Suffragan Bishop Michael Bellamy was born August 18, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois. He is the fifth son and tenth child of fifteen children born to Bishop John P. and Mother Viola Bellamy. Affectionately, known as Marie, Lady Gwendolyn was born on March 31, 1961 in Chicago, Illinois. She is the third child of five children born to the late Henry and Mother Ruthie Mae Young.
Bishop and Lady Bellamy both attended Christ Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith under the leadership of a powerful teacher and preacher, the late Bishop John P. Bellamy. Bishop Michael Bellamy was baptized in Jesus' name at a young age and received the gift of the Holy Ghost in 1974. One year later, on August 6, 1975, Sister Gwen was baptized in Jesus’ name and would also go on to be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Bishop Bellamy married the love of his life, Lady Gwendolyn Marie Young on December 22, 1979. To this union seven beautiful, gifted and talented children were born: Andromeda Marie, Michael Pierre, John Prather III, Christina Michelle, Sabrina Denise, Cornelius (Co-Co) Preston and Daniel Patrick ( December 20, 1998 – January 7, 1999). God has also blessed Lady Gwen and Suffragan Bishop Michael Bellamy with 10 wonderful and energetic grandchildren: Mya, Michael (Duece), Martel, Alayna, Trenae, Maurice, Amariss, Marlon, Nylah and Matthew.
In 1990, Bishop Bellamy’s teaching and preaching ministry began when he answered the call from the Master to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout the years he grew in the knowledge of God and studied to show himself approved for God’s use, with the love and support of his wife, Lady Gwen. On May 27, 1995, he was appointed the 1st Assistant Pastor. In 1998, he became an ordained minister of the Gospel.
On March 6, 2005, Elder Bellamy's beloved father and pastor moved into the Office of Senior Pastor of Christ Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith, Maywood, Illinois (CTCM), thereby passing the pastoral reins. In August 2006, he was installed as Pastor. In February 2007, he was appointed District Elder by our Diocesan, Bishop D. Rayford Bell. He has served as Vice Chairman of the Illinois State Council Pastor’s Alliance. Later in August 2008, he was consecrated as District Elder.
During this time, Lady Gwen served in many capacities within the church: Women’s Ministry Chairperson, Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher, New Believers Teacher, Church Secretary, Sunday School Secretary, Youth Chairperson, Choir Director, and Prayer Band member to name a few. Most recently, she spearheaded and launched the CTCM Orientation Committee to better serve new members of CTCM and currently serves as the CTCM Chief of Staff.
Pastor Bellamy was elevated to the office of Suffragan Bishop in June 2016 and confirmed on August 2, 2017 at the PCAF 60th Holy Convocation in Louisville Kentucky, with the support of Lady Gwen. He currently serves in the Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa State Councils.
God has anointed Bishop Bellamy to teach, preach and lead His flock with enthusiasm, conviction and compassion. As a servant-leader, Lady Gwen’s passion is to serve the Lord and to be used as a vessel within the body of Christ and throughout the world.
Under the guidance of the Holy Ghost, Bishop Bellamy and Lady Gwen are mentoring deacons, evangelists and ministers. Christ Temple Maywood, now known as Christ Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith, International Ministries, is living the great commission by multiplying the ministry. Christ Temple is honored to encourage and support our very own District Elder Roderick Jones as he pastors a church in Waterloo, IA. Souls have been baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost at the Spanish outreach mission in Ottawa, IL and residents in the far western Chicago suburbs have been given an opportunity to hear the Apostles’ Doctrine at weekly sponsored Bible Study. Bishop Bellamy is currently facilitating the planting of churches in South Dakota.
Like his father, Bishop Bellamy will continue to preach and present the options of Holiness or Hell. He motivates the old, inspires the young and he is moving the Saints with passion towards a greater love for God. He is the right person anointed and appointed for such a time as this. Lady Gwen considers it a privilege to serve God’s people and to win souls to Christ, she is yet committed to show the love and compassion of Jesus Christ to whomever she encounters regardless of their age, race, gender, religion or educational and economic background.
Suffragan Bishop Bellamy and First Lady Gwen’s passion and purpose are fueled by their favorite Bible passages:
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" Romans 8:1 “
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11