Pastor Pearlie Shelton lives and was reared in Gainesville, Florida. She is the daughter of the late Superintendent Hugh and Mother Ella Anderson. She was saved under the pastorate of her father at the age of twelve. She enjoys being saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost and truly loves the Lord. She is the wife to Deacon McArthur Shelton, I. and has three sons, McArthur, II, Vernon and Lexley. Pastor Shelton is the Co-Founder of Upper Room of Greater Gainesville Church of God in Christ, a ministry that began in her living room on September 24, 2000. It has grown from twenty to hundreds of members.

Pastor Shelton has served in many areas of ministry within the church. She has served as Usher, Pastor’s Aide Chairperson, Praise and Worship Leader, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Band President and Teacher, President of the Missionary Board and Women’s Ministry President.

Presently, Pastor Shelton is a faithful and loyal member of Florida Central Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction under the leadership of Bishop Edward Robinson, Sr. and Jurisdictional Mother Mildred L. Eason. She serves as the District Missionary for the Greater Gainesville District. Additionally, on the Jurisdictional Level, she is on the Jurisdictional Mother’s Executive Board, she serves as the Jurisdictional Chairlady for the Young People Willing Worker, and she is the Dean of the Missionary and Auxiliary Institute for the Women’s Department for the Jurisdiction.

Pastor Shelton holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and graduated with a double major in Literature and Communications from the University of North Florida. She is currently working on a Masters degree in Educational Leadership at Florida Atlantic University. A former high school English teacher at her alma mater, she is currently a dean of students.

Throughout the North Central Florida Community, she serves as an Executive Board Member for People Against Violence Enterprises, Inc. (P.A.V.E.), member of East Gainesville Initiative (E.G.I.) through Santa Fe Community College. She serves as co-host to a weekly radio broadcast every Sunday afternoon in the North Central Florida Community. As an invited guest “In the Pastor’s Corner”, Pastor Shelton has written for The Guardian, a local newspaper in the Gainesville area.

Pastor Shelton also enjoys reading, writing, going to church and spending time with her family.