ABOUT US

Arthur Dilbert was born in Chatham County, in the city of Savannah, Georgia to Arthur Peter Dilbert Sr. and Daisy Mae Wiggs. He was raised in a small house on the West Side of the city. Arthur lived in that house with his parents and eleven siblings for the first twelve years of his life. Arthur’s father Arthur P. Dilbert, Sr. was an Army veteran, a Woodworker and a Longshoreman. Arthur’s mother Daisy Dilbert was a devoted household technician deeply rooted in her faith. Arthur remembers how his mother would anoint him with oil and pray over him daily. Arthur Jr. was baptized at the age of eight years old at First Jackson Park Baptist Church in Savannah. When Arthur’s parents separated, he moved to Rochester, New York with his mother and siblings. Arthur attended Madison High School where he graduated in three years. After his graduation, Arthur returned to Savannah to attend the Savannah Area Vocational Technical School. Arthur completed his studies in Carpentry at Savannah Technical School and he enlisted in the United States Army.

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After being honorably discharged from the Army, Arthur returned to Rochester to be with his mother Daisy. Arthur enrolled in Monroe Community College and he joined Aenon Baptist Church where he served on the Young Adult Auxiliary, the Ushers, Transportation, Male Chorus and much more. With constant praying, bible study, and meditation Arthur finally accepted the “Call to Ministry” and met regularly with Pastor Cherry for counsel and guidance. Arthur was licensed and ordained as a minister of the gospel at Aenon Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor James L. Cherry Sr. Arthur continued his studies at Roberts Wesleyan College earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Religion. With continued prayer, Arthur was led to pursue his Masters of Divinity at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia.

Upon graduating from the DeWitt Proctor School of Divinity and returning to Rochester, New York; Arthur was invited to speak at Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church during their search for a Pastor. Rev. Dilbert served as the Interim Pastor of Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church for 11 years. During his tenure, Pastor Dilbert expanded the church’s community outreach by introducing a Youth Choir, weekly Friday Youth Nights, an Annual Community Day where neighbors and friends were blessed with donations by members, local and national community partners. During Pastor Dilbert’s tenure the church building was named a historical landmark.

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Pastor Dilbert and a team of visionaries came together in December of 2009 to plan a new ministry, the Abundant Life Faith Center. Abundant Life Faith Center, Inc. opened its doors in February of 2010. Pastor Dilbert continues his community outreach at Abundant Life with programs such as Mayor Warren’s Adopt-a-Block Program which employs inner city residents, and the Regent Wade Norwood’s Common Ground Health Program which educates members on how to improve the quality of their lives using exercise, healthy eating, meditation, etc.

Arthur was introduced to his lovely wife Sharon Murrell by his sister Jacquelyn, and he and Sharon have been inseparable ever since. Sharon was born and raised in Rochester, New York with her two sisters. Sharon is the daughter of Samuel and Johnnye Murrell. Arthur was so smitten with Sharon and in awe of her many talents and skills such as teaching Spanish, teaching Art, and singing with her sisters, the Murrell Sisters. Arthur was most impressed by the fact that Sharon had grown up in Calvary Spiritual Church under the leadership of Bishop Elie Granger and that she loved the Lord. Arthur proposed to Sharon, and she said yes! Arthur married Sharon on December 20, 1996. Arthur and Sharon are the proud parents of Samiah Ariel (1999) and Arthur Peter (2001). Samiah and Arthur have been blessed with so many gifts such as acting, dancing, and singing. They are both actively involved in many of the ministries at Abundant Life Faith Center, Inc.