Bishop Troy Sawyers graduated from Lee University and is an ordained Bishop through the Church of God.  He has been with Porterville Church of God for 2 years.  He’s been in ministry for 22 years.  He is married to Dawn Renee and has 4 children.

Bishop Troy loves seeing people saved and giving their heart to Jesus and making him Lord of their lives.  He feels the best part about being a pastor is watching his congregation develop into Godly men and women.

Bishop Troy’s favorite scripture is:

James 1:27 - King James Version

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Dawn Sawyers, First Lady, is married to Bishop Troy.  She has been married for 22 years and they have 4 children.  She is the Children’s Director at Porterville Church of God.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Christian Education. She also has her Chaplaincy license.  She has been serving faithfully at Porterville Church of God since December of 2022. 

Dawn was born and raised in the small town of Calhoun, GA.  She moved to Arizona in February of 2015 to do a church plant and pastor in Maricopa, AZ and Payson, AZ.  In December of 2022 she and Bishop Troy moved to Porterville, CA to pastor at PCOG.

Dawn likes to hike and loves being in the outdoors.    She also enjoys crafts and refurbishing furniture. 

As Children’s Director Dawn enjoys reaching the younger generation by inspiring them to become the best version of whom God created them to be.

Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.

Trust is believing for the impossible; that God can move mightily even if we can’t physically see with our own natural eyes.  Trusting is relying on God’s path and way instead of clinging to the pathway of our own decisions which could ultimately lead to destruction.   

Associate Pastor Rev. Jeff Akin is a 3rd generation Church of God Minister.  He received his associate degree from West Coast Christian College – Fresno.  He has a Bachelor of Arts in Bible & Theology from Lee University – Cleveland TN.  He has been a member of Porterville Church of God since June of 2000.  He is married to Shelbie and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren

Rev. Jeff started playing guitar at age 5 and playing in church at 13.  He played with the New Vision Traveling Ensemble at West Coast.  He also played with the Lee University Singers.  He has recorded 2 albums and is a published songwriter.

He is the son of a Church of God pastor and evangelist.  He was saved at age 4, filled with the Holy Ghost at 17 and has been preaching, teaching, playing and singing ever since.

The Word of God is his passion and he loves teaching and sharing the amazing truth of God’s Word.  He has been teaching our Wednesday night Bible study for over 12 consecutive years.  He also enjoys guest speaking at neighboring churches. 

Rev. Jeff loves the Book of John; especially Chapter 1:1-14 and Chapter 14:1-3.  He is a student of Bible prophecy and loves teaching about Old Testament “types and shadows” that point to Christ. 

Caine Sawyers is the Youth Leader for Transformed Youth along with his wife Rebecca.  He is 22 years old.  He is the son of Bishop Troy and Dawn.  He was born and raised in Georgia. He also plays and sings on our worship team.  He has completed CAMS (Calling and Ministry Studies).  He has been at Porterville Church of God for 2 years. 

Caine loves to worship through song and praise.  He loves to lead worship for the Youth Group and to teach them and break down the Word so that they can be strong in faith. 

His favorite scripture is Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.