As a lifelong resident of Benton Harbor, Michigan, he has been affiliated with the Church of God In Christ since birth. He grew up and received his spiritual teachings at the Community Church of God In Christ under the tutelage of the late Bishop Nathaniel Wells Sr., lovingly known as Papa Wells.
Pastor Burton received his formative education in the Benton Harbor School District where he graduated in 1970. He received an Associate of Arts Degree from Ferris State University in 1973. He also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Counseling and an Associate’s Degree in Theology from the International Seminary located in Plymouth, Florida.
During his study of the Word, the Lord revealed to him Acts 3:19 and Revelation 7:17. The revelation of these scriptures propelled him into continued purpose as he stepped out on faith and established his own church in August 1988, naming it Refreshing Fountains Outreach Ministries Mission C.O.G.I.C.
Known as “the basement church”, Refreshing Fountains thrived and grew in membership in his home for 5 years. Dedicating his life to winning souls for Christ and living by the Word of God by example, Pastor Burton stepped out on faith again and led his members to march around a parcel of land at 175 South Euclid Ave in Benton Harbor, MI… seven times which is God’s perfect number. And in 1994, that land became the physical manifestation of the current building for Refreshing Fountains.
And the work continued. In July 2001, Pastor Burton received a vision from the Lord to start a community outreach center entitled Genesis Outreach Development, Inc. (a Non-Profit 501C 3). Under this initiative the following outreach programs were established: Life Skills, Candace Daughters of Royalty, Power Mentoring, Doll House, Adam’s Place, Food Pantry, Christian Academy and Kidz Discovery. Some of the programs are currently in an infancy state while others have grown to full maturity in purpose.
In addition to serving as pastor of Refreshing Fountains, he has held several titles over the years within the Church of God In Christ. Pastor Burton was elevated to Superintendent of the “Soul Winners District” in 2003.
He has served as Secretary of Western Michigan Jurisdiction’s Pastors and Elders Council; assisted as a teacher with Dean Chaney at the WMJ Bible College in conjunction with International Seminary, later becoming the president after Dean Chaney’s passing and then as Chairman of the Ordination Board.
In December 2019, Bishop Nathaniel W. Wells, Jr., Jurisdictional Prelate and General Board Member appointed him as an Administrative Assistant of the Western Michigan Jurisdiction’s Southern Region serving sixteen churches.
Pastor Burton is a driven community activist and impassioned advocate, who builds alliances, fights for issues that affect the quality of life for people, and works continuously to make communities stronger. He has served his community as the President of the Ministerial Alliance for 10 years as well as a member of the former Governor of Michigan’s (Jennifer Granholm) Task Force Committee. In addition, he has served with the NAACP and Habitat for Humanity. As a member of the Board of the Benton Manor Consumer Housing Cooperative, he has worked to serve people living in over 150 units for 40 years and currently operates as the President. He has been a Rotarian for eighteen years and served a one- year stint as President; as well as, participating on numerous other boards and organizations.
Pastor Burton was born in Hughes, Arkansas on January 28, 1952 to Hal and Dorothy Burton. A devoted husband and loving father, he and his wife, Vivian, have been married over 45 years and are the proud parents of two adult children and four grandchildren.