Elder Samuel McGhee, Jr.

A Home Going Celebration For Elder Samuel McGhee, Jr.: Samuel McGhee, Jr. entered this world October 25, 1937 as the first of two sons born to Samuel, Sr. and Williette (Bunton) McGhee in Chicago, Illinois. From an early age Samuel was known as a tenacious fighter! He often told the story of his first memory. He was only two years old when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He overheard the nurses discussing how he was not expected to make it through the night. After they exited the room, turned off the light, and closed the door, he stood up in the crib and used the walls to work the crib around the room until he could turn the light back on. This became the vantage point from which he would live his life, defying others’ negative expectations of him. His childhood and teen years were filled with the joy and “busyness” of youth. Having accepted Christ at an early age, church activities occupied much of his time. He attended Chicago Public Schools, Moody Bible Institute, and Woodrow Wilson (now Kennedy-King) Junior College, where he began serious pursuit of what he believed would be his career, that of a concert musician. His talent as a soloist was soon recognized and frequent concerts became part of his crowded schedule. In 1956, Christ Temple Church of Christ (Holiness) USA (COCHUSA), Chicago, rejoiced as one of its faithful young men recognized and acknowledged the Lord’s call to ministry. He was licensed under Bishop M. R. Conic, and ordained under Bishop O.W. McInnis. In his early years of ministry, he served the Lord singing in the choir, as president of the Holiness Young Peoples Union (H.Y.P.U.), and as an author of H.Y.P.U. literature that was used in COCHUSA’s Illinois, Indiana, Iowa district. He organized an annual banquet for Christian high school graduates, and was youth leader for Evangelism Incorporated. Somewhere amid all his activities, he met and won the heart of Mary Hankerson. The two were married in 1958 and served the Lord together for 50 years. To this union, five children were born: Christina, Samuel III, David, Mary, and Catherine. Perhaps as preparation for future service, God led Elder McGhee to co-organize Second Temple COCHUSA, in Chicago, before he was assigned to his first pastorate in Birmingham, Alabama, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, where he remained for one year. In 1962, he was assigned to Sutter Street COCHUSA, in Montgomery, Alabama, where he led the congregation for more than a decade. Under his leadership the church was incorporated under the name Christ Temple, land was purchased, and a new church building and parsonage were erected. During his time in Montgomery, civic affairs were important to him. Consequently, he was compelled to participate in the Civil Rights Movement, including the historic March from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Additionally, he served as the Chairman of the Montgomery Church Committee of the N.A.A.C.P., Vice President of the Montgomery Improvement Association (one of the founding organizations of the Southern Leadership Conference), and President of the Emancipation Proclamation Association. From 1971-72, across five southern states, each Sunday, Elder McGhee’s distinctive voice reached out to thousands with a message of joy, hope, and the love of Christ through “The Hour of Praise,” a radio broadcast sponsored by the Extension Board of the COCHUSA. In 1973, under the leadership of Bishop O.W. McInnis, he was installed as the pastor of Zion Chapel COCHUSA in Detroit, Michigan, where his love for youth ministry continued. During his brief time there, many of the church’s current leaders were encouraged to pursue service to Christ. In 1975, with the blessing of Bishop O.W. McInnis, Elder McGhee and a small faithful band of believers founded New Hope Progressive on Scotten at the corner of Horatio. He experienced great joy as the Lord used him to win more souls for Christ, and the nation. Under his leadership, the church saved over $50,000 and secured additional funding to purchase its current location at 4630 Oakman Blvd in October of 2007. He continued to pastor the church until a sudden health crisis, in June 2011, caused him to become incapacitated. Gifted with an entrepreneurial spirit, Elder McGhee saw the need to record COCHUSA’s conventions at the local, district, diocese, and national levels. He could be found offering recordings of the meetings immediately following services. For over 30 years he recorded some of COCHUSA’s most powerful sermons preached by the likes of Bishops Conic, McPherson, and McInnis. Always determined to do his best, Elder McGhee was always attending workshops and seminars to expand his base of knowledge. In 1978, he obtained a Certificate from Detroit Bible College and went on to complete his Associate of Arts Degree from Wayne County Community College in 1981. In addition to pastoring churches, Elder McGhee was employed with the United States Postal Services for over 24 years. Upon retiring from the Post Office, in 1992, he was not content to sit around. He obtained his Certification as an Addictions Counselor in 1998 and served at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries and Elmhurst House. He also taught various classes for Adult Well-Being Services. He continued his education at Central Michigan University, acquiring a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Community Development: Public Administration. One of Elder McGhee’s favorite hobbies was trying new restaurants with family and friends. From the River Crab to Sero’s, he loved dining out and chatting (or debating) with loved ones or any conversationalist he happened upon. Ultra-competitive, he and his wife often battled each other and family members in Monopoly, Sorry, checkers, and other games for fun. To the dismay of his competitors and to his delight, he would often find words in the dictionary, during games of Scrabble they thought he made up. However, to his dismay he rarely won against his beloved wife, Mary. A lover of physical activity, in his early years he ran track in high school and was also an excellent swimmer. As his children grew, he could be found roller skating, bowling, jumping rope, or racing with children during church youth activities or in his local neighborhood.

Elder Samuel McGhee, Jr.

October 25, 1937 - August 10, 2017