to dwell in one of those many mansions that you have gone on to prepare for those that repent of their sins and recognize that you gave your only begotten Son, for our wrong doings. I am inviting you into my heart, turning from my wicked ways and I confess and proclaim that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Once I had done that, I also said that if it is your will for me to return after this and walk amongst men that I will serve you. Well, He allowed me to survive the surgery, and He also allowed me to heal physically as well as spiritually. The  spring  May 2001, I was Blessed to start a radio ministry called “Precious Memories Gospel Hour” on WXCF 103.9 FM Covington VA, Every Sunday 8am-9am.  I am still doing this radio ministry with tools that God has given me to do his work. It is for him, not about me.

I have been working with Winfield Parker and Praise, in the first part of my Quest to reconcile souls back to Christ. I seek after the ones that do not feel comfortable in going to different churches. I preparing them through ministering, teaching and prayer so that one day they will become more transitional and attend a house of worship of their choice.

Also, I want to broaden territories for up and coming Gospel individuals as well as groups such as; Windfield Parker and Praise, Marie Williams, Charlie Godfrey, Charlie Mick, Lady Adams, Evangelist Deborah Cooper, Evangelist Kathleen Robinson, Elder Ron Demitrius Henry and many Gospel artist that just need someone to recognize and have a facility where they could perform, and be recognized for their music ministries. The goal of this would be to graduate their ministry to recording and Radio and Television broadcasting.

I have stayed with the vision that came to me on June of 2005 to find those who do not go to church on Sunday, I have continued to seek and serve those who might not have a suit, those who have no car or transportation.  Those who might have gotten drunk or high last night. I witness to them in order to help reconcile their souls back to Christ and have Bible study and Prayer on a consistent basis.

In fulfilling the task that God charged me to do in June 2005 is how my wife Jennifer and I gave rise to CAYA (Come As You Are) Community Ministries.

 I am employed as The Family Service Director at Alleghany Memorial Park in Covington VA.

In 2001 I rededicated my life to Jesus Christ and joined Main Street Baptist Church to fellowship with my husband and others in Gods community.

In October 2006 I was ordained a Missionary, and in May of 2008 a Teacher by Apostle Gene W. Boyd of the Tower of Deliverance Fellowship in Hampton VA.

Currently I am  the Assistant Director and Bible Study Teacher at Caya Community Ministries, under the direction of my husband Elder Alfred L. Dearing Sr.

My life is filled with the Grace and Blessings of Our Lord, which has allowed me to be a Blessing to others. I am happy that, through God, I have been able to be a part of making CAYA the success it is today.