Bishop Marshall Carter

The late founder of The United Churches of God in Christ, Inc., Bishop Marshall Carter, III came from humble beginnings from Lilburn, Georgia. As a growing boy, the Lord spared him many times. There were (2) two-instances where he almost drowned in the Yellow River; twice in a day!

The plan of God was in the making for The United Churches of God in Christ – four decades before it was done. In 1940, Marshall Carter III met Lillie Fanning in Atlanta, Georgia. They were joined together in holy matrimony on November 9, 1940 and had four children.

Every Sunday night, Brother Carter took his family to a different church in the community. Beforehand, he'd ask, “Where do we go tonight?” The children’s reply was always the same: "The sanctified church!" The family ended up joining The Jones Avenue Church of God in Christ, where the then Elder George Briley was pastor.

After being endowed with the precious HOLY GHOST, the couple began having prayer meetings in their home as well as in the homes of others. They are now saved, and wanted others to be saved! Brother and Sister Carter were now ready to work for Jesus. These two new members in the church were to be the growth of that church! As time went on, Sister Carter became a licensed missionary, and Brother Carter became the Sunday school Superintendent as well as already being an ordained deacon. On January 1, 1980, Superintendent Marshall Carter was elevated to the Bishopric and was formally affirmed and installed as the first Chief Apostle & Presiding Bishop of the United Churches of God in Christ, Inc.