W. E. Sheard Memorial District - Michigan (COGIC)

Elder Willie J. Powell, Sr. is the founder of Grace Fellowship COGIC - House of Solutions, Superintendent of WE Sheard Memorial District, and Administrative Assistant responsible for Financial and Fiscal Affairs for MI SW First Jurisdiction.  Willie J Powell was born and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He served as District Chairman of District #11 for 23 years, specifically under the direct tutelage of the late Superintendent Willie E. Sheard.  On April 19, 2014, the Jurisdictional Prelate of the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Michigan Southwest, the late Bishop John Henry Sheard, appointed Elder Powell as the Superintendent of District #11, now known as the WE Sheard Memorial District. As Superintendent, Elder Powell’s vision is to equip and send the church to carry on the signs and wonders that followed Jesus. In 2021 when Bishop John Henry Sheard went to be with the Lord, in coming Bishop, Marcus R. Ways Sr., appointed Superintendent Powell to also service as an Administrative Assistant responsible for Financial and Fiscal Affairs for the Jurisdiction. 

Superintendent Powell is determined to see the supernatural power of God become a common occurrence at every district meeting.  At the heart of his vision is to see every pastor in the district flourish in his ministry. Superintendent Powell planted Grace Fellowship COGIC House of Solutions in 1994. He has served as the senior pastor for more than two decades. Superintendent Powell is an anointed and gifted teacher of the Word of God and is able to draw hidden nuggets from scripture utilizing his knowledge of Hebrew and Greek—languages he has enjoyed studying since he became a pastor. Superintendent Powell holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from the University of Michigan Business School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Before he entered ministry full time, he served as the Executive Director of the City of Ann Arbor Employees Retirement System. He is currently the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, and the Chair of the Audit Committee for the University Bank in Ann Arbor, Michigan as well as a board member of Washtenaw United Way. Superintendent Powell is married to the lovely First Lady Geraldine Powell, his wife of over 40 years and ministry partner. They are the proud parents of three children: Tiffany, James, and Kandace; parents in-love as well as proud grandparents.

Lady Geraldine Powell supports Grace Fellowship COGIC where her husband, Superintendent Willie J. Powell is the Pastor and she is the First Lady of WE Sheard Memorial District.  Lady Geraldine, affectionately known as Lady P, was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She joyfully leads the women ministries at her local church: Grace Fellowship COGIC House of Solutions where her husband and ministry partner of 36 years, Superintendent Willie J. Powell serves as Pastor.  She is gifted in teaching and reaching women, youth, and children. For three decades she owned and directed Wee Wisdom Child Care Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Lady Geraldine Powell is passionate about health and wellness, and her desire is to see all of Gods’ people become spiritually and physically fit. She is a certified personal trainer (AFPA) and a certified Zumba instructor.  She is currently employed as a fitness and Zumba instructor at the University of Michigan (M-Healthy Wellness Program). In addition, she  is the founder of Lifestyle Fitness Coach, LLC. Lady Geraldine Powell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Eastern Michigan University. She feels blessed to serve in ministry with her husband, favorite pastor/teacher, Superintendent Willie J. Powell Sr. Together they have three children, Tiffany, James and Kandace, and several grand children.

Evangelist Betty J. McMullan is the District Missionary for WE Seard Memorial District.   Betty J. McMullan is the seventh child born to Deacon Julius and Mother Gertrude Powell. Having been educated in the Ypsilanti Public School System,  she went on to receive a BBA in Healthcare Administration from Cleary University and attended Eastern Michigan University .   She is married to Elder D.Maurice McMullan , they are the proud parents of 6 children ,13 grandchildren , and three great grandchild.  After working 29 years in the Department of Radiology, she founded Tender Childcare Development Center. There  she gave underprivileged preschoolers the head start needed to boost their academic skills before starting Kindergarten. Missionary McMullan has served in many positions in her home church Mt. Olive COGIC.

Currently she serves as the New Members Class Teacher Director of the Community Vacation Bible School, leader of the Convalescence Home Ministries, one of the adult Christian Education  Class teachers, and a member of the Secretarial  team. Missionary McMullan has been blessed with wisdom and insight needed to assist the women working with her in WE Seard Memorial District Women’s Department.  

District Missionary Betty McMullan has been recently promoted to the Chairperson of the Finance Committee of MSW 1 Women's Department and also serves on the Advisory Board

Elder Willie S. Foster, III is the founder (1997) and pastor of Abundant Harvest COGIC in Ann Arbor.  Elder Foster attended Mt. Olive COGIC from a child on up where he was taught in the Sunday school and Sunshine Band.  In 1979, he graduated from Ypsilanti High School with academic honors and attended Huron Valley trade school to study computer circuitry and advanced electronic technology.  He later attended Washtenaw Community College-Liberal Arts and Sciences where he received a trade certification for ISO 9000 and QS 9000 Quality Systems.  He is employed at Variety Manufacturing Corporation of Dexter as an Internal Quality Systems Auditor/Manager where he shares the "Good News" of Christ to many.

Elder Foster acknowledged the call by God to the ministry as a Gospel Evangelist in 1981.  By 1989, he was ordained as an elder by the late Bishop Willie Leroy Harris.  Elder Foster served at Mt. Olive COGIC in Ypsilanti under the leadership of the late Superintendent Willie E. Sheard following his call to ministry.  His ministry history includes prison & convalescent home ministry as well as teaching the "Growing in Grace" class for new members, evangelizing, preaching, running revivals and teacher of the young minister's class for training upcoming ministers.   Elder Foster served in District #11 as District Evangelist, Christian Education Department President and as a member of the district finance team before being selected as the WE Sheard Memorial District Chairman.  In 2022, Chairman Foster was called upon by newly elected Bishop Marcus R. Ways to lead the Jurisdiction ordination and credentials department.   

Elder Daniel Foster serves as a minister of the Gospel at New Bethel COGIC in Ypsilanti, where Elder David Foster is the Pastor. Elder Elder Daniel is a licensed elder with the Church of God in Christ.  He began his ministry many years ago under the leadership of the late Willie E. Sheard at Mt. Olive COGIC.  Daniel Foster is the long-time owner of Plumbstar, Inc., a heating and cooling company serving Southeast Michigan.   The district finance team includes Deacon Anthony Griffith (Grace Fellowship) and Deacon King S. Holmes, Jr. (Abundant Harvest)

Elder Benjamin Foster is dedicated to the work of WESMD as he actively served for many years at Abundant Harvest of Belleville where his brother, Willie S. Foster II is pastor.  In early 2024 he answered the call to Pastor a ministry on the campus of Washtenaw Community College and thus, Divine Encounter Church was established.  Pastor Foster was called to minister the Word of God through preaching and teaching at a young age. He is ordained under the Church of God in Christ where he currently serves on the ordination board of the Michigan Southwest First Jurisdiction #1.  He is determined to see the manifestation of God’s intended purpose for his life and the life of his family as well as others. He is the author of the book entitled, The Extraordinary Life of Prayer.  Over the years he has been active in campus ministry, Jail ministry as well as ministering to those in convalesce homes. Benjamin continues to heed his call to evangelism. Pastor Benjmain and his wife are the devoted parents of three children, Anna, Benjamin, and Eden.  

Evangelist Monique Foster and her husband Elder Michael Foster serve together in ministry at Abundant Harvest Church.  Evangelist Monique received her Evangelistic license in September 2012. At Abundant Harvest, Evangelist Monique is a member of the Compassion Team, works on the building fund committee and is a Co-lead of Christian Education. In 2018, Monique received her master's degree in leadership and business management. Evangelist Monique is an author including the book entitled Praise God I'm Free! (ISBN: 0997192909). Evangelist Monique has demonstrated her devotion to serving the youth as our Sunshine Band Lead.  She is dedicated to building the kingdom of God, working through the hearts of our children.

Elder Michael Foster serves together with his wife, Evangelist Monique Foster in ministry at Abundant Harvest Church. Elder Michael has been with Abundant Harvest Church since the birth of the ministry in 1997. He is a very highly anointed man of God who knows and lives the Word of God. His first dedication is to the Word of God, having been called into ministry and ordained as an elder by recommendation of Pastor Willie S. Foster.  Elder Michael is able to fulfill his love of praise as the Minister of Music at Abundant Harvest Church and is actively engaged in AHC's YouTube "LIVE" service technology. He is a family man and a father of three. Additionally, Elder Michael serves on the finance and administration teams. He is dedicated to building the kingdom of God!  He serves faithfully in the district as our Sunday School Chairman.

Sister Maria Holmes is a faithful member of Abundant Harvest Church under the leadership of Pastor Willie S. Foster III.  Having attended the ministry since its inception in 1997, Maria leads the Compassion Team and Public Relations (webmaster).  She is the church secretary.  Having been married for over 46 years, Maria and her husband, Deacon King Solomon Holmes Jr., they are parents to three adult children. Additionally, she serves alongside her husband as a Deaconess providing administrative assistance to the ministry and is the secretary of the finance team.  After 40 years, Maria retired in 2022 from the communications industry.  Maria serves faithfully with WESMD as the District Announcer and Chair of the Willie E. Sheard Memorial District Scholarship Fund.