Pastor Marvin L. Winans

Marvin L. Winans, born to David and Delores Winans on March 5, 1958, the youngest of twins, and the fourth of ten children. Marvin's musical genius was displayed at age four. From that time to the present, the musical ministry God entrusted to Marvin's care has impacted the lives of several generations of people around the world. An exemplary lyricist and composer, Marvin's songs reach and touch the soul and have earned him many awards. Since birth, Marvin was raised in holiness at Zion Congregational COGIC, founded by his great grandfather, the late I.W. Winans.

Marvin came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in February 1970 during a 150-day revival conducted by Mother Estella Boyd. Later, Marvin acknowledged the call to ministry and his first sermon was preached on December 18, 1976. He has since evangelized around the world from Alaska to Florida, Maine to Mauna Loa, and points in between. Wherever Pastor Winans ministers the word of God there are testimonies of healing, miracles, and lives being changed through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Perfecting Church was born out of the scripture found in Colossians 1:28, which reads, "Whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." This was the vision God placed in the spirit of Marvin L. Winans. His call to the pastorate occurred in church services at Shalom Temple. Pastor Winans recalls that moment with vivid imagery and detail: "After Mother Estella Boyd had laid hands and prayed with me, I was slain in the spirit. I began to see people trickle toward me as water. It was at this time that the spirit of the Lord spoke into my spirit, They are coming to you. And I responded in my spirit, No Lord, not me." As I continued to say no, the presence of God began to leave. As I desperately tried to hold on to the spirit of God, and yet at the same time refuse the vision, I realized it was an impossible task. The more I said yes to God, the more the presence of God began to inundate my spirit, and as the vision continued, more people came to me. Suddenly there was a multitude of people before me of all races, and the Lord said, They are coming to you to receive. The birth of Perfecting Church occurred in the basement of Pastor Winans home, seven persons committed themselves to follow him as he followed Christ, and there the ministry was born. May 27, 1989 Perfecting Church held it's first official service with the original eight (and a few guests), since that humble beginning, the membership has increased to over 3,000 members.