About Us
A Family Tradition in Gospel Music
The Pickering Ministries started in 1944, in their great-grandfather's church, located in Allentown, PA - with the grandparents and father of Max, Sharon, Don and Dean. Traveling throughout the United States in full time evangelism from 1957 through 1970. In 1986, Max and Dean felt the call to continue on the road where their Dad left off and has been on the road ever since. Sharing the Gospel through music to see souls saved, has been their reason for the continuing of the ministry.
The Pickering Family
Max ~ Baritone
Max is the baritone vocal, Manager, M/C, booking agent and the senior of the group with over 60 years traveling and singing experience. Max traveled full time with his Mom, Dad and siblings in full time evangelism from 1957 – 1970 and continues singing weekends to date. Max has been married to his lovely wife Rhonda since 1974. They have 3 grown kids and have 4 grandkids. Max loves being Pawpaw, enjoys singing for the Lord, motor home getaways and riding motorcycles.
Sharon ~ Alto
Sharon started singing at the age of 3, by the age of 6, the family was traveling full time in Evangelistic work. They held revivals and concerts for 12 years. Sharon was homeschooled until attending Seminole State College. She was married for 31 years to Dallas Childers until God called him home in 2016. They have one daughter and a future son-in-law with one grand fur baby. In Sharon's spare time she enjoys attending concerts, reading and watching movies. Despite what Max says, Sharon doesn't need the piano bench to sing anymore
Debe ~ Soprano
Debe is the oldest of 5 children, born to a pastor in the Church of God. She was active in the music department, singing with several groups. Debe married into the Pickering family in 1974, to Don. They have 2 sons, Dony and Kevin. Dony is married to Erin and Kevin is married to Becca. Debe and Don have 2 grandkids; Dylan and Hailey. Debe has sang the soprano part for the family since 1986.
Dean ~ Piano/Sound
Starting at the age of 7, playing the drums for the family ministry and later on learning how to play other instruments such as the bass guitar, steel guitar and piano. Dean is currently the piano player for The Pickerings and the Mark V Quartet. He has been involved in ministry for most all of his life. At an early age, he found a passion for mixing sound and doing studio engineering which he now does for the family, the quartet and several others. Between production and installation with his company and working with many national artists along with the family and the Quartet, he stays quite busy.
Don ~ Bass Guitar
Don grew up on the road with his family in full time ministry and at age 14 started playing the bass guitar for the family. Married to Debe and have two children, Dony and Kevin, and two grandchildren. In 1986 when the family felt the call to return to the road , Don did not hesitate to answer the call placed in his heart. With Debe having that same call they began to travel with Debe singing and Don playing the bass .
Erma ~ "Momma Pickering"
Mom...she was 6' 3" and now is 3' 6"...just kidding...
Mom Pickering married Roland and they had 4 children; Max, Sharon, Don and Dean. Traveling full time on the road from 1957 to 1970 in Evangelistic ministry work. Mom and dad not only taught the children to play and sing but also home schooled all four children while on the road. Mom still travels on the bus today as the leader of the pack and can be seen as the first one on stage breaking down equipment as soon as the concert is over.