Michigan North Central Jurisdiction

In 1974, a group of nineteen pastors from the Saginaw and Flint areas, serving in the Northeast Jurisdiction of Michigan under Bishop C. J. Johnson, came together and formed what they called the “North Central Fellowship.” These pastors went to Elder H. J. Williams, due in part to the anointing on his life, his success in ministry, and his many national appointments, to request that he become the leader of the Fellowship. They then submitted a petition to the National Church to form a jurisdiction. They also selected Mother Lena Mason-Lucas of Port Huron, Michigan, to stand in as Supervisor of Women. Prior to this position, Mother Lucas was District Missionary for District 17 under Supt. L. J. Jackson. The Fellowship began meeting and held well-attended, anointed regional services. Supt. H. J. Coleman, Sr. was selected to be the spokesperson. Supt. H. J. Coleman, Supt. L. J. Jackson, and Supt. Calvin Beatty traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, to meet with the National Presiding Prelate, Bishop J. O. Patterson, to discuss the organization of a new jurisdiction. Bishop Patterson later traveled to Michigan to meet with the pastors in the Fellowship. This meeting was held in Saginaw at the North Central Fellowship headquarters, Greater Williams Temple, where Elder H. J. Williams was pastor. When Bishop Patterson arrived at the church, the North Central Fellowship pastors, elders, and ministers were assembled in the sanctuary. After opening prayer and scripture, the meeting was placed in Bishop Patterson’s hands. He made brief remarks, recognized those present, and opened the floor for the pastors to address why they desired to organize a new jurisdiction. Bishop Patterson requested that the North Central Fellowship disband and return to the Northeast Jurisdiction. Elder H. J. Williams, president of the Fellowship, agreed to return so as not to appear disobedient to leadership. In July 1975, the National Presiding Prelate, Bishop J. O. Patterson, along with Bishop L. H. Ford and Bishop O. M. Kelly, came to the Holy Convocation for the Northeast Jurisdiction to honor the Jurisdictional Prelate, Bishop C. J. Johnson, with emeritus status and to name his successor. The following day, a jurisdictional business meeting was held to name Bishop Johnson’s successor. Before the successor was announced, Bishop Patterson appointed Elder H. J. Williams as Bishop of the North Central Jurisdiction of Michigan. After Bishop Williams was named, Supt. P. A. Brooks was appointed as Prelate of the Northeast Jurisdiction. By tenure, because Bishop Williams was named first, he became the Senior Bishop in the State of Michigan. Once appointed, Bishop-designate H. J. Williams immediately began organizing the jurisdiction. Pastors from across Michigan—including Detroit, Benton Harbor, and Kalamazoo—united with North Central. The installation service for Bishop Williams was held Saturday, October 11, 1975, at Greater Williams Temple in Saginaw, Michigan. The National Presiding Bishop and members of the General Board officiated. The first jurisdictional officers were appointed, including Mother Lena Mason-Lucas as Supervisor of Women. She served faithfully for nearly twenty-five years and was honored with emerita status in November 1999. Mother Corene Wade-Adams was appointed as her successor. On November 30, 2009, Bishop Williams announced his desire to step aside and recommended Superintendent J. Drew Sheard as his successor. In February 2010, following assessment and polling by the General Board, Superintendent Sheard was selected as Jurisdictional Prelate. Superintendent J. Drew Sheard was consecrated to the office of Bishop on August 29, 2010, in Detroit, Michigan. In 2012, Bishop Sheard was elected to the Presidium of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. Bishop Williams served thirty-five years as Jurisdictional Prelate and held numerous national leadership roles within the Church. After a lifetime of dedicated service to the Church and the people of God, Bishop Williams went from labor to rest on September 20, 2018. Under Bishop Sheard’s leadership, the jurisdiction grew from approximately twenty churches to more than fifty. Numerous initiatives were established, including insurance and retirement programs, expanded auxiliaries, and a multi-location convocation model. The Jurisdictional Headquarters was relocated to Detroit, Michigan. On December 10, 2020, Bishop J. Drew Sheard appointed Evangelist Olivia A. Williams, daughter of the establishmentarian, late Bishop H. J. Williams, as Supervisor of the Department of Women. At that time, Mother Corene Wade-Adams was honored with emerita status in recognition of her faithful and distinguished service. In 2021 and again in 2024, delegates of the General Assembly re-elected Bishop J. Drew Sheard to the Presidium. Subsequently, he was elected to the Office of the Presiding Bishop as Chief Apostle, serving as the global leader of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. North Central Jurisdiction holds the distinction of having the Presiding Bishop and General Board travel to the local jurisdiction to officiate the installation of both its first and second presiding prelates.