PETER'S ROCK FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER COGIC
ABOUT PASTOR JOSEPH L. HAWKINS
Pastor Joseph L. Hawkins was born and raised in Lake Charles, LA. He is the thirteenth child of the late Missionary Emma Hawkins and Mr. Harry Hawkins. He grew up attending Brownsville C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of the late Bishop O.B. Pete, Sr.
After graduating high school in 1972, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and his first duty station was Columbus AFB, Mississippi. He meritoriously served twenty-one years, seventeen days and fifteen hours retiring as a Master Sergeant in July 1993. Pastor Hawkins accepted Christ as his personnel Savior in January 1975 under the late Superintendent George T. Copprue, at the 15th Street C.O.G.I.C, Columbus, MS. In April 1975 he preached his first sermon. Upon retiring from the Air Force he spent three years as an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp (AFROTC) Instructor at Tupelo High School, Tupelo, MS. During his first year as an instructor, he assisted African American students in organizing the African American Creative Youth Organization (AACYO) and sponsored the first Tupelo High School Black History Program in February 1994. He spent three years as an instructor and impacted many youth who continues to stay in contact with him today. Pastor Hawkins Christian journey began in January 1975 under the late Superintendent George T. Copprue, at the 15th Street C.O.G.I.C, Columbus, MS. His ministry accomplishments and service includes: District Sunday School Superintendent for the Lexington District of the Mississippi Northern C.O.G.I.C. Jurisdiction (1995-1996). Founder and Pastor, Ft. Amador C.O.G.I.C., Ft. Amador, Republic of Panama (1979-1981); Ordained as an Elder 1980 by Bishop H. Dawkins, Jurisdictional Bishop, Republic of Panama; District Evangelist for the Northwestern District of the Colorado C.O.G.I.C. Jurisdiction (1984-1987); Pastor and founder, Woensdrecht Gospel Sevice, Woensdretch Air Base the Netherlands (1987-1988); Pastor of Worlington C.O.G.I.C., Worlington, England (1988-1990). In March 1995, while serving as an AFROTC Instructor, he was elevated to Pastor of Peter’s Rock Temple C.O.G.I.C., Starkville, MS by Bishop T.T. Scott, prelate, Mississippi Northern Jurisdiction C.O.G.I.C. Under his pastoral leadership, Peter’s Rock saw great growth as a new worship facility was built within nine months of Pastor Hawkins' leadership.
Through the God given vision, the ministry began to grow as buildings and properties were purchased. Today Peter’s Rock houses a food pantry, after school program, a 10,000 square foot Life Center, and many ministries. He also served as the producer of Peter’s Rock first album “Standing In The Need” which was released in August 2004. In 2019, the church name was changed to Peter’s Rock Family Worship Center C.O.G.I.C. In 2005, he started a ministry in Macon, MS thus Peter’s Rock Macon was born. Today it is a thriving church under the leadership of his spiritual son, Pastor Michael Jones. Because Bishop Scott saw the leadership skills in Superintendent Hawkins, in October 1995, Bishop asked him to serve with the Jurisdiction Finance Team. In March 1996, Bishop Scott asked him to serve as the first Chief Adjutant of the Jurisdiction. As a result an Adjutant Corp was organized. In March 1997, Pastor Hawkins was assigned as Superintendent to the newly formed Starkville District, consisting of 9 churches and continued to serve as the Jurisdiction Adjutant and the Episcopal Adjutant to Bishop Scott. In 2001, Bishop Scott appointed him to serve as the Jurisdiction Sunday School Superintendent. As Sunday School Superintendent he developed a Jurisdiction training curriculum for Sunday School workers and many workers became certified teachers. Because of his connection with Sunday School, the International Sunday School Superintendent asked him to serve as conductor of the International Sunday School Department AIM Convention Morning Glory Worship Service (2001-2019). He was also appointed as the International Sunday School Regional Superintendent for Region One (MS/LA). In 2014 Bishop Scott reassigned him back to the Superintendent of the Starkville District. He was blessed to have served Bishop T.T. Scott for twenty-three years until Bishop transitioned in 2020. In 2021, he was asked by Bishop William Dean, Jr. to continue serving as District Superintendent of the Starkville District, but also assist him in the position of Administrative Assistant, overseeing the Starkville, Columbus and Tupelo Districts. Pastor Hawkins civic accomplishments includes: Outstanding Young Man of America (1981); Starkville Man Of the Year (2000). Serves as a Chaplain on the Starkville, MS Police Department since 2016-2024. His military achievements includes being awarded the Military Meritorious Award and many other United States Air Force Awards and Recognition Certificates.
He was married to the late Mrs. Gloria Hawkins for 46 years until her transition in 2020. He is the father of three children, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is currently married to the beautiful Mrs. Leanoria Mason Hawkins, who has worked in the music ministry since 1997.
Pastor Hawkins life and preaching has impacted many people across the nation and the world. He loves people and one of his motto he lives by is “treat people right," instilled in him by Bishop T.T. Scott.
After graduating high school in 1972, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and his first duty station was Columbus AFB, Mississippi. He meritoriously served twenty-one years, seventeen days and fifteen hours retiring as a Master Sergeant in July 1993. Pastor Hawkins accepted Christ as his personnel Savior in January 1975 under the late Superintendent George T. Copprue, at the 15th Street C.O.G.I.C, Columbus, MS. In April 1975 he preached his first sermon. Upon retiring from the Air Force he spent three years as an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp (AFROTC) Instructor at Tupelo High School, Tupelo, MS. During his first year as an instructor, he assisted African American students in organizing the African American Creative Youth Organization (AACYO) and sponsored the first Tupelo High School Black History Program in February 1994. He spent three years as an instructor and impacted many youth who continues to stay in contact with him today. Pastor Hawkins Christian journey began in January 1975 under the late Superintendent George T. Copprue, at the 15th Street C.O.G.I.C, Columbus, MS. His ministry accomplishments and service includes: District Sunday School Superintendent for the Lexington District of the Mississippi Northern C.O.G.I.C. Jurisdiction (1995-1996). Founder and Pastor, Ft. Amador C.O.G.I.C., Ft. Amador, Republic of Panama (1979-1981); Ordained as an Elder 1980 by Bishop H. Dawkins, Jurisdictional Bishop, Republic of Panama; District Evangelist for the Northwestern District of the Colorado C.O.G.I.C. Jurisdiction (1984-1987); Pastor and founder, Woensdrecht Gospel Sevice, Woensdretch Air Base the Netherlands (1987-1988); Pastor of Worlington C.O.G.I.C., Worlington, England (1988-1990). In March 1995, while serving as an AFROTC Instructor, he was elevated to Pastor of Peter’s Rock Temple C.O.G.I.C., Starkville, MS by Bishop T.T. Scott, prelate, Mississippi Northern Jurisdiction C.O.G.I.C. Under his pastoral leadership, Peter’s Rock saw great growth as a new worship facility was built within nine months of Pastor Hawkins' leadership.
Through the God given vision, the ministry began to grow as buildings and properties were purchased. Today Peter’s Rock houses a food pantry, after school program, a 10,000 square foot Life Center, and many ministries. He also served as the producer of Peter’s Rock first album “Standing In The Need” which was released in August 2004. In 2019, the church name was changed to Peter’s Rock Family Worship Center C.O.G.I.C. In 2005, he started a ministry in Macon, MS thus Peter’s Rock Macon was born. Today it is a thriving church under the leadership of his spiritual son, Pastor Michael Jones. Because Bishop Scott saw the leadership skills in Superintendent Hawkins, in October 1995, Bishop asked him to serve with the Jurisdiction Finance Team. In March 1996, Bishop Scott asked him to serve as the first Chief Adjutant of the Jurisdiction. As a result an Adjutant Corp was organized. In March 1997, Pastor Hawkins was assigned as Superintendent to the newly formed Starkville District, consisting of 9 churches and continued to serve as the Jurisdiction Adjutant and the Episcopal Adjutant to Bishop Scott. In 2001, Bishop Scott appointed him to serve as the Jurisdiction Sunday School Superintendent. As Sunday School Superintendent he developed a Jurisdiction training curriculum for Sunday School workers and many workers became certified teachers. Because of his connection with Sunday School, the International Sunday School Superintendent asked him to serve as conductor of the International Sunday School Department AIM Convention Morning Glory Worship Service (2001-2019). He was also appointed as the International Sunday School Regional Superintendent for Region One (MS/LA). In 2014 Bishop Scott reassigned him back to the Superintendent of the Starkville District. He was blessed to have served Bishop T.T. Scott for twenty-three years until Bishop transitioned in 2020. In 2021, he was asked by Bishop William Dean, Jr. to continue serving as District Superintendent of the Starkville District, but also assist him in the position of Administrative Assistant, overseeing the Starkville, Columbus and Tupelo Districts. Pastor Hawkins civic accomplishments includes: Outstanding Young Man of America (1981); Starkville Man Of the Year (2000). Serves as a Chaplain on the Starkville, MS Police Department since 2016-2024. His military achievements includes being awarded the Military Meritorious Award and many other United States Air Force Awards and Recognition Certificates.
He was married to the late Mrs. Gloria Hawkins for 46 years until her transition in 2020. He is the father of three children, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is currently married to the beautiful Mrs. Leanoria Mason Hawkins, who has worked in the music ministry since 1997.
Pastor Hawkins life and preaching has impacted many people across the nation and the world. He loves people and one of his motto he lives by is “treat people right," instilled in him by Bishop T.T. Scott.
