Email: deborahgenerationsc@yahoo.com

Pastor Teresa L. Bufford is a native of Greenville, SC.  She is the eldest of three children born to Ishman Tate and Ernestine (Lee) Helliean.  She received her early childhood education in the Greenville County Schools.  A graduate of Southside High and Greenville Technical College, Pastor Bufford continued her education as follows: studied Sociology at Lander University, Greenwood, SC; graduate of Anderson University, Anderson, SC where she received degrees in Religion (AA) and Psychology (BA).  She received the Master of Ministry degree from Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina.  Along with being God’s anointed servant, Pastor Bufford is the loving wife to Bishop Bruce Bufford Sr.  She is also a loving mother and grandmother. 

In September 1977, Pastor Bufford had a personal experience with the Lord in which she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.  In 1986, she yielded to the call to preach the gospel.  She was licensed through the Piedmont Manor Baptist Church, Greenville, South Carolina, under the leadership of the Reverend Sylvester Golden.

On June 2, 1996, being Spirit-filled and Spirit led, Pastor Bufford founded the Bethel Full Gospel Baptist Church, where she serves as Pastor.  The church opened its doors with no committed members, but with the heart of God---“whosoever will, let him and her come.”  The Bethel Full Gospel Baptist Church is a “ministry of discipleship” with a mission to “Touch Lives With the Word of God.”

Former membership with Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship in which she served as South Carolina State Overseer of Social Action.  September 1998, the Lord added to the work of Pastor Bufford, giving her the mandate to birth “The Deborah Generation” Women’s Conference.  Her mandate is to bring women together annually to equip them for spiritual warfare.  The first conference ministered to approximately 100 women yielding totally to the work of the Lord.  The Lord has added to the conference annually with participants from SC, NC, GA, VA and Fla.  The conference is held annually during Memorial Day weekend.  Pastor Bufford has proven to be a leading mentor of women from all walks of life.  She reminds women that “you are fearfully and wonderfully made” and that “God has empowered women and men to walk in a life of abundant living, the power of the Holy Ghost and to always utilize their God--given power over all the power of the enemy.”    

Fully established in the “Gift of Faith”, Pastor Bufford has proven that nothing is impossible with God.  Through life’s stresses and disappointments, Pastor Bufford finds strength, comfort and encouragement from the Holy Scriptures, living by the motto…

”I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me” (Philippians 4:13).