The Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of Tallahassee, Florida has presented a standard, service, and hope to a dark world since 1976. Elder Wender R. Gavin became the pastor of the Progressive Church of Tallahassee, Florida in August of 1977. Elder Gavin's tenure began at a challenging time in the history of the church. He embarked on the awesome task of moving the church forwardHe believed that revival and spiritual renewal began with the Word of God. Therefore, he emphasized the preaching of the true Word of God. He assured the church that if it heeded to the Word that God would bring revival to those who needed spiritual renewal. He made a decision in his life to make a stand and a difference by putting true holiness in the forefront.

Pastor Gavin graduated from Lively Vocational School with a degree in Nursing in 1967. He attended Duke University for open heart surgical training in the early 1970's and later became the first African-American to work on the open heart surgical team in Tallahassee, Florida. Elder Gavin was the owner and manager of Gavin's Cleaning Service from 1963 until 1995. Currently he is the Assistant Director of Progressive Care (a support group ministry) and Director of All in the Family (a ministry that is uniquely designed to enhance and facilitate positive relationships within marriages and families).

Sister Gavin is the President of the National Women's Auxiliary Department, President of the Ministers and Deacons Wives' Guilds, and President of the Lydia Prayer Band. She has directed 20 Women's Prayer Retreats in Tallahassee, Florida since 1992 and seven Women's Conferences since 1997. The Women's Retreats and Conferences have dealt with spiritual topics, life management topics, health topics, and topics dealing with married, single, and teenage women. Her vision is to help women raise their level of womanhood to the highest level in Christ.

Elder and Sister Gavin are the ministry leaders for the Couples' Ministry. This ministry has had a positive impact on husbands and wives and has helped to define their roles within their marriage and has helped couples to build positive relationships.

Elder and Sister Gavin have been married for 46 years. They are the proud parents of three daughters (Wanda, Wendy, and Winifred) and have five grandchildren.