The members of Grant Chapel AME, Wichita have welcomed new pastors, Rev. LeSean Tarkington and wife Johnetta Tarkington. The couple replace Rev. Carieta Cain Grizzell and her husband Rev. Martin Grizzell who were reassigned by AME Bishop T. Larry Kirkland during the denomination’s annual convention this fall.
Rev. LeSean Tarkington received his Master of Divinity from Interdenominational Theological Center. He is also a licensed funeral director and a non-profit management faith consultant for several top companies. Additionally, Rev. LeSean is the spiritual mentor to recording artist Mindless Behavior and several other professional athletes and artists. He is known as a dynamic community leader and forward-thinker with the ability to unite communities.
He has appeared on television shows such as “Sister Sister, “Saved by the Bell” and most recently in the top-grossing film, “Straight Outta Compton.” Tarkington is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men of America and international vice-president of the Young Adult Department of the AME Church.
Rev. Johnetta Tarkington, an accomplished musician and hospital chaplain, is also a graduate of the Interdenominational Theological Center and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She was the former coordinator of the Women in Ministry in the Southern California Conference of the AME Church.