OUR LEADERS
Founders/Overseers
Overseer Michael L. McCoy, Sr.
Pastor Michael L. McCoy, Sr. was born in South Georgia in a family of seven. At a very young age he recognized a presence of God moving within his life. He has been married to his lovely wife, Gwendolyn for over 32 years with five beautiful children. Pastor McCoy was called by God to preach the Gospel in 1992 while working in the vineyard at First Baptist Church of Stewardship in Atlanta, Georgia. He was licensed to preach in September of 1992 and became Youth Pastor. Pastor McCoy was ordained as an Elder under the leadership of Bishop James H. Morton in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship in October 1995. Pastor McCoy attended Atlanta Biblical College in the year of 2000. For more than 10 years Pastor McCoy was a successful business owner. In 2002, Pastor McCoy stepped out on faith to birth the Word of Life Full Gospel Baptist Church in Lake City, GA. He as served faithfully as Pastor and Founder of this great church for the past 15 years. By God's divine favor, through Pastor McCoy's visionary leadership, Word of Life Christian Church moved to their current location known as "The Life Center", in Decatur, Ga. The Life Center serves in ministering to the lost, building our youth, and strengthening of the family unit through exhortation of men (100 Sons Ministry), and many other avenues of spiritual
healing.
Overseer Gwendolyn McCoy
Pastor Gwendolyn McCoy (Pastor G) was born and raised in East Chicago, Indiana. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana where she majored in Telecommunications. In 1984, Pastor G relocated to Georgia where she met and married Pastor Michael L. McCoy, Sr. Pastor Gwendolyn later completed two years of study in the field of medical transcription at Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. She also attended Beulah Heights University in 2003. Working in leadership under Bishop James H. Morton, of New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church, she served as a spiritual leader and youth mentor. Pastor G also served as Director of the Young Adult Women’s Ministry. In 2004, Pastor G was ordained and appointed Co-Pastor of the Word of Life Christian Church (The Life Center). Pastor Gwendolyn McCoy continues to minister through Word of Life’s Daughters of Destiny Women’s Ministry.
Senior Pastors
Pastor Demetrius E. McCoy
A native of Decatur, Georgia, Demetrius McCoy was born to Pastors Michael & Gwendolyn McCoy on February 2, 1990. With a 90 % chance that he would not survive at birth, Demetrius lives by the motto “I was born for this”; in order to show others that they can defeat the odds stacked against them.
Over the years, McCoy has developed into an innovative thinker and motivational speaker; providing advocacy to the citizens of his community. Demetrius is a rising community leader who desires to inspire the hearts and minds of the next generation.
McCoy completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2012 from the “Illustrious Paine College” in Augusta, Georgia. During his undergraduate years, Demetrius pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In 2015, Demetrius completed his Master of Science degree from Brenau University. Currently, McCoy is entering his final year for his Doctorate of Education in Pastoral Community Counseling at Argosy University.
Later this year McCoy will be installed as the Senior Pastor of Word of Life Christian Church at The Life Center Church in Decatur, GA. In his professional career, McCoy serves over 150,000 residents in DeKalb County as the Chief of Staff to Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, representing the Southeastern portion of DeKalb County.
A lifetime member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, McCoy is committed to working on his first book. On July 16, 2016 Demetrius married the love of his life, Miss Mariah J. Crew. Together, the two will teach, coach and motivate individuals into their purpose and destiny.
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Twitter: @demetriusmccoy3
Facebook: Demetrius McCoy
Instagram: demetriusmccoy
Co - Pastor Mariah Crew McCoy
Mariah Crew McCoy was born to Arthur and Jacqueline Crew on September 18, 1990 in Augusta, Georgia. A native of Washington, Georgia, Mariah developed her passion of education at a young age. In 2009, Mariah matriculated from Washington - Wilkes High School and began her educational post secondary educational career at Georgia Southern University, studying early childhood education and later going on to earn her Master’s of Education from Georgia Southern University. In 2016, Mariah earned a Specialist of Education in Early Childhood Education from Brenau University.
In her professional career, she serves as a Kindergarten Lead Teacher in Clayton County Public Schools. A lifelong learner, Mariah began studying for her Doctorate of Education at Walden University, where she plans to complete her degree by Summer 2019. In addition to her professional career, Mariah also serves alongside her husband as the leader and First Lady of The Life Center in Decatur, Georgia where she helps to provide oversight and direction for the development and continuation of a 21st Century Church.
Mariah’s passion is to educate the next generation so that they may achieve greatness and become the leaders of tomorrow. Mariah lives by her favorite scripture, Philippians 4:13, “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. In 2016, Mariah married the love of her life, Demetrius E. McCoy, the two serve together as the Pastors of Word of Life Christian Church with excellence, in efforts to inspire and impart life into those whom they encounter.