Southwest Michigan Church of God in

Christ Fourth Jurisdiction Short History

The history of Southwest Michigan-Fourth Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ has been an exciting and beautiful sequence of experiences. Many different things have happened in the lives of our families. First meeting of the pastors held on January, 14, 1991 at Whitlock Memorial COGIC, Pastor Supt. Louis Hunter (Detroit, MI), Acting Chairman: Supt. Dank Tyler. First meeting of the fellowship held on January 31, 1991, acting Chairman: Supt. Louis C. Hunter.

The first annual meeting of the fellowship was set for February 28-March 2, 1991. The first day would be for business, the second day was women’s day, an evangelistic service was chosen for the last night. The “Great West Fellowship” request (to be a jurisdiction) was placed on the agenda in Memphis during the April Call Meeting in 1991. Our International Supervisor, Mother Mattie McGlothen; and her staff, Mother Emma Crouch and our present International Supervisor, Mother Willie M. Rivers supported our Mother Mary J. Walton and the women’s department in our endeavor. Bishop L.H. Ford and others were a great help to the fellowship leaders and the request was granted in 1991.

The national body came to the decision that we should be called Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction #4 under the leadership of the Great Bishop Fred Lewis. In 1992 under the leadership of Bishop L.H. Ford in Memphis, Tennessee, Pastor Fred Lewis was consecrated Bishop of Southwest Michigan 4th Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ. Our first leader and Bishop was - Administrator Fred Lewis (Pastor of two churches). Administrator Fred (Mother Statha) Lewis embodied the characteristics of the founders, a man of courage, integrity, and strength, thereby promoting unity. A MAN OF GOD!

All of the Departments were in position, the workers were in position and he chose as his Administrative Assistants Superintendent Lewis C. Hunter, Superintendent Dank Tyler and Administrative Assistant James C. Lewis. All have went on to be with the Lord.

Bishop Fred Lewis later chose the faithful Superintendent Aaron Milton as his Administrative Assistant and years later appointed Pastor Melvin Lewis and lastly appointed Pastor Eric Lewis as his Administrative Assistant. These men worked untiringly with Bishop Fred Lewis until his health failed him, and from that point they did a fine job of carrying the jurisdiction, along with our Women’s Department, State Supervisor of Women, Mother Mary J. Walton, First Lady of the State, Mother Statha M. Lewis, District Missionary B. Marie Wilson, Evangelist Virgie M. Milton and District Missionary Mary E. Tyler.

When Bishop Fred Lewis became ill and the load was too heavy for him, the administrators assumed their position and carried out his orders until he could no longer give them. On Saturday morning January 27, 2018 Bishop Fred Lewis quietly and peacefully finished his course and entered into the presence of the Lord. The day came when our Bishop went to be with the Lord and the national body came in.

On Friday, March 9, 2018 the Pastors of Southwest Michigan 4th suggested that Administrative Assistant Aaron Milton be appointed as the successor to the late Bishop Fred Lewis. Administrative Assistant Aaron Milton accepted the recommendation. Bishop Brooks informed Bishop Charles Blake via phone call of the decision and received the approval from Bishop Charles Blake to accept the Pastors recommendations. Bishop Designate Aaron Milton was appointed as the new Bishop of Southwest Michigan 4th Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

On Monday, November 12, 2018 the public motion of the continuation of jurisdiction and the appointment of Aaron Milton as prelate was put on the agenda. Motion granted and Bishop Designate Aaron Milton was certified by the Church of God in Christ, Inc., Chief Apostle Charles E. Blake Sr., Presiding Prelate, and the Board of Bishops, General Board and the General Assembly as the official Bishop Designate and successor to the Honorable late Bishop Fred Lewis.

On Friday, March 8, 2019 Bishop Aaron Milton was consecrated by the Church of God in Christ, Inc., Chief Apostle Charles E. Blake Sr., Presiding Prelate. He is now the official Bishop of Southwest Michigan 4th Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible written Word of God.

We believe that there is only One God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and, God the Holy Spirit.

We believe in the blessed Hope, which is the rapture of the Church of God, which is in Christ, at His return.

We believe that the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

We believe that regeneration by the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation.

We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross provides healing for the human body in answer to believing prayer.

We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for Him.

We believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy and separated life in the present world.