Pastor "Butch"
& Judy White

  Chester George "Butch" White was born April 5, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the first of nine children, four boys and five girls, born to William and Angie White.  Pastor White was named after both of his grandfathers, but was nicknamed "Butch" at a very early age. Today he continues to go by the name "Butch".

  Since his family made several moves while he was a child, he experienced growing up in different areas of Southern West Virginia.

  In 1963 he graduated from Stoco High School, in Coal City, West Virginia. An education is a great reward for the many years spent studying, but his outstanding reward was received while attending the second grade. In 1953 he met the girl that would later become his wife, Judy Kay Stewart. Judy was the daughter of Raymond and Violet Stewart and was one of ten children.

  Pastor White and Judy were married November 24, 1964. Their first child was born in 1969 and over the years their blessings grew to three girls and two boys. On December 10^th of 1975 Pastor White and Sister Judy gave birth to their fourth and most special child, Lora Lynn. After 4 and 1/2 months of a normal childhood Lora was afflicted with spinal meningitis, which resulted in her being mentally retarded and the left side of her body is partially paralyzed. These challenging times only laid the foundation of a great work GOD was about to perform in the White's lives.

  Pastor White began his spiritual journey on December 6, 1969 when he was saved at Lego Church of Jesus in Lego, West Virginia.  In just a week on December 13, 1969, his wife, Judy was also saved. Together they became soldiers for the Lord.

  Within five years of being saved GOD had put a higher calling on Pastor White's life. GOD called him to preach the gospel. At the age of 29 he started preaching and over the next five years he spent evangelizing throughout Southern West Virginia.

  In 1980, he moved his family to Three Forks Hollow, to help lead a church in Jolo, West Virginia. He spent the next five years preaching at this church.

  Pastor White was a coal miner. While working underground he was involved in several mine collapses. On one particular occasion he sustained severe injuries to his head and neck, while working Fray Mining Company in Virginia. As a result of his injuries he was unable to work for six months. After this he felt led to move to Ohio.

  In 1985, he and his family moved to Bowling Green, Ohio. While living in Ohio Pastor White was employed as a foreman for Bullard Engineering Company.

  During his time in Ohio he preached three years evangelizing in small churches in the northern part of the state.

  In 1988 he returned to West Virginia and continued to evangelize in local churches.

  In 1991 the Lord spoke to Pastor White and told him that he would one day be a Pastor. He held his first church service in the basement of Brother Ronnie Nelson's house in Crab Orchard, West Virginia. There were approximately 5 members in attendance at the first church service.

  In 1992, he made an offer to rent an old storefront building in Lester, West Virginia. The church then moved to Lester and began using the building for Friday night services. The congregation grew from 5 to approximately 20 members during his time at Lester. He pastored there for three years from 1992-1994.

  In 1995, Pastor White began looking for land to build a new church. In his quest to find land he was told of the "Old Friendship Baptist Church" in Sophia West Virginia that was vacant. He made an offer of faith of 25,000 dollars and began to pray. Pastor White's faith was honored and that year he acquired the church and began a major remodeling. "Butch" and his family moved into the Church basement and lived in the Sunday School rooms for two years until the the Church parsonage was built. Today the House Of Prayer has grown to a 125 member congregation.

  In 1996 The House of Prayer Christian Academy was built and opened under the direction of Pastor White. He has been Pastor and School Administrator ever since.

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