Meet Our Pastor
Mariko T. Billups
A Shepherd's Heart
Mariko Tyshonne Billups was born the eldest son of Raymond Spivey and Jackie Billups on September 21, 1975, in Monroe, Louisiana. He represents a third generation of preaching in his maternal family. From very humble upbringings, he matriculated in the Monroe City School system and is a 1993 graduate of Neville High School. Shortly after completing high school, he acknowledged his call to ministry and preached his first sermon December 1994 at the Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana under the leadership of his uncle and mentor, Rev. Oliver Billups, Jr.
This is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in his temple. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. The Lord is everlasting God; the Creator of all the ends of the Earth.
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Realizing the importance of preparation for ministry, Rev. Billups enrolled at Louisiana College. During his time at Louisiana College Rev. Billups was involved in various campus and church ministries, such as Baptist Student Union, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Intramural Sports Advisory Council, and served as Youth Minister at Mount Olivet Baptist Church. In 1998, Rev. Billups graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion with a minor in Marketing and Management.
Inspired to continue his religious studies, Rev. Billups enrolled at the Morehouse School of Religion at ITC in Atlanta, Georgia where he earned a Master of Divinity Degree with a concentration in Homiletics. While satisfying his requirements at the Morehouse School of Religion, Rev. Billups served as an instructor for the National Baptist Student Union Retreat, member of the Baptist Student Fellowship, Homiletics Club, Ambassador and Keynote speaker for the annual Conference on Ministry for prospective students, and as Youth Minister at the Forest Chapel Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Jimmy Gipson, Sr.
In October 2004, Rev. Billups was elected pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Blythewood, South Carolina where he served faithfully for three years. On January 30, 2008, the members of the King Solomon United Baptist Church voted to elect Rev. Mariko T. Billups Pastor. Through the leadership of Rev. Billups, King Solomon experienced tremendous growth as well as the revitalization and implementation of numerous ministries.
In June 2016, after much fasting and prayer, being led by the Holy Spirit Rev. Billups resigned as Pastor of King Solomon to organize and found Breakthroughs Church. In the short time since its inception, Rev. Billups and the Breakthroughs Church continues to experience the favor of God and witness the work of the Holy Spirit.
Rev. Billups has developed a history of serving in various positions throughout the years; however, he truly values his position as Pastor/Teacher of Breakthroughs Church in Jacksonville, Florida, the husband of Keisha Anderson Billups, the father of Jacolbe, Nyah, and London and the friend to so many. Rev. Billups’ inspiration for ministry is “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”.
