Pastor Fred Martin, Jr.

Pastor Fred Martin, Jr is the Senior Pastor of Refuge Church of Christ. Pastor Martin’s service to the ministry is rooted in his love for Jesus Christ and his passion for the community. Pastor’s devotion to church ministry and life- changing guidance was developed under the leadership of his parents, Bishop and Mother Fred Martin, Sr.

As a child Pastor Martin started his walk with Christ growing up at the Refuge Church in Richmond, VA. When his parents decided to embrace the call of pastoring in Littleton, NC, young Pastor Martin would continue to develop his relationship with Christ. At the age of 10, Pastor was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Pastor Martin’s gift for leadership was developed as he participated in the local ministry. Pastor Martin was called to the ministry of preaching in 1975.

He was educated in the Richmond City School system until his family relocated to North Carolina.  He continued his education in the Halifax County Public School system where he graduated from Northwest Halifax County High School in 1975. He enrolled at North Carolina State University in the fall of 1975, where he majored in Zoology.  

Pastor Martin’s faithful stewardship led to his elevation to several offices within the Churches Of Our Lord Jesus Christ (COOLJC). His active role in Refuge’s youth department would prove to be great training ground in leadership positions within COOLJC’s dioceses and international structure. He served as President of the Armor Bearers Young People’s Union (ABYPU) for the North Carolina Diocese for four terms in the late seventies and early eighties. He also served the International ABYPU on various committees. He was elected President of the International ABYPU Department 1989 in Toronto, Canada.

Pastor was ordained to the position of Elder in the year of 1991; simultaneously he would step into the role of Assistant Pastor of Refuge Church Littleton. Pastor served faithfully in the position of Assistant Pastor for twenty-one years.  He is a worthy steward who has been trained and equipped to accept the mantle that was passed to him from his father on April 28, 2012.

Pastor Martin, Jr. is married to Sharon Starling Martin of Richmond, Virginia. They have two sons, Fred Martin III and Albert Ross Martin and two grandsons, Liam Ross Martin and Jalen Robbie Martin.

“Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  
(I Corinthians 15:58)

First Lady Sharon S. Martin

First Lady Sharon S. Martin is the daughter of Minister Albert Ross Starling and the late Carrie Lewis Starling. Sharon is a native of Richmond, VA. She was educated in the Hanover County Schools and graduated from Patrick Henry High School, Class of 1976.

Upon graduating high school, Sharon attended J Sargeant Reynolds Community College after which Sharon enrolled into the Richmond Public School of Practical Nursing.

Through the ministry of Elder James Andrews, Lady Martin and her family was baptized in the name of Jesus, September 1967. Lady Martin confessed reception of the Holy Spirit several months later. As an adolescent and young lady she attended Refuge Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Sandston VA, Bishop Algenor Johnson, pastor. She served as Sunday School Teacher, Usher and Assistant Choir Director there until she and Pastor Fred Martin Jr. were joined together in holy matrimony on May 23, 1981.

First Lady Sharon Martin serves the local congregation in several capacities. Her ability to lead and serve is displayed in her role as an administrator to and support for various auxiliaries and Pastor Martin. First Lady Martin has also served in various positions in multiple auxiliaries at the diocesan and international level of Churches Of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In addition to her steadfast commitment to ministry, Lady Martin is a Licensed Practical Nurse at a primary care center at SAS Institute in Cary NC. She is the proud mother of two sons and a doting grandmother.