Bro. Willie L. Rupert Jr., born to Willie, Sr., and Vada Sue Rupert, has been the minister of the Central Church of Christ since September 2008.

The Tupelo, Mississippi native has served as a minister for more than 38 years. Prior to his installation at Central, he was the minister of the Overbrook Church of Christ (formerly 63^rd & Vine St.) in Philadelphia, PA; North Green Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi; and the Martin Street Church of Christ in Water Valley, Mississippi. Bro. Rupert routinely speaks at the National and Mid-Atlantic Lectureships. 

Currently, Bro. Rupert is a PhD candidate in Clinical Christian Counseling. He is also a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor and board certified with the National Christian Counseling Association in Sarasota, Florida, and is the founder and director of Church Steeple Counseling.

Bro. Rupert earned his theological degree from Magnolia Bible College (Kosciusko, MS) and a master’s degree in Clinical Christian Counseling from Cornerstone University. Additionally, Bro. Rupert is a graduate of Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS) where he received a management degree.  In 1985, Bro. Rupert married Celeste (Moore) of Houston, Mississippi and from this union, God blessed them with two wonderful children: a son Emmanuel (wife Veronica and grandson Emmanuel, Jr.) and a daughter Kimberly Symone.