Gospel Highlights

In 1995 Pastor Herbert Bailey traveled from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Columbia, South Carolina to interview for a claims management positon at a national insurance company. Pastor Bailey had no intention of living in South Carolina or starting a ministry there. But, when God tells him to do something, he does it. Period.

"When I was praying about the job and asking for instruction in the salary negotiations, the Lord instructed me to found Right Direction Christian Center (RDCC) here," Pastor Bailey says. "I knew that I was to pastor and found RDCC but my plan was to do it in southern New Jersey, my home state."

Pastor Bailey's unwavering willingness to do what God tells him to do has enabled him to grow RDCC, which he started in his home, from a small bible study class to a powerhouse ministry. In 2006 he added a second location in Orangeburg, SC.

The pastor and his wife, Dr. Marcia Bailey, minister a combination of seven weekly sermons and bible study classes in Columbia and Orangeburg. They can also be seen on The Word Network. But, they are just beginning. The Baileys are standing on God's word and making a difference in their church and community.

Pastor Bailey recently took time out to tell us about his life and RDCC.


You were called into ministry at 12 years old, which is a very young age. How did you know that you were called?

I had a real divine encounter with God in which I heard him tell me to "tell my people about heaven," which is what a 12-year-old boy could understand.  I actually doubted my call for a few years, but as I continued to minister and preach the word, more experienced and seasoned ministers and church mothers would often reassure that I was called and that God's hand was on my life.


Although you served as an assistant pastor for a decade before starting Right Direction, you have degrees in Public Administration and Organizational Management. Did you also have a career outside of ministry before founding Right Direction?  

Yes, I was an Insurance Claims Adjuster. 


Why was that the right time? 

Since I did not plan it, the only answer that I can give is because God said so.  The scriptures tell us that our times, seasons, and bounds of our habitation (where we are suppose to live) are in His hands.


Was it an easy to transition from assistant pastor to pastor? 

Being an assistant pastor prepared me for some administrative things and gave me some viewing experience to how a senior pastor may deal with situations.  It also allowed me to be close to men of vision.  However, being an assistant pastor does not prepare you for the weight and responsibility that belongs to the senior pastor alone.  You can see and advise from that position but you don't know what it feels like until you walk in it. 


Any advice for pastors who are starting churches now?  

Make sure that you are sent versus went.  Starting, planting, or founding a church is an Apostolic Calling. The truth of the matter is that not every good or even great preacher or even assistant pastor walks in the apostolic anointing to be a successful church planter.  Planting or founding a ministry is totally different from being sent by a bishop or called by a deacon board to pastor a church.  Some people incorrectly think it is the same but it isn't.  That's one of the reasons why great preachers don't necessarily pastor great churches.  They may not have the apostolic grace to plant a church from an infancy stage, grow it, and establish it.  Though God gives the increase, he uses men and women to do it.