Bishop Michael A. Thurston, D.D.
Pastor, United Worship Center South
Founder & Presider, United Covenant Fellowship International
In all humility and honor, it is an honor to present this pastor and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Born into a family of servants, here is a list of some of the blessings bestowed upon his life.
1984 Licensed to preach the Gospel and appointed as chief musician for the Macedonia District
1985 Met the love of his life (Ms. Gina L. Campbell) at a revival while playing for his mother
1989 Married his bride on the 19th of August
1991 Appointed as the Chief Musician of the 5th Jurisdiction of Illinois COGIC
1992 Started a production company “MAG PRODUCTIONS” (MATTUNES Studios and MAGLOVE Publishing)
1993 He and his wife were signed to Tyscot Records (Indianapolis, IN)
1994 Appointed as associate minister and assistant to the senior pastor
1994 Released 1st CD on Tyscot Records (“God’s Been Good”)
1998 Recorded and released 1st Independent CD (“Gina-Live in Chicago”)
1999 Ordained as an Elder and appointed as the pastor of True Light Temple COGIC on January 17th
2000 Recorded and released 2nd Independent CD (“Christmas with Gina”)
2002 Appointed as the pastor of Holy Mission COGIC
2002 Merged True Light Temple and Holy Mission to become “United Worship Center COGIC”
2003 Appointed as the Superintendent of the Love & Joy District
2006 Appointed as the Special Assistant to Bishop J.C. Austin, Sr.
2008 Merged Good Hope Church with United Worship Center
2010 Released Double CD (“Gina-Live” and “God’s Been Good”)
2011 Appointed as an Administrative Assistant & the Overseer of the Inner-City Region of the Jurisdiction by Bishop J.C. Austin, Sr.
2015 Appointed as the President of the Jurisdictional Youth Department
2019 Awarded Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Metropolitan Christian University of Chicago
2019 Founded the United Covenant Fellowship International Assembly of Churches
2020 Installed as Presiding Prelate of UCFIA
2020 Appointed as 1st Assistant Presiding Bishop of Ruach International Fellowship of Churches
2020 Appointed as Bishop of Music and Fine Arts for the Ecumenical Association of Leaders and Pastors, Baltimore, MD
He’s been favored by the Lord to travel to more than 40 states in the USA, 30 cities in Italy, Stockholm, Norway and the Caribbean Islands. Together they have ministered, recorded and shared stages with artists such as: Rev. Clay Evans, Kirk Franklin, Skillet, The Katina’s, The David Crowder Band, Minister Lonnie Hunter and the Voices of St. Mark, The Late O’landa Draper, “D” Lawrence, The Clark Sisters, Mark Hubbard, Edwin Hawkins, The Late Bishop Walter Hawkins, Bishop Larry Trotter, DJ Rogers, Hezekiah Walker, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Shirley Caesar, The Canton Spirituals, MC Hammer, Vikki Winans, Kim Burrell, Beverly Crawford and many others.
His music discography lists more than 20 placements in the gospel-music industry nationally and internationally. And, with the strength of the Lord he has managed to earn his Associates in Theology from the Charles Harrison Mason System of Bible Colleges, an Advanced Certificate of Theology from Oral Roberts University’s Institute for Christian Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Metropolitan Christian University and a Masters of Arts in Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary. All of these combined experiences have become the fuel for his passion to do what he does. Of all the things that God has strengthened him to accomplish, most of all he is proud to be a husband and father of five gifted children (Pastor Jay Lamar, Michaela Antoinette, Janet Lachelle, Ambur Noel and Déjà Nicole). Some of his favorite things to do are: skate, fish, sightsee, watch action movies, travel, look at old pictures, talk with the elderly, host outdoor cookouts and play board games. After his tasks of serving the Lord are complete, he lives to have fun with family and friends.
Currently, he is ministering to audiences across the country and the world, preaching, writing, arranging and producing music tracks and shepherding God’s people with a grateful heart. If there were one thing that he would want you to know about him he would say, "I love to do what I do; although it may not look like it, I would rather preach than eat a meal and I’m totally infatuated by the idea of being used by God.”
The UWC Family