"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Reverend Edward Spence, Jr. was born in a small town near Kipling, North Carolina, 30 miles east of the State Capital, Raleigh. He is the youngest of ten children (seven girls and three boys).

Reverend Spence joined the Marine Corps in January 1972. After military training in Parris Island South Oceanside, California. He served in two wars; Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, and traveled around the world from Europe to South Korea. He retired from the United States Marine Corps as a Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9). After retirement from USMC, He served with United State Justice Department as Support Service Supervisor, then became a Certified Computer Technician by profession and obtain the following Certificates and training: Simplified and Advanced Acquisitions, US Contracting Officer, Houseman & Associates, Support System Computer Aided Management, Justice Department Basic Supervisor, Graduate School USDA, Basic Computer Programming, A+ Certification with Microsoft Engineer/Network and Computer Fayetteville Technical Intuition.

Rev. Spence holds degrees in Management (AA); Military Institution (MCI); Computer Science w/Minor in Math (BS) from Fayetteville State University; and a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary.

He received his calling into the ministry in 2003. His job changed from service in the U.S. Marine Corps to a service in the Army of the Lord. He preached his trial sermon at Creeksville A.M.E. Zion Church, Spring Lake, N.C. and was ordained Deacon and Elder in 2006 and 2007 respectively by the Bishop Richard K. Thompson.

His former pastorates include Chapel Grove A.M.E Zion Church, Fayetteville NC, New Endland A.M.E Zion Church, Sanford NC, St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Sanford, NC and Bridges Grove A.M.E. Zion Church in Shannon, NC. Reverend Spence currently serves as a humble servant of Glovers Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Siler City, NC.