About The Pastor
Bishop Marvin W. Alexander, Sr. - A devoted servant of God, leading with dedication and integrity for nearly five decades. From humble beginnings to impactful leadership, his journey exemplifies faith, commitment, and love for God's people.
Servant
Bishop Marvin W. Alexander, Sr.
Bishop Marvin W. Alexander, Sr. is a man called according to God’s purpose, a jewel to the body of Christ; sent to preach the acceptable year of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Bishop Alexander was born to the late Mrs. Gertrude Oxendine Sims & Mr. Henry Lewis in Latta, South Carolina. He has thirteen siblings. One brother, Johnny Lewis and twosister, Faye Dingle & Jackie Sims who have departed this earth. Bishop Alexander was reared by his maternal grandparents the late Wesley Alexander and Arnetha Alexander. He was educated in the public school system of Dillon County and is a 1974 graduate of Latta High School. While at Latta High School, Bishop Alexander was a school bus operator for two years. Furthering his post-secondary education at Florence-Darlington Technical College, Bishop Alexander graduated in 1977 receiving an Associates of Science Degree in Agronomy. Graduating with honors in the top 5% of his class, he was named to the 11th Annual Edition of Who’s Who Among American College Students. Upon completion of studies at Florence-Darlington Technical College, Bishop Alexander received and accepted an offer of employment from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture as a State Inspector for Consumer Services. Bishop Alexander worked for the Department of Agriculture for thirty-three years and served as Supervisor of Inspectors for the Department before retiring in December 2012.
Bishop Alexander was united in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life, the late Teacher Ruth Annette Cunningham Alexander of Latta, South Carolina. Two children were born to this union; Makeisha Anniel (James) Washington & Marsden W. Alexander, II (Latoya). Bishop is also the proud grandparent of Jayda Sherrell Alexander and a loving “PaPa” to many. Although Makeisha and Marsden are the only two biological offspring, Bishop fathers many spiritual children and God-children.
The Ministry
Bishop Marvin W. Alexander, Sr. felt the first call of God upon his life, the call to repentance, after taking heed to the voice and direction of God for his life. Bishop Alexander received the baptism of the Holy Ghost under the tutelage of the late Bishop James Wod’z, Senior Pastor of the Saint James Apostolic Church in Latta, South Carolina. Under the pastorate of Bishop Wod’z; Bishop Alexander held many positions within the local church. Bishop Alexander served as church sexton, usher president, choir director, Sunday school teacher, deacon & minister; all for the work of the ministry and the perfecting of the saints for the edifying of the body of Christ.
In the summer of 1974 Bishop Alexander felt another call of God upon his life. It would be at this time the Lord would begin to divinely write the words of Isaiah 53:2 upon the wall of his spirit: “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground”. Bishop Alexander preached his initial sermon in September of 1974. God was glorified and souls were edified as he preached the word of God with power and demonstration.
Being obedient to the call of God, Bishop Alexander stayed, actively serving in the Saint James Apostolic Church until he began to be led by the spirit to feed the sheep. Bishop Alexander began to feel the anointing of God to pastor. In 1979, Bishop Alexander opened the doors of the Starlight Apostolic Faith Church in Pee Dee, SC. The Lord added to the ministry and souls were coming to repentance under his leading. In 1982, the building was destroyed by fire and Bishop & Teacher Alexander moved the services of Starlight into their home. Later on in that same year, the late Elder Nathan & Mother Rebecca Johnson gave Bishop Alexander & The Starlight Family an invitation to share their building and worship with them at their church on Pennsylvania Avenue in Florence, SC (This church is presently Highway Christian Church of Christ, # 2). In the spring of 1984, after sharing services with Elder & Mother Johnson, the late Bishop J.V. Lomax of New York, New York, former Presiding Bishop of the Highway Christian Churches of Christ, Inc. gave Bishop Alexander an invitation to become Senior Pastor of the Highway Christian Church of Christ #1, 637 South Gaillard Street in Florence, South Carolina and a member of the Highway Christian Churches of Christ, Inc. After much prayer and fasting, Bishop Alexander accepted the offer and became Senior Pastor of the Highway Christian Church of Christ, #1 in Florence, SC.
I Timothy 3:1 states, “This is a true saying if a man desires the office of a Bishop, he desires a good work”. In September of 1993, upon recommendation of the Executive Council and Confirmation from the Board of Bishops, Pastor Alexander was consecrated to the Bishopric. After his elevation to the Bishopric he was appointed the Southern Diocesan of the Highway Christian Churches of Christ covering the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Bishop Alexander has worked for many years within the Highway Christian Churches of Christ, Inc. He has served as National Choir Member, Executive Council Member, Board of Bishops, General Secretary and currently serves as the 1stAssisting Vice-Presiding Prelate of the Highway Christian Churches of Christ, Inc. headquartered in Washington, DC.
In 2019, during Bishop Alexander’s 40th Pastoral Anniversary, the city of Florence, SC proclaimed September 28th as, Bishop Marvin W. Alexander, Sr. Day. After four decades of Pastoral Ministry, Bishop Alexander is still committed to the service of the Lord. He believes in integrity in the pulpit and clean living. Bishop Alexander’s desire for this people is that we would be a haven for the saints and a ministry of excellence.
As of 2024, Bishop Marvin W Alexander, Sr. will celebrate 50 years of preaching, 45 years of Pastoring, and 31 years of Episcopacy.