Love of music pursued in faith

Hezekiah Sherley III was born in Indio, California and was raised in Clovis from age 10. He attended Clovis High School and graduated with the class of 1990.

link Staff photo: D'Nieka Hartsfield

Hezekiah Sherley III is the pastor of Agape Love Ministries on 1921 2nd St. in Clovis.

Sherley is married to Donetta Sherley. They have two children, Denzell and Dionte Sherley. He has followed in the footsteps of his family’s musical background where his mother, Alma Sherley, was formerly in a popular local band.

Sherley was brought up in the church and has since continued to pursue his love of music within his faith.

“I sing Gospel and so when I sing I will sing for Him”, Sherley says. He is currently promoting a record label through his ministries.

Sherley is the Pastor of Agape Love Ministries in Clovis.

What do you think about Eastern New Mexico?

Growing up in the area I had a pretty good life. I had friends that were like family. I remember when we were younger in school and everyone wanted to be a Wildcat. I think a lot of people who live here like it because of the small town feel. I believe that the town could be more open to growth and advancements for our future generations.

Tell us a story about your childhood?

I remember all of my friends going to different schools but the one thing we all had in common was church. No matter what school you went to our common ground was at church. Also, I remember the Scared Heart dances were big. We would eat lunch in the school cafeteria as opposed to eating out to save our $2 for the dance. The dances were every Friday night from 9 to12. That was one of the highlights of school. It was awesome. At least in our eyes...we thought it was the best thing in the world.

When you were a kid, what did you think you’d be doing as an adult?

To be honest, I thought I was going to be a superstar. The music and entertainment industry has always been a great love of mine. It reared from my family. My mom was a singer. She had a band here in Clovis. She once opened for the Commodores at the Staple Center when we lived in the city. I always aspired to do music. I do gospel. I promote and push God because that’s the life that I live. I still follow my dreams.

Who is your hero and why?

I have a few but I have to say my mom, Alma Sherley. She taught us kids life. She would always tell us no one owes us anything, nothing in the world is free and we have to work for what we want. She taught us that hard work will pay off. She has taken us out of Clovis before so that we could see how other people lived but she taught us that no matter where you live you can still do what you want to do.

Tell us about your greatest individual accomplishment?

That would be my ministry, my church, because it was not something that I set out to do. Never in a million years did I think I would be a pastor. I had a youth pastor by the name of Dolon Silomon that would tell me that I’m going to be a pastor, and I would say “ No I’m not, I’m going to go get a record deal with Motown Records.” But he had such a profound impact on my life. I was about 19 years old when my life begin to change. I am happy today that I was chosen to do what I do.

Who is your favorite entertainer?

Janet Jackson. I think I’ve been to every concert of hers and I’ve had every CD she’s ever put out. My favorite is the self titled “Janet” album.

What is your favorite TV show, past and present?

My favorite TV show from the past is the “The Cosby Show” and Martin. I still watch Martin today and I’ll laugh like it’s something I’ve never seen before. More currently, it was “Scandal” for a while but right now my favorite is Empire.

Tell us about a happy time.

I have a lot of happy times. But when we first opened the church was a very happy time for me. The anticipation started to build when we first found the building then started cleaning up, then we started announcing it and finally April 14, 2007 came and was our first day of service. I was so excited. I was like, “Thank you God, you spoke this to us and it’s happening.”

What’s your favorite part about your job?

Encouraging people. It’s awesome to interact with people and minister hope. I love to be able to encourage people and listen to their testimonies of how God has blessed them.

What do you envision your life being like in 10 years?

I plan for my ministry to be one of the biggest in the country. I plan to take this, what God has given me right here in Clovis, and take it to the ends of the earth. I want everybody I come in contact with to know the Jesus that I know. I want them all to know that they can find peace, happiness and do whatever it is they set their minds to. Ten years from now I plan for the world to know who I am.

— Compiled by staff writer D’Nieka Hartsfield