True Witness Christian Centered Church

Bishop Elmer K. Rice Sr. born the youngest of 9 children to Namon and Fannie Mae Rice in St. Louis, Missouri.  He was raised in a musical family where his mother, father, sisters and brothers sang in gospel groups.  As a teenager he played the bass guitar for several gospel singing groups such as “The Spiritual Wonders”, “The James Sister & Brothers”, and the “Gospelaires”.  Pastor Rice accepted his call to the ministry while singing in the choir at Coleman Temple C.M.E. Church, where he preached his first sermon, was licensed, and served as an Associate Minister under the leadership of Rev. Gene Williams.

 

Running from his calling, Elmer moved to Los Angeles, California with a Show Band called “Sheer Energy” where he played bass and sang backup for 31 years for many famous singing groups and bands such as “Little Anthony and the Imperials”, “Sony Charles and the Checkmates”, and “Barry Manilow”.  He also played in shows with “Sister Sledge”, “Run DMC”, “Lionel Richie”, “Gregory Hines”, “The Temptations”, “Huey Lewis and the News”, “The Four Tops”, “Mary Wells of the Supremes”, and “Gladys Knight” just to name a few.

 

Elmer’s music career took him to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was blessed to meet his beautiful wife Mary Julia Ellis and they were united in Holy Matrimony in the year 2001.  Under the direction of the Holy Spirit they united with the Metropolitan Baptist Church where he was ordained and continued his gospel singing career, singing and playing bass with such famous gospel artists as Albertina Walker, Bobby Jones, Vickie Winans, Melvin Williams and the Williams Brothers, Walter Hawkins, Shirley Caesar, John P. Kee, James Cleveland and many more.  Pastor Rice was then directed to the Shield of Faith Fellowship of Churches, where under the mentoring of Bishop Dr. George L. White Sr. he served as Minister of music, Sunday School Superintendent, and Director of the Men’s Ministry.

 

On April 11, 2014 at his home church of Coleman-Wright CME he was consecrated Bishop and sealed in Apostleship.

 

In November 2006, Bishop and First Lady Rice who serves as President of the Usher Board and daughter Toni-Marie who served as Leader of the Youth Praise Dance Ministry were moved by the Holy Spirit to move to St. Louis, Missouri where he served as an Associate Minister and bass guitarist for the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. He received further ecclesiastical training under the mentoring of Pastor Dr. Donald Ray McNeal (Hopewell M.B.C.) and Dr. Josephus Bingham (Glad Tidings Bible College). God gave Pastor Rice the vision to reach, empower and equip to impact souls for the building up of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.  From this vision True Witness Christian Centered Church was organized.

 

Under Bishop Rice’s leadership several Ministries that would achieve this vision have been organized, such as  S.W.A.G.G. which supports educational needs and develops the natural gifts and talents of low income and high risk youth, the H.O.M.I.E.S. organization that address and minister to issues that men face while trying to live a Christian life keep and support their families, the W.O.W. organization (Women of Witness) that address and minister to issues that women face while trying to keep their families together and live a Christian life.

 

The membership has grown and Bishop Rice has ordained Ministers and Deacons.  None of which could have been done without the continued support of a faithful, loving, Christian wife, Lady  Elect Julia Rice, two sons, Elmer Keith Rice II of Kansas City, KS, Kendric Rice of Las Vegas, Nevada, four daughters, Min. Audria J. Small, Tenesha Lee, Keisha Russell and Toni-Marie Smith of St. Louis, MO.