President

Pastor Marcus E. Cheeks is the fifth Pastor of True Light Missionary Baptist Church.  He was born and raised not far from True Light in Jackson, Mississippi.  Pastor Cheeks holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tougaloo College, a Master of Science Degree from Jackson State University, and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Mississippi.  He served as an Officer in the Mississippi Army National Guard for eleven years.  Education is one of his passions.  By trade, Pastor Cheeks is an educator and has an extensive background in working with high-risk/low-income youth and utilizing federal programs to address their academic and social needs.  He is the former Executive Director of Federal Programs for the State of Mississippi where he served fourteen years as a state administrator.  In this role, Pastor Cheeks received national recognition by leading the National Title I Association in 2015 and 2016.  He was also one of the twenty-five educators selected by the US Department of Education from across the country chosen to be a member of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Negotiated Rulemaking Committee in April 2016.

Having received a call to ministry in 2003, God ordered the steps of Pastor Cheeks to lead True Light in 2006.  Pastor Cheeks believe that a church’s focus should be on growing spiritually.  Through faithful study, dedication to the word, and an intimate daily walk with Jesus Christ, the Lord will use him to glorify His kingdom.  Under his leadership, True Light continues to grow. The Church has stabilized its focus on Christ by adopting a church mission and vision.  True Light is acquiring property surrounding its current location for future growth purposes.  Pastor Cheeks is leading the church into a deeper spiritual walk focused on prayer and fasting.  He is a sound preacher and believes in being a living example of the Word.      ​

Pastor Cheeks is the Senior Vice President of the Jackson District and Congress of Christian Education of Jackson, MS.  He is involved in the State and National Baptist Associations. Pastor Cheeks is community-oriented.  He is a student of the Word and loves to preach and teach the Gospel.  Pastor Cheeks is a writer and is known for sharing weekly devotional messages with his membership.  He often serves as a Guest Columnist with published articles in the Religious Section of the Mississippi Link Newspaper.  Pastor Cheeks have provided a vision into the future for True Light.  A vision focused on fervent prayer, commitment, and faithful service united with our Lord and Savior “One in Jesus.”  Pastor Cheeks are married to DeVonda, his best friend of 24 years.  They have been blessed with three sons.