Bishop Marcus R. Ways, Sr.
Bishop Marcus R. Ways, Sr. has been saved and Holy Ghost filled for more than 50 years and has been a Pastor for 35+ years. As the founding Pastor of Christian Gospel Center Church Of God In Christ, his ecumenical and ecclesiastical vision has been clear and unwavering. CGC is the loving, teaching, training church, with a focused vision to “reach the lost for Christ”.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Bishop Ways has served in the church on the local, state, and national level for most of his saved life. He has served as the International Finance Chairman & Executive Board Member for both the Music & Youth Conventions of the Church of God in Christ. Currently, he serves as the Jurisdictional Prelate of the Historic Michigan Southwest First Jurisdiction where he leads and provides spiritual oversight for churches under his prelatic leadership.
At the community level, Bishop Ways is well known and respected by his peers as a role model, bridge builder and resourceful liaison to many city, county, and state politicians. He served on a host of executive boards, including the Macomb County Branch of the NAACP, the Michigan Spartans AAU Boys and Girls Basketball Club, University Prep School System, and the Governor’s Advisory Board. During President Obama’s term he was invited to the White House as a panelist to discuss education and policy reforms. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan commissioned Bishop Ways to lead his Bridge Builders Transition team and to serve as his Director of Faith Based Programs for the city of Detroit. His international reach extends to South America, specifically Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he taught classes on church administration to Pastors and Elders and preached in their AIM and Holy Convocation. He also traveled with Compassion International on mission trips to Africa, specifically Kenya. Additionally, he was twice elected to serve as the elected Vice Chairman of the General Council of Pastors and Elders. Currently, Bishop Ways serves as Conference Co-Chair and Assistant Regional Coordinator for the Church Of God In Christ Board of Bishops.
Bishop Ways has always been involved in building lives and enhancing communities by being the establishmentarian of Christian Gospel Center Community Development Corporation (a 501-c-3 organization), Scholarship Fund, and Ministry Partner with Genesis House II Women’s Shelter, Transition of Prisoners program, and a Wayne County Sherriff Chaplain. In 2011, Bishop Ways was honored by the Michigan Chronicle at the 2011 Inaugural Michigan Chronicle Salute to Pastors.
As a former Senior Manager at DaimlerChrysler Corp. (now Stellantis) Bishop Ways was the corporate representative to many national professional organizations such as the NAACP, Urban League, Congressional Black Caucus, Black MBA and the Leadership Education and Development Program (LEAD – Project for High School Students).
Bishop Ways holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Systems and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Ashland Theological Seminary. He is also a candidate for an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from St. Thomas Christian College.
Bishop Ways has been happily married to Attorney Patricia A. Ways (JD, BSN, BA Psychology) since 1981. They are the devoted and proud parents of three accomplished adult children, Faithe, Marcus, Jr., and Maurice Ways, and proud grandparents of one adorable grandson, Marcus Greyson Ways.