About Our Pastor

Reverend Cheryl Mills was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1976, she graduated high school and enlisted in the U.S. Navy where she proudly served our country for more than 7 years. While stationed in Charleston, SC she met her husband, our very own Deacon Fredrick Mills of Charleston, SC and they are the proud parents of 4 children, and 7 grandchildren.
In 1982, Reverend Mills gave her life to the Lord and shortly after, her family relocated back to Charleston, SC where she became a member and served on the Usher Ministry at Royal Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Mills was also an employee of the Medical University of South Carolina for over 17 years. In 1992, she along with 9 other families joined Reverence Leroy Bowers to organize El-Shaddai Missionary Baptist Church. During her years at El-Shaddai; Reverend Mills served on many ministries including the Usher Board, the Vice President of the Voice of Power Choir, the Trustee ministry as well as President of the Missionary Board.
In 1997, God called her into the Ministry. In order to prepare, Reverend Mills enrolled and graduated from Morris College School of Theology and in 2000, she was licensed as an Evangelist by Reverend Bowers and the El-Shaddai family.
Sadly, in 2003 God called Reverend Bowers home. A very hard time for the church; Reverend Mills felt there was something on the inside of her that drove her to work harder during the two years El-Shaddai Missionary Baptist Church was without a Pastor. What she did not know was that this driving force would turn into God elevating her even higher.
In 2004, the New Ashley Baptist Association ordained Reverend Mills; but little did she know God will still not through with her yet. In 2005, Reverend Mills answered another call! This was to Pastor El-Shaddai Missionary Baptist Church. In April 2005, the New Ashley Baptist Association installed her as Pastor or EL-Shaddai Missionary Baptist Church.
There have been several ministries that have been birthed since then. In 2010, Pastor Mills founded The Save A Soul, Change the World ministry. This ministry has since fed and clothes thousands of people. God is still not through with the visionary!
In 2012, The Academy at El-Shaddai opened its doors. The Academy enrolls children ages 2 to 5 years old. The Academy is a Trident United Way to Referral for Pre Schools and has been featured in Parents Magazine. The Academy teaches children to live a life in Christ as well as educating them with the fundamentals of Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies, Spanish and Sign Language.
Under Pastor Mills’ leadership, several ministries have been launched; Finance, Hospitality, Media, Children’s Church, W.O.V.E.N., Young Mommies Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Food Bank, El-Shaddai Greeters, El-Shaddai at Pine Crest, and the Renovation and Expansion Committee.
This Fall, E-Seniors will launch- a NO COST home care ministry for seniors.

Under Pastor Mills’ leadership, El-Shaddai continues to grow in leaps and bounds. The Voices of El-Shaddai – a 3 time McDonald’s showcase participant, Young Adult and Children’s Choir, The Anointed Vessels of Praise- a liturgical dance ministry , The Youth Mime ministry, and Community Relations ministry.
In addition to a growing ministry, Pastor Mills is an advocate for children. She’s a spokesperson for the Begin with Books Campaign- a Dolly Parton foundation that promises to put a book in each child’s hand each month from birth to Kindergarten. Other committees include Kindergarten Readiness and Reading Partners.
Pastor Mills, is also an executive board member of the New Ashley Association.

Her favorite Hymn is Hold on to God’s Unchanging Hand, her favorite saying is “God doesn’t make mistakes”, and her favorite food are cheeseburgers.

Though by the grace of God her accomplishments are something to be proud of, Pastor Mills would say her biggest accomplishment which is constantly growing is her relationship with God and being a child of the KING.