Our Leadership

Bishop Melvin Burton

In March of 2023, after the sudden unexpected passing of Pastor Nathaniel Wells lll, Bishop Melvin Burton, Jurisdictional Prelate of Michigan Western COGIC, assumed the role as Pastor of Holy Trinity COGIC.

Bishop Melvin Burton has been affiliated with the Church of God in Christ since birth. He grew up and received his spiritual teachings at the Community Church of God in Christ under the tutelage of the late Bishop Nathaniel Wells, Sr. and the late Bishop Nathaniel W. Wells, Jr.

His ministry began in the living room of his home with 6-12 members, then to “the basement” for 5 years and finally resulted in the building of a new edifice, “Refreshing Fountains Outreach Ministry Mission, COGIC”, with over 200 members overseeing an annual budget of $400,000. During his ministry, Bishop Burton felt the need to reach out into the community with the construction of a Community Center“Genesis Outreach Development Center”, Inc. (a Non-Profit 501C 3) overseeing an annual budget of $300,000. Under his direction and tutelage, he developed and implementeda plan to have both facilities paid in full before the maturity date ended, resulting in being debt “free”.

Within the community, he has been a strong community advocate over 45 years serving on various community boards; Michigan Governor’s Special Task Force, Citizens for World Class Community, Rotary as a Rotarian, Benton Manor 150 Family Housing complex, overseeing an annual budget of $1 million as well as a member of the Southwest Michigan Ministerial Alliance serving previously as the President. As the Prelate of Michigan Western Jurisdiction, COGIC, Bishop Burton developed and started an investment endowment program for the Pastors in MWJas an effort to have financial security upon their retirement.

Bishop Burton has several associate degrees in Technical and Applied Art and in Theology. He also, holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian counseling. Previously, he was employed for over 30 years holding various positions operating and maintaining Southwest Michigan Highways under MDOT and local Bascule draw bridges. Prior to his retirement, he was the Supervisor working at the local bridge in St. Joseph/Benton Harbor community.

A devoted husband and a loving father, he and his wife, Vivian, have been married 51 years and are the parents of two adult children and have four grandchildren.