December 31st, 2011
Watch Night Service 7pm-10pm

All members, visitors and well wishers are asked to contribute a $100 seed offering on December 31.

Please use the tithe envelope to make your contribution. You may also mail your check to the church's address

(1927 E 32nd St.) payable to Universal Ministries.

All contributions of any amount will be graciously accepted.

CHIEF APOSTLE WILLIAM MELVIN PAYNE

William Melvin Payne, Jr. was born January 4, 1940, and was the fifth child to the proud parents of Susie and William Payne, Sr. William showed his leadership in the Indianapolis Public schools and always had a zeal to be “a leader”. He professed his belief in Jesus Christ at the Emmanuel Baptist Church and later joined the Universal Church of Truth of the First Born, where Rev. Ruth Beck was the Pastor.


Never one to be a pew sitter, William began working in the vineyard for the Lord. He served as an Acolyte and sang in the church choir. He was called by God to Preach the Word and was ordained and became the Pastor of Universal Church of Truth of the First Born in 1973, located at 1604 N. College Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana, by Clarence H. Cobbs of the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ. The church later relocated to 1927 E. 32nd Street in 1976.

Excelling in faith, strength and spiritual truth, he continues to be “a leader” not only in the church but in the community. Apostle Payne has accomplished many other accolades such as: Elevation to ‘Bishop, Recipient of a Doctor of Systematic Theology Degree; served on the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches; President of the Ministers Council; National Evangelist; in 1992 was appointed State Overseer of Indiana District 5 of the Metropolitan; in 1995 served as the Second Vice-President of the International Congress of the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc.

He has been a member of the Universal Ministries Worldwide Assembly, formerly Universal Church of Truth of the First Born, where he has served as Pastor for over 36 years.

In April 2007, Bishop Payne was elevated and consecrated as Chief Apostle of Universal Ministries Worldwide, Assembly and Universal Christian Organized Fellowship.

As Founder and Chief Apostle of the Universal Christian Organized Fellowship (UCOF) Apostle Payne’s vision for the community and for the world is that we minister according to the four-square ministry of Preaching, Teaching, Healing and Prophecy. Through advanced instruction and teaching according to the fivefold ministry as spoken in Ephesians 4:11-12, we will prepare to equip those who profess and possess the various gifts of the Holy Spirit to teach, preach, heal and prophesy and advance spiritual truth and theology; as well as train Deacons, Missionaries, Stewards, Singers, Musicians, and Laity in spiritual truth, and righteous living for the work of the Ministry according to the Holy Scriptures.