PASTOR ROLAND HENDRICKS

Roland worked in Accounting and Business Finance for The Dow Chemical Company. During his career at Dow, he worked in Freeport, Texas and Midland, Michigan. He had the opportunity to implement two versions of SAP during his tenure with Dow. Additionally, he was on the implementation team for the Value Based Information Systems to market and train over 3,000 employees globally on the Business Income Statement and Business Balance Sheet in the United States, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. He later became a Controller Analyst for the Engineering Plastics Business. Afterwards he became the Global Supply Chain Controller. His last position at Dow was the Texas Manufacturing Controller and Finance Director for Dow’s largest integrated manufacturing site in Freeport, which also included LaPorte, Seadrift, Texas City, and Deer Park. He retired after serving Dow for 35 years.

Pastor Hendricks Christian journey began at the Jerusalem Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. E. S. Fields where he served in various positions including Minister of Music, Deacon and Trustee. When he transferred to Midland, Michigan Pastor Hendricks and his family became members of Victorious Believers Ministries Church of God in Christ in Saginaw, Michigan under the leadership of the late Bishop Marvin C. Pryor where he was Music Administrator, Deacon, Trustee, Director of Christian Education and Empowerment Ministries, and Co-Chairman of the $4 million Kingdom Building Project which consisted of over 42,000 square feet with a 1,200 sanctuary, administrative wing, 20 classrooms, and gymnasium.

Pastor Hendricks transferred back to Texas in late 2003. In 2005, he became pastor of the Greater Mount Zion Church (GMZ) in Brazoria, Texas, where the vision is to “Impact the Total Man”. This local church is 97 years old and full of people who love the Lord and love one another. Pastor Hendricks became pastor in 2005 with 46 members. With the help of the Lord, GMZ have grown to over 380 members with over 40 ministries serving children, youth, young adults, adults and golden agers. Pastor Hendricks strives to teach and preach God’s Word to the members of GMZ, so they can be the best disciple of Jesus Christ they can be by reading God’s Word, Praying, and getting involved in some ministries to serve one another.

To expand GMZ into the community, in 2005, Pastor Hendricks and several members of GMZ founded the GMZ Education and Development Center. The vision of the GMZ Education and Development Center is to create strong foundational and life skills for children, young adults and seniors to be self-sustaining citizens in our region. Our mission is to bridge the gap between educational and developmental opportunities by creating programs in a learning environment to increase individual productivity. The programs consist of the Dream Camp for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, College Prep Workshop, GMZ Food Distribution, and much more. The GMZ Education and Development Center partners with companies and organizations such as Dow, BASF, Phillips  66, TDECU Cares Foundation, Community Health Network, Marquis Construction Services, Freeport LNG, ME Global, Chevron Phillips, HEB, Sam Feathers Youth Foundation, MLKCC, Farmers Insurance, Angleton ISD, Columbia-Brazoria ISD, Brazosport ISD, Sweeny ISD, Van Vleck ISD, Bay City ISD, Communities in Schools of Southeast Harris and Brazoria County, Boys & Girls Club of Brazoria County, St. Paul Mission Ministry, Earl & Zenia Shipp Foundation, and The Community Foundation of Brazoria County.

Pastor Hendricks currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for TDECU, Board of Regents at Brazosport College, board member of Sam Feathers Youth Foundation, advisory board member for the Brazoria County Sheriff Department, and advisory board member for the Levi Jordan Plantation. He previously served on the following boards: Sweeny ISD, Salvation Army of Brazoria County, Communities in Schools of Southeast Harris and Brazoria County, SHSU President’s Circle, SHSU College of Business Advisory Board, Sweeny ISD Ministers Advisory Board, Sweeny ISD Diversity Council, and GMZ Education and Development Center.

Pastor Hendricks have dedicated over 40 years to education, serving, volunteering, and mentoring high school students, college students, and young adults to assist them in reaching their full potential. Because of his zeal to make a different in peoples’ lives, he has been awarded several awards such as: MLK Drum Major Award, Boys and Girls Club of Brazoria County Impact Award, Communities in Schools Award, National Association of Black Accountant National Achievement in Industry Award, NAACP of Brazoria County Citizen of the Year, Inducted into the Sam Houston College of Business Hall of Honor, Finance recipients of the Dow Transformation In Action Award, Sweeny District Willing Workers Man of the Year, Kingdom Builders Award, and Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs of Texas.

Pastor Hendricks is married to Jean, and they have two grown children, Ashlyn and Nicholas and many people who they call sons or daughters.