Bishop Michael Angelo
Frencher, Sr. is a native of Detroit, Michigan. In his early years, he grew
up at the St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Detroit under the late Reverend Dr.
William Carlton Ardrey. He served in various areas of ministry in the local
church as a faithful Layperson until he answered the call to preach. Bishop
Frencher has prepared himself, both spiritually and intellectually, having
received the Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Detroit, the
Master of Divinity Degree from Hood Theological Seminary; and the Doctor of
Ministry Degree from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. In 2013, he was
awarded the Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Hood-Speaks-Theological
Seminary in Nigeria.
Bishop Frencher has
served as pastor in several states: Mt Zion and Indian Hill A.M.E. Zion
Circuit, Fort Mill, SC, Mt Olivet A.M.E. Zion Church, Greensboro, NC, St.
Stephen A.M.E. Zion Church, Hamlet, N.C., Wesley Center A.M.E. Zion Church,
Pittsburgh, PA; and Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church, Greensboro, NC, where he
served as the longest tenured pastor for 20 years.
Bishop Frencher
participated in the work of the ministry in addition to being a faithful
husband to Gelenia, a loving father to Michelle and Michael Jr., a
father-in-law to Brandon Bell, Sr. and Rev. Anita M. Frencher, and proud
grandfather to Brandon Jamel Bell Jr. (affectionately known as “BB”),
Michael Angelo Frencher III (affectionately known as “Trey”) and Braylen
James Bell. He is faithful, dutiful and committed to whatever he sets his
heart, head and hands to do.
Bishop Frencher taught
at Hood Theological Seminary for 17 years and served as a member of the
Board of Christian Education and the Connectional Budget Board. Bishop
Frencher is presently serving as Chairman of the Board of Lay Activities. 2nd Vice
Chairman of the Connectional Budget Board, 1st Vice Chairman,
Board of Records, Research & Archives, 1st Vice Chairman,
Commission on Discipline Codification, Vice Chairman, Hood Theological
Seminary Board of Trustees, and Secretary, Livingstone College, Board of
Trustees.
Bishop Frencher is a
preacher of the gospel. He is God’s mouthpiece to deliver God’s Word to His
people. He communicates God’s Word to God’s people in a powerful, clear,
concise, and convicting way. In addition to being a preacher of the gospel,
he lives the gospel that he preachers. Bishop Frencher is a Life Member of
the NAACP, a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and holds
membership in several other organizations throughout the Country. Bishop
Frencher has received numerous awards and recognitions for services rendered
as a pastor and community leader.
On Friday, July 20,
2012 at the 49th
Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church,
Bishop Frencher was elected the 101st Bishop in Succession of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He was consecrated a Bishop on
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 in Charlotte, NC. His first Episcopal assignment was
to the Eastern West Africa Episcopal District. At the 50th
Session of the General Conference, Bishop Frencher received his 2nd
Episcopal assignment to the Southwestern Delta Episcopal District which
includes: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Mississippi, Texas, West
Tennessee-Mississippi Annual Conferences. At the 51st Session of
the General Conference, he received his 3rd assignment to the
Mid- West Episcopal District which includes: Trinidad-Tobago, Tennessee,
Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and his home state of Michigan.
Bishop Frencher lives by the scripture that
says; “I can do all things through Christ