Dr. Henry B. Peoples

The Reverend Henry B. Peoples is the fifth of nine children born to the late John and Annie Rebecca Allen Peoples, Sr., of Timmonsville SC. Dr. Peoples is married to Mrs. Beatrice J. Peoples, and they are the proud parents of seven children: Valarie Banks, Iris Green, Alton Craig Peoples, Darron Peoples, Hope Simon, Shelah Peoples, and Bridgett Mitchell. He is a graduate of Johnson High school in Timmonsville, SC and Morris College School of Religion in Sumter, SC. He is also a graduate of Ashford University in Clinton, IA, with a B.A. Degree in Business Administration. He has done further studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Maryland, and the University of Biblical Studies, Bethany, OK. He is also a 1996 graduate of Strom Thurmond Institute of South Carolina Municipal Government, Columbia, SC. In May 2007, the St. Thomas Christian College of Jacksonville, FL, conferred upon him an honorary Doctorate of Theology degree. On February 16, 1971, Dr. Peoples delivered his first sermon at the Chaney Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Timmonsville, SC. He was ordained by the Pee Dee Baptist Association on February 23, 1972. He served as pastor of the Marion Baptist Church, Salters, SC for sixteen years; Hopewell Baptist Church, Georgetown, nine years; Bethlehem Baptist Church (Timmonsville) four years 1998- 1992; Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Darlington, six years - 1998-1995; Chaney Grove Baptist Church, one year - 1998-1999; Old Field Baptist Church, three years - 2000-2003. He is presently serving as pastor of Zion Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, Timmonsville, SC. He is the first and only pastor since its inception in September 1995-present. Pastor Peoples is very active in the community. He was elected as a member of the Timmonsville Town Council in 1972 and served two four-year terms. He was elected as Mayor of the Town of Timmonsville, SC, in 1993 and served three four-year terms. He presently serves as chairman of the Board of Friends United, Inc., a 501C(3) community development organization. He is also actively involved with a Food Bank Program at Zion Canaan Baptist Church that serves Timmonsville and the surrounding communities. The church's outreach includes the full-time operation of Zion Canaan Child Development Center which touches many families that are in need of the services provided. Pastor Peoples was named Man of the year - South Carolina, a Southeast Leadership Award, on February 12, 2012, in Atlanta, GA. Pastor Peoples believes that for every problem, there is a solution; we just need to work together to find it