Bishop Leroy Divinity, Jr. accepted his call to the preaching ministry in 1989. After completing his graduate studies in public policy at the Harvard University School of Government, he returned to his home church, New Salem Church of Christ (Holiness) USA in Marrero, LA where he became a youth minister.

In 1993, he began his first pastorate at the Christ Temple COCHUSA in New Orleans. In 1998, Eld. Divinity was appointed to pastor Midway Church of Christ (Holiness) in Folsom, LA where he currently serves.

In 2008, Presiding Prelate Bishop Vernon E. Kennebrew appointed Pastor Divinity as District Chairman of the Fifth District of the Southwestern Diocese of the Church of Christ (Holiness). As District Chairman, he serves as the Bishop’s special assistant by providing oversight to COCHUSA congregations in Jefferson, Orleans, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and East Baton Rouge Parishes.

In 2011, Divinity launched a Southwestern Diocese satellite campus of the Christ Missionary & Industrial College (CM&I). Located in Jackson, MS, CM&I is a K-12 private school and accredited Bible College which confers associates and bachelor’s degrees to degree seeking students. Since 2011, more than 55 students have taken courses through the satellite campus or have received bachelor’s degrees. Bishop Divinity’s ministry mission statement is to “shepherd people to and through transformative life changes to bring them to God’s personal best.”
No stranger to hard work, Bishop Divinity has served in many capacities within COCHUSA, including: COCHUSA National Correspondence Secretary (2016 to 2021); Coordinator of the National Church Health Initiative or “COCHUSA @ ITS BEST” (2016-present); Program Coordinator, National Brotherhood Ministries (2012-2017); COCHUSA National Recording Secretary (2004 to 2008); Program Coordinator, National Sunday School & HYM (2008 to 2012); President, District 5 Sunday School and HYM, (1994 to 2000); President, District 5 Brotherhood Men’s Ministry (1992 to 2004).
In addition to his work in the ministry, Bishop Divinity is President and Founder of the Paraclete Consulting Group Inc. (PCG). PCG is a consulting firm which serves nonprofit organizations. Bishop Divinity demonstrates a particular expertise with faith-based and emerging organizations in the social and community development sectors. He assists nonprofits of various sizes in developing strategic plans, accessing funds through grant writing, assessing organizational structure, and evaluating programs. He also provides trainings to boards in key roles and responsibilities. Bishop Divinity is the former Director of Programs for the Mirabeau Family Learning Center and played a major role in its development as a startup nonprofit.

Bishop Divinity is married to Mrs. Pamella Burkhalter. Together, they have four children: Israel, Leroy III “Trey,” Antonia “Toni,” and Deborah.

Bishop Divinity succeeds Bishop Vernon E. Kennebrew as Presiding Prelate of the Southwestern Diocese and will be consecrated during the 125th National Convention of the Church of Christ (Holiness) USA and it’s Auxiliaries, in Birmingham, AL, July 2022.