Universal Deliverance Church

Shoutouts to Ministries

	Apostle Naomi McCowan Apostle Naomi McCowan was born in Monticello, Georgia.  She is the daughter of the late Lola Davis and the late Reverend Willie James (Battleaxe) Davis.  She attended grade and middle school in Hancock County, Georgia.  She grew in the church where her father was the pastor of the  African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church in Devereux, Georgia until he deceased.  She has six siblings which consist of three brothers and three sisters.  She is next to the oldest of the seven.  She was married to the late Mr. Robert McCowan, the mother of three daughters and one son. She has four grandsons and one granddaughter. In a Monday night prayer meeting in which she was invited, Apostle McCowan gave her life to the Lord  In 1965, she joined the Holy Light Pentecostal Church where the late Bishop McClinton was the founder and pastor.   In 1969, Apostle Naomi McCowan moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she started attending Overcoming Church of Deliverance under the direction of Bishop Kenning.  Shortly after becoming a member of this church, Bishop Kenning ordained Apostle McCowan as the pastor of Overcoming Church of Deliverance.  A few years later, in 1972, Bishop Kenning received instructions from God again to ordain Apostle McGowan as a bishop. Hearing the call of  God, Apostle McCowan moved from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,  returning back to Georgia in 1976, settling in Valdosta, Georgia. to begin a work.    Apostle McCowan ministered on the streets and on the job, through this effort  the ministry began to grow, and the beginning of Universal Deliverance Church in February 1979 was in full bloom. The first church service began in the apartment of Sister Pendery Smith in the Hudson Dockett Housing .  She later rented a store front building to provide a meeting place for the growing  membership.   As the membership continued to grow, Apostle McCowan purchase another building for the increased attendance .  Attendance continues to grow and the church relocated again to a newly renovated edifice to accommodate the increasing congregation.. Apostle McCowan has traveled to many places within the United States and abroad.  Since the late 60’s, she has traveled to most of the states in the United States.  In the 70’s, she began to travel abroad, and her first voyage abroad was to Frankfurt, Germany at the Rheinmein  Air Force Base, where her biological brother set up the appointment for her to minister the Word of God.  She has traveled to the continent of Africa and ministered in countries such as Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa.  She has traveled to the continent of Europe and ministered in countries such as Germany, Belgium, France and Switzerland.  She has also traveled to the islands of the Nassau Bahamas.  She has ministered in the Ukraine, in the country of Russia with the television evangelist Marilyn Hickey, where she ministered to over 10,000 people.   . . . . . Now I present to you, a great woman of God! .

	Life long friend and now covenant partner with the dynamic Pastor Marvin L. Sapp, Lady MaLinda Sapp stands with her husband as Administrative Pastor at the two year old 800 member assembly of Lighthouse Full life Center Church. Domestic at heart, she cherishes her role as wife to a multifaceted and gifted man of God and mother to three beautiful children, Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson. In addition to her ministry service, she is a limited licensed psychologist, licensed professional counselor and serves as a college professor.  Both Pastor Marvin and Lady MaLinda are committed to their ministry and community. Lighthouse has established a three fold focus including the body, soul and spirit. This concept implements programs to meet the needs of the members that include financial workshops, education counseling and health and fitness programs.     Additionally, they have founded “Entrepreneurs Exchange”, a faith based business fellowship. This concept began as a result of their entrepreneurial efforts to establish Praise Place Multipurpose Ministry Center, a multi service ministry complex that includes a restaurant, sound stage, bookstore, recording studio and Vision Center. Other outreach initiatives include First Ladies Fellowship and Education Summit.   Lady MaLinda is a sought after speaker to empower people in a variety of areas. She conducts the Lighthouse Leadership Institute that trains ministry leaders to function in excellence.  A fierce negotiator, she serves as Manager for Pastor Marvin’s recording contracts and has served as Executive Producer on many of the audio and video recordings. jc

	A passionate orator and biblical teacher who desires to be a living epistle glorifying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ both in word and in deed. Many say his voice instantly recognizable. Characteristically raspy ringing with power and authority as he masterfully illustrates with excellence the Word of God. Not only is his delivery exemplary, his knowledge of the historical text brings to life the message of hope and healing. Not a singer that happens to preach but a Preacher called by God who is gifted to sing. Singing since age four he has shared the stage with many gospel notables and his gift is celebrated across musical genres.     While he has enjoyed a decorated music ministry receiving Stellar Awards, Gospel Music Excellence Award as well as Grammy, Soul Train Music and Dove Award Nominations, he has also been honored in his hometown of Grand Rapids Michigan. Recognized for his professional and philanthropic efforts he has received the city’s highest African American honor, a Giants Award , as well as the Frederick Douglas award from the National Association of Negro and Professional Women’s Club. Not Complacent, yet pressing towards the Mark Currently as Founder and Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, one of the fastest growing churches in Western Michigan, he is innovative in his approach to winning the lost and edifying the believer. As a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan Pastor Marvin is committed to his community and enjoys taking the message to the masses. In his inaugural year, the ministry has initiated a Full Life approach with an emphasis of addressing the spiritual, physical and mental needs of the body.   By no means is Pastor Marvin and the Lighthouse family resting on laurels or taking credit for the well rounded and effective ministry approach. In fact, with humility, they acknowledge they have found the formula for a successful ministry in the word of God cultivated with a relationship with God.   Pastor Marvin is united in covenant to First Lady MaLinda Sapp, a gifted speaker, local college professor and Limited Licensed Psychologist, who also serves as Administrative Pastor. They have three wonderful children; Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson. "No, don't worry, you've got plenty of more later.