Bishop Earley Dillard was born in Axton, Virginia to the late Jesse and Prudence Dillard.  He grew up in the Martinsville/Henry County area of Virginia and was educated in the Henry County public school system. 

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After graduating high school, Earley Dillard enlisted into the United States Air Force.  His tour of duty included a year in the Republic of Vietnam and Saigon.  While in Amarillo, TX, he received a degree in Aircraft Repair from the Aircraft Tech School.  After serving 4 years in the military and being discharged honorably, he obtained a Professional Truck Driver’s Certificate from the Virginia Carolina Truck Driving School in Martinsville, VA.  Thus, becoming a Professional Truck Driver.  Earley Dillard also engrossed himself in biblical studies at the Virginia Seminary in Lynchburg, Virginia.  In 2006, he graduated with his Doctorate from the School of Bible Theology Seminary and University in Riverside, California.

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At the age of seven, Earley Dillard became a member of Shiloh Way of the Cross Church of Christ (Shiloh WOTCC), under the leadership of its Founder and Pastor, Bishop H. C. Eggleston.  He was baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Between the ages of 15 to 22, he wandered away from God.  Seven years later, he returned and rededicated his life to the Lord.  In 1970, Earley Dillard accepted the call into the ministry.  On March 14, 1972, he preached his first public sermon, “Prayer Is the Answer”.  Minister Dillard served faithfully under Bishop Eggleston, teaching the Teen Sunday School Class, singing on the Adult Choir, serving as President of the Youth Department, and Overseer of the Transportation and Travel Department. In November 1984, due to the passing of Bishop Eggleston (who was also the 3rd Presiding Bishop of the Way of the Cross Church of Christ (WOTCC) Organization), then Elder Dillard, accepted the mantle to carry Shiloh WOTCC forward to higher plains in Christ Jesus.  On June 8, 1985, Elder Dillard was consecrated Pastor of Shiloh WOTCC.  

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In August 1996, Elder Dillard was promoted to the office of Bishop, within the Way of the Cross Church of Christ (WOTCC) Organization.  After becoming Bishop, he was given the duties of becoming the State Bishop of Alaska.  Through the years, he has served on the Executive Board of Bishops, Chairman of the Pastoral Council, Trustee Board Member, Foreign Missions Auxiliary Bishop, Virginia State Diocesan, Bishop over the Way of the Cross Churches in Africa, and the United Kingdom.  In addition, Bishop Dillard served as Secretary of the National Board of Trustees, Auxiliary Bishop of the National Youth for Christ, Vice Chairman of the Pastoral Council, and from 1991-96 President of the National Youth for Christ.  At present, he is an active member of the Apostolic World Christian Fellowship (AWCF) Organization, and the AWCF South East Conference.  

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On July 30, 2021, during the WOTCC Organization’s 77th Holy Convocation (held at the Gaylord Hotel and Resort, National Harbor, Maryland), the Presiding Bishop Alphonzo D. Brooks (5th in Succession) stepped down and appointed the role of Presiding Bishop into the capable hands of Bishop Earley Dillard (6th in Succession).  He is a known World Traveler, visiting, and leaving his apostolic footsteps on every continent including Antarctica.  Earley Dillard is a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, believing and preaching the baptism in Jesus’ name.  He attests his greatest blessing, during his ministry and teachings, has been the spiritual growth of the church.  For this, he is eternally grateful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the call and anointing upon his life. 

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Bishop Dillard married Lady Janice Dodson Dillard on August 21, 1971.  From their union, they have one daughter (Tonia), a son-in-love (Bishop Eric Cannady) and three grandchildren (Lincia Brooke Cannady, Christian Dillard Cannady, and Ashton Dillard Cannady).  His motto: “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:6