Melvin McCleese joined the Providence staff in the spring of 2006 as an assistant pastor, primarily serving in areas of outreach and pastoral care.
    Born and raised in Chesapeake and a graduate of Indian River High School, Melvin served two tours in the U.S. Army as a wheel and track mechanic, repairing “anything that moved” for eight years. It was while serving in the Army that he met his wife, Denise, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force. Melvin and Denise met at a church function in Germany. Two weeks later, while riding the train home from a church service, Melvin heard a startling and distinct audible voice ask him, “When are you going to ask her to marry you?” Deciding to forego dating and focus on serving God together, Melvin began the necessary paperwork, and they were married back in the States five months later.
    Melvin had received the Lord in 1979—in the back seat of a police car, on the way to jail for possession of marijuana. He was stationed in Germany at the time, and had picked up the drugs to resell there. “That’s where I learned to pray,” he says, as he cried out to God for mercy. And mercy is what he received—the judge told him to get out and not let him see him again!
    It was back in Germany that a Jamaican guy confronted him up close and personal with the gospel. “Are you saved, mon? What are you waiting for?” Following up on the promises he made to God in the police car, Melvin began attending an independent Baptist church, where the pastor treated him like a son.
    While stationed in Texas between his two tours in Germany, Melvin became friendly with the guy across the hall who was a Pentecostal, and he subsequently received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When he returned to Germany, his friend gave him a list of churches to check out, some as far as 70 miles away. He began taking the train to check out the churches, and that’s when he met Denise.
    Now married for over 25 years, Melvin and Denise have three sons. Amos is part of a Christian rap group with plans to enroll in music media school. Jacob works at CBN Maintenance Crew. James is a high school student with ambitions of becoming a History Teacher. 
    After relocating back in the area, the McCleeses were looking for a church that was a family, and they found it at Providence. “Here our love for God has increased,” Melvin says. “My family has been blessed; we can depend on the church to be there for us; and we appreciate the heart of prayer.”
    When Melvin says “family,” he means more than just his immediate family. His brothers, Patrick and Curtis, and their families are Providence members and his mother attends when she is able. One more sister-in-law was recently baptized. “Our family motto is passion for God, compassion for His people, and welcoming His presence and power.”
    Melvin has been a Providence elder since 2000. “What I like best about being an elder,” he says, “is being a father—a spiritual father in the church.” He is enrolled at Tidewater Bible College, where he is studying pastoral care.

Contact Melvin.