Global United Fellowship

The Global United Fellowship (GUF) is an interdenominational and predominantly African-American denomination founded in 2013 by Bishop Neil Ellis. Established after resigning from the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, the GUF claims to embrace individual churches, ministries, fellowships, and pastors in its organization.[1]

Global United Fellowship
Seal
AbbreviationGUF
ClassificationProtestant
PolityEpiscopal
GovernanceExecutive Council
Presiding BishopJoel Peebles, Sr.
FounderNeil Ellis
Origin2013
Separated fromFull Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship
Congregations1,400+
Official websiteglobalunitedfellowship.org

History

In August 2013, Bishop Neil Ellis resigned from the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship after stating he wanted "to avoid a possible division within the fellowship."[2] Ellis was running a campaign to succeed Paul S. Morton as Full Gospel's presiding bishop. Upon resignation, Ellis and the Mount Tabor Church collectively left the Full Gospel Baptists;[3] all Full Gospel-affiliated churches in the Bahamas also left the fellowship, including some leaders from the United States and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

After a two-day meeting, the Global United Fellowship was formed.[4] Bahamian PM Perry Christie attended the launch of the GUF in 2013.[5][6]

In July 2016, Marvin Sapp—a Gospel artist—was consecrated as a bishop within the fellowship. During his episcopal consecration, the GUF's founder served as chief celebrant with Bishop J. Delano Ellis of the Pentecostal Churches of Christ as a co-consecrator.[7] Sapp was appointed over the Central Province of the Global United Fellowship.[8][9]

In July 2019, the GUF had grew from 41 churches at its foundation to more than 1,400 churches in 42 countries. As late as 2019, Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church was a member.[10]

In October 2023, Ellis retired as presiding bishop for the GUF. He was succeeded in office by Bishop Joel Peebles.[11]

References
  1. "Global Mission Statement". Global United Fellowship. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  2. Jones, Mike (August 21, 2013). "Bishop Neil C. Ellis Resigns from Bishop Morton and the Full Gospel Fellowship". uGospel. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  3. Beatty, Robert. "Bishop Neil C. Ellis resigns". South Florida Times. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  4. "Ellis speaks on new church fellowship". Tribune 242. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  5. "PM at launch of new church fellowship". Tribune 242. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  6. "Global United Fellowship of Churches launched in Bahamas". The Bahamas Weekly. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  7. "Marvin Sapp consecrated as Bishop in the Global United Fellowship". The Michigan Chronicle. 2015-07-19. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  8. Thomasos, Christine (2015-07-13). "Gospel Singer Marvin Sapp Becomes Bishop of Central Province of Global United Fellowship (Interview)". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  9. "Sapp Appointed GUF Metropolitan Bishop". The Los Angeles Sentinel. July 28, 2016. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  10. Blair, Leonardo (2019-07-07). "Declining church attendance causing depression in some pastors, Global United Fellowship is pushing back". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  11. Ugospel (2023-10-03). "Bishop Joel Robert Peebles, Sr. To Succeed Bishop Neil C. Ellis as the Next Presiding Bishop of Global United Fellowship". Philly's Favor 100.7 FM & 99.5 HD3. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
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