Bishop Michael Dean Chapman Sr. D. D., a native of Baltimore, Maryland, is the son of Mr. And Mrs. William Timmons.  Bishop Chapman received his early education in the Baltimore City Public School System, later attending Morgan State College.  He later enrolled in the Beth-El Temple School of Ministry under the auspices of the Logos Christian College and Graduate Schools in Jacksonville, Florida, where he received a Diploma in Biblical Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. 

Bishop Chapman received a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Counseling and a Doctorate of Divinity degree from the York International Christian University and Divinity School, with its headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  In the spring of 2006, Dr. Chapman became a duly licensed Chaplain in the State of Maryland.

Bishop Chapman accepted Christ to be Lord over his life in 1974 and joined the Highway Church of Christ under the leadership of the then Elder Robert Evans, Jr. During this time in ministry, he proved to be committed, faithful, and diligent in his pursuit of God and grew as the ministry grew.  Under the leadership of the late Apostle Robert Evans Jr., the Highway Church became the current Beth-El Temple Church of Christ, Inc., which stands as the national headquarters for the Beth-El Churches of Christ, Inc. (BCOC) under the oversight and auspices of His Eminence, Bishop Bernard Nathaniel Bragg, Presiding Prelate.

While at Highway (now Beth-El Temple), Bishop Chapman served on many groups, ministries and auxiliaries.  He served on the Missionary Board, the Trustee Board, the Deacon Board, the Ushers, Pastor’s Aide president and treasurer, founder and president of the Athletic Department, Men’s Ministry president (both locally and nationally), member of the Brothers of Fellowship (singing group), the recording choir of the Beth-El Temple Church of Christ, The Voices of Christ, and New Members Pastor.

Bishop Chapman’s ministry has spanned the length of the East Coast, Midwest, and the Caribbean Islands and has afforded him many opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ..  The Lord has used him to preach revivals and conferences and to conduct seminars and workshops.  For several years, Bishop Chapman was on the staff of the Men’s Correctional Facility in Jessup, Maryland where he taught and ministered to the male inmates weekly.

As the vision of the late Apostle Evans expanded, it included the birth of several new ministries founded by his sons.  Upon the release from Apostle Evans in March 1999, Elder Chapman established Word Alive Christian Fellowship, Inc., (WACF) with its motto, “Where the Word is manifested through disciplined disciples.”  In October of 2004, Elder Michael Dean Chapman Sr. was consecrated to the Office of the Bishop during the BCOC Holy Convocation in Richmond, Virginia by Beth-El's Prelate, Bishop Bernard N. Bragg.

Bishop Chapman can best be described as a leader with his ear always next to the mouth of God to hear a Word from God for His people.  He is a man of integrity, having a heart and compassion for the people, and a leader with the spirit of well-doing as described in Galatians 6.  To Bishop Chapman, the work of the Kingdom and the Church of God are the most important institutions in his life along with his family.  Bishop Chapman states that his only goal is to please the Lord and to help in building the Kingdom of God.  As he strides towards his quest in God, he stands firmly on the Word of God that says, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, and that I will seek after, to behold the beauty of the Lord and inquire in His temple.”  For the desire of his heart is to please God!

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