Detroit Pastor/Civic Leader Bishop Charles Ellis Elected Presiding Bishop of the 1.3M Member P.A.W.

Aug. 16, 2010 - PRLog -- (Minneapolis, MN) ––  Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, pastor of Detroit’s iconic Greater Grace Temple, was installed as Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., during the organization’s annual summer convention in Minneapolis.  Ellis, who served two terms as First Assistant Presiding Bishop, ran unopposed for the top spot and was elected by acclamation to lead the 104-year-old denomination.

   “I’m truly humbled and honored to follow in the footsteps of some legendary clergymen who brought this organization from humble beginnings to where it is today,” Bishop Ellis said.  “With God’s help, I’ll work to continue in that tradition of excellence as we reach for higher heights in Kingdom work.”  

Bishop Ellis became pastor of Greater Grace Temple in 1996 following the passing of his father, Bishop David Ellis. He admits he inwardly questioned his ability to pastor a church, but pushed pass those doubts to lead the congregation to a new level of success.  Since that time, the church has grown to include more than 6,000 members and 300 ministries, including sports camps for youth, homeless outreaches and substance abuse programs.  The 20-acre “City of David” complex in northwest Detroit is home to a 4,000-seat auditorium, conference center and banquet hall, print shop, travel agency and state-of-the-art television studio.

The Greater Grace community development umbrella also covers more than 100 housing units for senior and low- to moderate-income families, a Montessori Day Care Center, two K-8 charter schools, a funeral home and the 120-acre New Rogell Golf Course, the only African-American owned and operated golf facility in Michigan.

Bishop Ellis, who serves as bishop over the P.A.W.’s more than 100 Ghana, W. Africa churches and whose broadcast ministry reaches a potential 50 million viewers via the Word network and other broadcast outlets, has become known throughout the country and the world as an innovative and progressive leader.  He serves on numerous boards and was named Michigan Pastor of the Year by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Distinguished Leader of the Year by DTE Energy.  The Detroit Free Press listed him among the “Top Ten African American Leaders in Detroit to Watch.”

Bishop Ellis holds an accounting degree from Wayne State University and an honorary doctorate from Aenon Bible College.  He and his wife, Crisette Michelle, are the parents of Kiera, Charles IV and the late Kirsten Ellis.

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BACKGROUND

Greater Grace Temple is the largest church located inside the Detroit city limits. The church was founded in 1927 with only three members. Today there are over 6,000.

The church has long been a spiritual pillar of the city, as well as an influential part of the civic community with continued efforts and outreaches to make Detroit a better place. Its new 35-million dollar facility anchors the site known as “The City of David,” a 19-acre campus in NW Detroit. Ellis Manor, an 89-unit apartment complex for seniors built by the church, also sits on the site. In 2007, the church purchased the historic 18-hole New Rogell Golf Course which was featured in Golfweek and Golf World magazines.

Greater Grace Temple has served as host to many pivotal community events, including the funeral Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks.

The pastor is Bishop Charles H. Ellis III who is also the new Presiding Bishop of the 1.3 million member Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.