Elder Willie J. Powell, Sr. is the founder of Grace Fellowship COGIC - House of Solutions, Superintendent of WE Sheard Memorial District, 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.
