Reverend Dr. Cleophus W. Atkins, Sr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama. At an early age his family moved to Rochester, New York, where he enjoyed and shared his life with his five sisters and three brothers. Rev. Atkins; oldest boy of his parents, the late Deacon Bill Atkins and the late Deaconess Ada Atkins; was very active in the Salem Missionary Baptist Church, where his Uncle, Rev. L.T. Mack, was Pastor.

He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School, earning a New York State Regents Diploma. He began his college education at Howard University, Washington, D.C., being accepted directly into the 5-year College of Pharmacy program, where he graduated with a pharmacy degree. With the help of the Lord he passed the state and national pharmacy board exams, thus Cleophus W. Atkins, became Doctor Cleophus W. Atkins. He has also attended and received training at the U.N.C - Chapel Hill, American University (D.C.), Washington Baptist Seminary (D.C), and Colgate Theological Seminary - Rochester, N.Y. His post graduate areas of study included: church admin. Christian education, and counseling in crisis mediation/intervention.

Rev. Atkins met his now wife Deborah and they both became members of the Isle of Patmos Baptist Church. He was considered a faithful and sincere member, serving as a trustee, a teacher (Baptist Training Union), organizer on the audio/video committee; J.M. Woody Choral Ensemble; the drama club; Thursday night bible study; and prayer band. He accepted his call to the Ministry and shortly thereafter he was licensed under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. George B. Rogers.

For a time in the 1980's, due to the severe illness of his parents, his family moved to Rochester, New York. He was ordained by the Rochester Ministers' Alliance, under Rev. Tom Smith, Pastor of the Salem Missionary Baptist Church. He became involved with many civic and Christian affairs, and was awarded a number of civic and Christian awards and honors. He served as government liaison for the Rochester Minister Baptist Alliance and also served as a board member to the DePaul Mental Health Center, a major community outreach center. He is an international evangelist, speaker, expert panelist, author, consultant and patent holder.

Employed as Pharmacy Manager, Rite Aid Corporation, and while fulfilling his calling, he has found time to serve on the Newsletter Committee (former chairman) of the Ministers' Conference (Washington, D.C.), he is the Committee Chairman, Humanity Fest, Inc, a Mentor (Mentors Inc.), a Sponsor of the D.C.-Kenya Exchange (student exchange), former Drill Instructor -Jr. R.O.T.C. Drill Team, Eastern H.S. (D.C.).

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he served as Co-Pastor of Evangel Missionary Baptist Church with his late brother in the ministry, Rev. Elijah McKnight. He then returned to his 'family' church, the Isle of Patmos Baptist Church for a short time. Rev. Atkins and his family then united with the Greater Tried Stone Baptist Church where he served as Assistant Minister to Rev. Dr. Daly Barnes, Pastor.

After the installation of Dr. Sammie Glass as the new pastor of the Greater Tried Stone B.C., he accepted the call to become the second pastor of St. Judah Spiritual Baptist Church, Washington, D.C. In June of 2002, the Lord called Rev. Atkins to organize the Restoration Christian Fellowship Church, Washington, D.C. Beginning in his home; the Church now worships at Charles Houston Elementary School, Washington, D.C. He gives all honor and glory to the One who has called him out of the Darkness into the marvelous.