Pentecostal Temple C.O.G.I.C

First Lady Darlene Echols

        First Lady, Echols was born in Virginia Beach, VA, to Pastor Frank L. and District Missionary Geraldine Smith. She  begin singing at an early age, and as a teenager devoting her life to the will of the Lord by accepting Christ as her Lord and Savior.    As an annointed lead voice Sis. Echols sang with her church choir, "The New Hope COGIC Evangelistic Choir". This choir is well known even today for its harmony and melodies, and is an intricate part of the outreach ministry of New Hope COGIC.

         Sis. Echols has sung with many prominent artists such as John P. Kee, Darryl Coley, Bobby Jones, Mattie Moss Clark, Ricky Payton (Jurisdiction Choir, New Bethel COGIC- Church It Up), Danny McCrimmon (Remnant) and many others. She has recorded with the New Hope COGIC choir, Washington, DC Jurisdiction choir, and has sung background with many other recordings.

      Sis. Echols has sung before such prominent dignitaries as President Bill Clinton, Former Presiding Bishop C.D. Owens, International Supervisor Willie Mae Rivers, and National Council of Negro Women Chairman Dr. Dorothy Height, The Jurisdictional Bishops Crudup and Howard and Mother Spears among many.

         Sis. Echols has been asked to sing on many occasions and has sung under the annointing of the Lord, influencing lives with the mighty power of God. Marrying her sweetheart, Elder Dennis Echols, she has joined with him as a help-meet in the ministry of Pentecostal Temple COGIC as her annointed voice sings the praises of God every Sunday. She has two wonderful children who are very important in her life, Jessica, and Harold.