Bio

Houston Cunningham

Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College (1968-1970) / Basketball

Houston Cunningham played for legendary Coach Bob Weathers on the two teams that won consecutive Mississippi Association of Junior Colleges South Division and state titles. During Cunningham's first season (1968-69), the team boasted a 24-game winning streak. The next year, he became the first African-American basketball team captain and led the team to a 20-4 season. He was named Most Valuable Player and secured All-State honors. He also scored the most points in the South Division game (33) and the most points in the state championship game (20 points). Also, that same year, Cunningham had a 24.7-point scoring average. His most memorable game was against Meridian Community College, where he scored 40 points — hitting 20 of 26 shots with no free throws.

After Gulf Coast, Cunningham attended the University of Southern Mississippi on a basketball scholarship. After working for South Central Bell for more than 16 years, he was called to a different career. "The Lord called me away from my job to become a pastor in 1988. When I told people that I was leaving such a good job without really knowing how things were going to work out for me as a minister, they were surprised. I stepped out on faith and have been successful."

His success included founding Green Pastures Christian Ministries in Moss Point (now New Covenant Community Ministries). He is also active with the Home of Grace for men, the Haven for women, Teen Challenge and prison ministries at South Mississippi Correctional Institute in Leakesville, where he regularly teaches Bible studies. In 2003, he was consecrated as Bishop, a ministry that has additional responsibilities and opportunities. In 2010, as part of an ongoing mission, he visits Kenya each year to minister and participate in youth ministry.

Cunningham credits Gulf Coast for developing his character, self-discipline and leadership abilities. "The years I spent at the Perkinston Campus were two of the best years of my life. It was a time of great changes — cultural and racial — that offered me an opportunity to begin learning what leadership is all about. If it had not been for Coach Weathers and my instructors pushing me to do more, I would not be where I am today."

In addition, Cunningham serves as a Moss Point city alderman and regional overseer for the Fellowship of International Churches. Married to the former Claudine Knowles, they have four children (three of whom attended MGCCC) and 10 grandchildren.