Four decades ago, a vision was given to an 87-year-old man of God. Today, Holy Temple is a thriving Apostolic family on Detroit's west side — and the vision yet continues.
In March of 1985, God gave Bishop G.W. Martin a vision of starting a new work. He shared it with his daughter, and upon hearing it she knew it was God. At 87 years young, Bishop Martin discovered a building at 13142 Puritan. He showed his daughter the building — and God showed her the blueprints.
Though the building was in distressed condition, they held firm in knowing that if God be for us, who can be against us.
The work was completed in just six months. In September 1985 the doors opened as Holy Temple Church of the Living God in Jesus W.C., Inc.
The Lord made it possible for Holy Temple to purchase a larger building right across the street. Bishop Martin had a vision, the members began to work, and again God blessed everything they touched. The first location became the George & Lillie B. Martin Community Center, in honor of our founder and his wife.
Bishop Martin pastored Holy Temple for eight years and was 95 at the time of his transition. Elder Joseph Waters, his assistant pastor, became Co-Pastor alongside associate minister Elder Fred Fallins until Elder Waters began to evangelize.
Elder Fallins worked diligently to continue the founder's vision, serving faithfully as pastor until 2003, when he retired to his hometown of Chattanooga, TN, where he now has a teaching ministry.
The Holy Temple family began to pray, "Lord, give us a Pastor." That pastor was right in our midst: Evangelist Pamela McClendon. She took her rightful place in the seat that once belonged to her beloved grandfather, and was officially installed as Pastor in June 2004.
Since then, Holy Temple's membership has tripled, and she has been led to launch outreach ministries that have drawn souls and motivated the ministry.
God showed Pastor McClendon a vision of Holy Temple in a location that stretched from corner to corner. In July 2006 that vision came to fruition: Holy Temple moved into a beautiful and spacious new edifice at 8590 Esper, our home today.
Because the leaders of Holy Temple have been faithful and have obeyed the voice of God, the vision yet continues — and there's a place in it for you.
Plan your visitHere at Holy Temple, we believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
We believe in baptism in Jesus' name for the removing of our sins, that we may receive from God the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:37–38). We are required to live holy (II Corinthians 7:1) and follow the example of Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:13–25), thereby overcoming the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God.
Commanded of God for all, and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
Acts 2:37–38For the removing of our sins.
Acts 2:38Received from God by all who obey the Gospel.
Acts 2:38Cleansing ourselves and perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
II Corinthians 7:1Following in His steps, even in suffering.
I Peter 2:13–25Overcoming the world by believing Jesus is the Son of God.
I John 5:5
Pastor of Holy Temple since 2004
In February of 1973, God poured His precious gift of the Holy Ghost upon His special and chosen child, Pamela Adams. There at New Liberty Apostolic Faith Church, Pam — at the age of 17 — was an anointed songstress, active in the Youth Ensemble, The Gospel Pearls and the Gospel Choir.
After many years of sharing her ministry in song at both New Liberty and here at Holy Temple, Pam acknowledged yet another call. In 1999 she accepted the call to preach the gospel to His people, delivering her first sermon — "Being Equipped with Your Own Given Weapon" — on November 6, 1999 in Denver, Colorado. Soon after, she blessed Holy Temple with a powerful and memorable message entitled "Our Inheritance."
Holy Temple is blessed to have her as our pastor, and we will love her and support her vision wholeheartedly.
In January 2002, under the advice of her pastor, Evangelist McClendon was licensed and certified by the State of Michigan. Recognizing the gift, Presiding Bishop G.M. Boone of the A.A.C. recommended her for ordination, and on July 10, 2003 in Cincinnati, Ohio, she passed a rigorous exam and was ordained with Elder status by the A.A.C. Board of Bishops.
On September 1, 2003, Evangelist Pamela McClendon stepped into her new position as Interim Pastor, and on June 18, 2004 she was officially installed as Pastor of Holy Temple.
Along with being a successful entrepreneur in the field of finance and a talented recording artist, Pastor McClendon is a devoted wife to her husband, Suffragan Bishop Luke A. McClendon, Jr., Pastor of Christ Temple Apostolic Church in Westland, and a loving mother to her three precious children.
Meet our pastor and ministry staff. Please feel free to reach out to any of us with questions — we'd love to hear from you.
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