Our Pastor

      Bishop Eddie Lee Hightower was born in Gobler, Missouri to the late Ed and Daisy Hightower.  He later moved to Alton, Illinois where he was raised until he attended Eureka College, receiving a Bachelor degree in Business Administration.  After graduation, he embarked upon several professional development trainings that would have him living in areas such as Chicago, Illinois, Sacramento, Califorina and later Fayetteville, North Carolina where he currently resides.

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During his course of employment he received several trainings such as:  Tom Hopkins Training for Overcoming Objections, Napoleon Hills Training “Think and Grow Rich”, W. Clement Stone Training, “ I feel Healthy, Happy, Terrific”, Z. Zigler Training, “Of the Worlds Greatest Salesperson”, Dale Carnige Training, “Motivational Thinking” which landed him in several career fields of Insurance, Food Services, Senior Account Executives and Troubleshooter for Darden Restaurants Internationally. 

 

While living in North Carolina, he accepted Christ as his savior and began a journey that seems impossible for man but with God, all things are possible to them that believe. He attended Spring Lake MB Church for several years and was ordained a Deacon and then in 1991 the call of ministry was upon his life. In September 1991, he was ordained as a ministered under the leadership of Rev. John McKoy of Spring Lake MB Church, Spring Lake, North Carolina. He served under his leadership until the office of Pastoralship was placed upon him.  On May 5th, 1998 Salem MB Church started out in the living room of Rev. Troy Bragg & his wife, Calvin and Renee Elder & a few faithful followers, the ministry branched out to the Ramada Inn on Highway 53 & stayed there about 2 months. 

 

On July 5th, 1998 Salem MB Church held its first Sunday Service at the new location of 4006 Murchison Road.  Over the next 4 plus months some misunderstandings, difficult times, and situations arose and upon agreement the ministry was looking for a new leader.  Therefore, December 6, 1998, Rev. Eddie Lee Hightower met with a few of the officials and upon agreement, he would lead the church (with 5 stipulations): 

 

1) Noon Day Prayer   2) Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting & Bible Study 7:30pm   3) Sunday School 9:45am

 

4) Sunday Morning Worship 11:15am    5) Tuesday Church Fast Day

 

So with 11 members, 5 of them children, and head over heels in debt, we began a mission that seemed impossible.  In the past 16 years, we’ve faced many obstacles, but have also experienced great success.  God has permitted some 200 plus members currently to be active in NSIM, we’ve purchased the church, land next it, 3 trailer parks, several houses in the community, ¾ of the entire Bowden Road, Brick Duplexes, 17 acres on Bragg Blvd, our 501 C-3 non-profit status, Development of the Immigration Program, Transitional Housing for the Homeless, a name change on October 29th, 2002 from New Salem MB Church to New Salem International Ministries. Philippians 3:13 -14 says to forget those things which are behind and press toward a mark of a higher calling which is in Christ Jesus. As we continual to walk by faith and not by sight it’s our hearts desire to please God in everything that we do and say. 

 

On October 24th, 2014, Pastor Eddie Lee Hightower was ordained and received the office of Bishop  under the International Kingdom Covenant Churches were he resides as the Prelate Bishop over 216 churches nationally and worldwide. On May 22nd, 2015, Bishop Eddie Lee Hightower received his Honorary Doctorate Degree from Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a loving husband and father, but most of all a Pastor that has been given according to God’s heart that will continue to feed the people of God with Knowledge and Understanding. He is an entrepreneur and owner of Advance Behavioral Center, Inc. and Variety Sales in several locations in the Fayetteville, Sanford, Dunn and Surrounding areas.  He is currently affiliated with several organizations locally and nationwide such as: Ordained Bishop for the Network of Churches International, Ordained Elder of the Missionary Baptist Association State and Nationwide, Member of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc. and Head Basketball Coach for Fayetteville Elite Basketball Organization and for Fayetteville Academy High School.  He is a motivator, teacher, preacher, prophet and evangelist that desire to please God in everything he does for without faith, it is impossible to please God.