Our Founders
Word of God Fellowship was founded by the late Bishop Frank & Pastor JoeNell Summerfield in 1988 as Ye Are the Temple. As God spoke to Bishop Summerfield, he told him that Word of God Fellowship was the name the ministry was to be called going forward. The ministry started with 6 chairs in the kitchen, and its first members were their children Frank IV, Mitchell, Valisha, Joshua and Mother Locie Jones (Pastor JoeNell’s mother).
Bishop Summerfield and Pastor JoeNell Summerfield of 40 years lead Word of God Fellowship since its birthing. The ministry first started out of a store front next to a radio station off of Maywood Avenue in Raleigh, NC. As the ministry began to grow, God led Bishop Summerfield to acquire a new location downtown Raleigh on Davie Street. During this time Bishop Summerfield was only pastoring part time. Bishop Summerfield was an administrator for the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation for 14 years with his highest position being Superintendent of Recreation supervising managers and supervisors. Bishop Summerfield taught at Campbell University in 1973 as an assistant health professor. He also was head tennis coach and assistant basketball coach in charge of recruiting. He has also taught at Shaw University from 1988 to 1991 in the Department of Health, Recreation, and Physical Therapy. He also taught financial empowerment courses at Halifax Community College in Weldon, North Carolina.
It was in 1991 when Word of God Fellowship moved to 3000 Rock Quarry Rd and acquired 12 acres of land. Shortly after in 1993 Word of God Christian Academy & Daycare was established serving infants through the 12th grade. Hundreds of students have graduated from Word of God Christian Academy and has become a pillar in the community for Christian education.
As God continued to work through Bishop Frank & Pastor JoeNell Summerfield they acquired an additional 100+ acres, and as a part of the vision a community of single family homes were built on 51 of the land. Bishop Summerfield established Word of God Fellowship Dudley and commuted back and forth for many years. Word of God Fellowship has been home to many and has helped save the lives of thousands through its TV ministry. Bishop Summerfield traveled extensively throughout the country ministering the word of God to His people.
In July of 2017, Bishop Frank Summerfield transitioned to be with the lord. Two months later in September, God called Pastor JoeNell home as well. Their second eldest son Mitchell assumed senior pastor September of 2017 shortly after his mother’s death.
The legacy of the Summerfield’s is the many members of Word of God Fellowship, alumni and current students of Word of God Christian Academy, their many books Money Management Matters In Marriage, Knowing our Delegated Authority, God’s Formula for Personal Success and Prosperity, The Supernatural Power of Your Vision, All You Need is a Good Brain Washing, How to Make Your Marriage Produce Fruit, How to Turn Your Prison Into Your Prosperity, Why Relationships and Families Fail, Singles Prepare Before You Say I Do, and thousands of lives touched through their ministry.
