About Perfecting
Church

Perfecting Church was established through a divine calling given to a young preacher and singer, Marvin L. Winans. While he surrendered at Shalom Temple, the Holy Spirit delivered a prophetic message to him. Under the guidance of Mother Estella Boyd, who laid hands on him, the power of God overwhelmed him, and he fell into a deep state of reverence. In that moment, he envisioned a stream of people approaching him, and the Holy Spirit declared, “they are coming to you.”

Initially hesitant to embrace this call to pastoral leadership, Pastor Winans found himself wrestling with his reluctance. The more he resisted, the more the comforting presence of the Lord faded. Realizing that he couldn’t forsake God’s presence, he eventually surrendered to His will. As he began to say “yes,” he felt the Spirit fill him with renewed vigor. He glanced again and saw a multitude approaching—individuals from diverse backgrounds—and the Spirit reiterated, “they are coming.”

And so, they did.

Perfecting Church held its inaugural service on May 27, 1989, and has since blossomed into a multi-location ministry recognized internationally. Starting humbly with just eight members in the basement of Pastor Winans’ home, the church quickly moved to the Michigan Inn for its first official gathering. After five months, they transitioned to the Urban Ministries Center, and soon found a welcoming home with Pastor Roosevelt Williams and the Greenfield Avenue Church of God. Within seven months, the church had outgrown this location, necessitating another move. Reverend Moore and the congregation of the People’s United Methodist Church graciously opened their doors to them. 

Just four months later, Perfecting Church was blessed to acquire its own building at 13220 Greenfield in Detroit, Michigan. Pastor Winans believed this location would suffice for several years, yet within seven months, they had once again outgrown the space. Faced with the choice of renovation or relocation, the Lord guided him to add another service. This decision led to the creation of the 10:45 a.m. worship service, which quickly became filled to capacity. After two years, an 8:00 a.m. service was introduced, revealing another challenge: many members did not know one another. How could they truly become one body if they never worshipped together?

In response, Pastor Winans initiated a First Sunday Service at Cody High School, allowing the entire church family to gather in one space. This new venture, starting in February 1994, fulfilled two crucial needs: it fostered unity and prepared the church for a future larger venue. The First Sunday Service continued until Perfecting Church moved to its current location at 7616 East Nevada in March 1996, beginning with one service at 3:00 p.m. The church quickly grew, prompting the addition of the 10:45 a.m. service.

From the outset, Pastor Winans emphasized that “Ministry Means People,” and it has become the mission of Perfecting Church. With ministries addressing a wide range of societal issues, from drug addiction to poverty, the church actively seeks to heal the wounds of the community. This commitment led to the establishment of the Perfecting Community Development Corporation, which supports initiatives like the Marvin L. Winans Academy of Performing Arts, the Amelia Agnes Transitional Home for Women, the Jenesta McCraw Youth Activity Center, and the Perfecting Community Care Center.

Affectionately known as Perfecting, the church is experiencing God’s favor as it grows and expands. Soon, Perfecting Church will relocate to the intersection of 7 Mile & Woodward. The new campus will encompass over 20 acres, featuring a 4,300-seat sanctuary, a parking structure, office spaces, and market-rate condominiums. As a ministry, Perfecting Church is dedicated to fulfilling its divine purpose—not for recognition, but to serve the community, always remembering the vision given to Pastor Winans: “they are coming to you.”

Perfecting Church… “Still So Much More!”