Pastor Fred A. & Dr. Lydia E.B. Lewis
Pastor Fred A. Lewis is a graduate of Northwestern High School and Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. He is a licensed builder with almost 50 years of experience in new residential construction and remodeling. He has an impeccable reputation for excellence in design, craftsmanship and customer service. Elder Lewis is an ordained elder in the Church of God in Christ. His ministry experience spans four decades. Prior to the demise of his father, Bishop Fred Lewis in 2018, Fred was appointed and installed as pastor of Lewis Temple Church of Saginaw Michigan. He is known for his commitment to sound Biblical teaching. Several young men began to seek him for assistance with basic life skills, many who had prior justice system involvement. To meet that demand, he created Men of Valor Empowered (MOVE), meeting with up to 10 men on a weekly basis for about 2 years – providing training in expungement of records, financial literacy, decorum, and wisdom principles. He combined his building skills with his ministry skills by training men in some aspects of the construction trades, e.g., minor household repairs and tile installation.
After a couple of years, his heart expanded to address the issue of the unhoused, especially unhoused veterans and Compassionate Care Network (CCN) was born. Its mission is T.E.A.C.H.: Train, Educate, and Advance Community Health. Along with a dedicated team of like-minded individuals, CCN renovates and rents properties to those in need. For the past five years, CCN has partnered with Isabella Bank to help homeowners apply for Home Repair Grants. To date, CCN has helped qualified applicants receive approximately $413,000 in grants for new roofs, windows and ADA compliant renovations. In the coming months, CCN expects to begin new construction on multi-occupancy units using $2 million in federal grant funds and is working closely with federal, state and county agencies to provide housing options for veterans. News of his community involvement caught the attention of the Buena Vista Downtown Development Authority and he was asked to serve as a member. Within a year, he was elected as Chairperson.
Pastor Fred is married and boldly declares his love for his wife who perfectly complements his business and ministry gifts. He shows no signs of slowing down or retiring. On the contrary, as he responds in faith and obedience to the various opportunities God presents, God opens many more doors. He thrives on receiving from God and sharing it to bless others. His example of obedience to God is inspiring others to launch out into the deep and say “Yes” to God.
Pastor Fred A. Lewis
Dr. Lydia E.B. Lewis
Dr. Lydia’s mission statement is:
To help others identify and overcome the strongholds in their lives.
To help usher humanity into the realm of abundant life -
through teaching, counseling and music.
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Dr. Lewis is passionate about Spiritual Formation (Discipleship) and is used by God to help Christians continue the journey to spiritual maturity. She has helped many believers position themselves to experience deep, inner healing through the power of the Word, the Holy Spirit and prayer. For many years, Lydia has ministered anointed saxophone music at various locations and events. She says, “I use the saxophone to express my heart to God in ways I could never do with my voice alone. As I worship the Lord and cause His heart to rejoice, He does a work in the hearts of His people – bringing healing and deliverance.”
The Doctor of Ministry and Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling degrees were earned at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio and the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Howard University in Washington, D. C. Also a Licensed Professional Counselor, she provides counseling and academic advising to students at Mott Community College of Flint, Michigan. Lydia is married to Elder Fred A. Lewis and is richly blessed by his love, support and friendship. They are partners in life and partners in ministry. Together, they serve the loving congregation of Lewis Temple Church of God in Christ of Saginaw, Michigan.
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Other facts:
Native of Atlanta, Georgia. The 4th of 5 children born to the late Pastor Odell Barnwell, Sr. and Missionary Clovis Barnwell. My father was an Administrative Assistant to the Bishop in Central Georgia jurisdictional of the Church of God in Christ. I am a PK and all my siblings are in ministry. My oldest sister, Prophetess Mary Barnwell Melvin, made her transition in 2003.
I moved to Michigan in 1978 after graduating from Howard University and worked at Ford Motor Company. I lived in Ypsilanti, Michigan and joined Mount Olive COGIC under watch care. It was Fred’s 1st cousin, Denise Summerville, who introduced me to Fred during a State meeting at Bailey Cathedral. Less than a year later, we were married – June 16, 1979 – and recently celebrated 38 years of matrimony. I relocated to Flint, Michigan and was employed by AC Spark Plug – a division of General Motors – working as an Engineer. Another career was as a financial analyst. I held Series 6 license (to sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds), Series 63 (Insurance license) and Mortgage license.
Currently hold a State of Michigan Licensed Professional Counselor credential and work at Mott Community College in Flint, MI.
