Bishop Earnest Epps was called into ministry under the leadership of Bishop Dozier Shields. He attended and graduated from Carver Bible School, the Free Will Baptist School of Biblical Studies and attended many other classes, courses and workshops throughout his ministerial
career. Bishop Epps was the pastor of St. James Church in New Haven, Connecticut, founder of Unity Temple Church, where he pastored for over 20 years.

On May 2, 2005, he became the pastor of English Chapel Cathedral of Miracles and was consecrated Bishop under the leadership of Bishop Elijah Davis and the UFWB Churches, Inc. on October 29, 2005 where he became the Bishop of the Southern Connecticut Annual Conference. Bishop Epps was also a dedicated member of the Interdenominational Minister Alliance, Faith Acts for Education, and a dedicated attendant of both the Hampton Ministers Conference and the National Convention for Free Will Baptists, where he served on the National Finance Committee. Elder Major Stancil and Elder Aaron Daniels took their initial sermon under Bishop Epps.