Pastor Jerry L. Burns was awarded his ministerial credentials in 1970 after receiving an Associates Degree in Apostolic Studies from Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota.

He, and his wife Beth, married in September of 1971. After serving as evangelists for one year they were appointed as Foreign Missionaries to Venezuela, South America in October of 1972. While in Venezuela they were blessed with two children – Jerry Lee, Jr. and Faith Suzanne.

After one term of service in Venezuela they moved to the Dominican Republic where they served until 1987. While in the Dominican Republic the Lord blessed them with another child, Amber Renee. In 1987 they moved to St. Louis, Missouri and served at the World Evangelism Center - the world-wide headquarters of the United Pentecostal Church International. Bro. Burns served as the Director of Purchasing, involved in the area of cost control and Stewardship coordination.

In 1996 the Burns’ returned to the Foreign Mission Division as International Evangelists. Bro. Burns formed the Multimedia Ministries Department of the Foreign Missions Division and over the next 6 years produced more than 30 Multimedia Projects promoting the work of our UPCI Missionaries.

Since 1972  Bro. Burns has visited and ministered in 64 countries and is bi-lingual in Spanish/English. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business  and additional diplomas in Computer Programming, Cost Accounting, Public Relations, and Marketing. He is a licensed Private Pilot, with an Instrument Rating, and used his own aircraft extensively on the Foreign Mission Field. Bro. and Sis. Burns are accomplished singers and have recorded more than a half dozen Gospel Recording Projects.

 
In June of 2003 the Burns’ were installed as Pastors of Living Word Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where they currently reside.

Pastor Burns serves as the District Superintendent of the Texico District UPCI and is a past Chairman of the Veterans of Foreign Missions Association (VFMA) of the United Pentecostal Church International.