Preaching the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ for over 70 years.
Discover our leadership, vision, beliefs, and legacy.
Executive Board Officers
Bishop Dr. Malachi Haines, Sr.
Presiding Bishop & Executive Chairman
Bishop Leon Frison
Executive Board Member | Northern District Overseer
Bishop Leon Frison is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Greater Highway Church of Christ (4031 Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia, PA) where he served faithfully under the late Bishop Andrew J. Ford, Sr. After approximately ten years of serving in numerous capacities, he was led to minister in Chestertown, MD.
Pastor Frison has a rich musical background. He is widely known for his instrumental transcriptions and arrangements. He has recorded, accompanied, and/or written arrangements for several well-known gospel artists, including Barbara Ward Farmer and the Wagner Alumni Choir, the late Reverend James Cleveland, The Williams Brothers, and The Gabriel Hardeman Delegation.
Pastor Frison graduated from Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts (later known as University of the Arts) with a degree in Trumpet Studio-Jazz Emphasis. As a student at PCPA, Pastor Frison composed for the jazz band and also had one of his compositions choreographed by the dance department. He continues to exercise his musical gifts, which include producing radio commercials, presenting workshops, and teaching.
Pastor Frison holds certifications in Elementary and Middle School Education as well as Music (Pre-K-12). He is a retired public educator who has taught Elementary Education, Middle School ELA, Social Studies, Reading and Math Enrichment, and Instrumental Music, having as many as 133 band students on roll.
He is an active volunteer and mentor in the community. Pastor Frison is currently serving his 23rd year as Chaplain for the Kent County Detention Center and 11th year as Chaplain of the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company. He is the former Chairman of the Local Management Board for Children's and Family Services of Kent County, President of the Concerned Men of Kent County Inc., and a member of the Mid-Shore Council Against Domestic Violence Task Force. He served as a board member of the Responsible Fatherhood Coalition of Kent County and as vice-president of the Educational Enrichment Foundation of Kent County. Pastor Frison has also served as the Clergy Representative for the Hospice Foundation of Kent County. He has been awarded the Maryland State Department of Education Community Award and the Martin Luther King Jr. Award (Honorable Mention) by the Kent County News and the Chester Valley Ministers Association. Bishop Frison most recently received the Frederick Douglass Achievement Award from the Bayside H.O.Y.A.S.
Pastor Frison is one of the most involved ministers in Kent County. He currently serves on the boards of Kent Attainable Housing, The Kent County Police Accountability Board, and Kent County Family Promise. He believes that ministry does not begin and end in the pulpit and is well-respected by the elected officials of Kent County. His hobbies are target shooting, wood finishing, and composing music.
Bishop Frison is an ordained Bishop and Pastor in the Greater Highway Churches of Christ International. He is the Overseer of the Northern District GHCOC Churches and currently serves on the Executive Board and the Ordination Board. He and his wife, Lady Karen Frison, have been recognized nationally for their faithfulness. Pastor Frison preaches with all his might and strength under the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Bishop and Lady Frison currently reside in Millington, Maryland. They have been married for forty-three years and have 3 adult children.
Pastor Rosie M. Williams
Executive Board Member | International Mother
Pastor Williams’ journey began over 46 years ago, one August Sunday. Some of her “saved” family members from Fayetteville, NC came to Sharon Hill, PA for a Women’s Day service. With no intent of her own but at her family’s persuasion, she agreed to “visit” the service. She planned to stay for a short while and then leave, but as the service proceeded and an altar call was made (to come to Jesus), she found herself in the aisle. Before reaching the visiting preacher, the late Pastor Alice McKinnon, for hands to be laid upon her, she was “slain” in the spirit, where she was then “peeled” off the floor. In a matter of minutes, a total transformation of her mind had taken place! Not many days later, on a Wednesday night, she was baptized in the name of Jesus by Bishop Robert G. Johnson, Sr. (then Elder Robert G. Johnson, Sr.). Three months later, on a Wednesday night in her bedroom, she was filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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She was sincere in her endeavors to serve Christ. Under the leadership and guidance of the late Pastor Edna D. Johnson, then pastor of the Highway Church of Christ in Sharon Hill, she began her faithful service. She showed herself to be worthy of appointed positions in the church, such as Missionary Department President and Women’s Day Group Leader. Shortly thereafter, Pastor Johnson saw the work that God was doing in Pastor Williams to preach His Word. With no “initial sermon,” she was introduced before the people of God by Pastor Johnson as Minister Rosie Williams.
She continued to cry aloud and spare not, later holding national positions within the organization, such as First Vice-President of the Women’s Department, and later, President, for over 11 years. As the years passed, the Lord began to deal with Pastor Williams in her ministry. Before Pastor Johnson’s passing, she went to her regarding what God was doing, and advised, “You have to do what God tells you to do, and if it’s of Him, it will come to pass.” Pastor Johnson then gave her her blessing. Pastor Williams later consulted with the late Bishop R. F. Davis, Sr., about what the Lord was doing and received his blessing as well. This resulted in the founding of the Brighter Day Greater Highway Church of Christ.
During the church’s initial formation, Pastor Williams rented hotel conference rooms for Sunday church services and held Bible Teaching sessions in the basement of the home of Elder Brian and Missionary Kim Roberts (then Minister Brian and Sister Kim Roberts). Later, she rented a storefront that held 30, then moved four doors down to rent one that held 60. Years later, Elder Christopher Clements connected her with the owners of a church that was available for purchase. Because the people had a mind to work, and were obedient and diligent in paying their tithes and offerings, that secured building is (to this day) Brighter Day GHCOC of Chester, PA.
After continuing to be steadfast and unmovable, Pastor Williams was chosen by the late Bishop R. F. Davis, Sr. to become a member of the GHCOC Executive Board, and later was appointed as International Mother of the organization. She still holds those positions as she continues to pastor Brighter Day.
All in all, her summarized biography would say, “I once was lost, and now I’m found. Was blind, and now I see.” The motto of Brighter Day is, “Every storm leads to a brighter day,” and as Pastor Williams continues to exemplify unwavering faith and dedication to God, her local church, and her organization, she simply wants to hear the Lord say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant! Enter in!”
Bishop Trevor Augustus Gordon, JP
Honorary Executive Board Member | Jamaica West Indies Overseer
Bishop Trevor Augustus Gordon, JP, born on May 29, 1946, is a respected spiritual leader, community builder, and lifelong resident of Allsides, Trelawny, Jamaica. He attended Warsop All-Age School and later earned certification in General Construction through HEART Trust/NTA, equipping him with practical skills that have benefited both the church and his community.
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His walk with Christ began on September 7, 1969, when he accepted the Lord as his Savior. On November 10, 1969, he was baptized, received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and became a member of the Highway Church of Christ in Stettin (now Stettin Born Again Church).
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Bishop Gordon is a devoted husband to Minister Sylvia Gordon and the proud father of seven children. Together, they have built a family founded on faith, love, discipline, and dedicated service to God.
Answering God’s call to ministry in 1975, Bishop Gordon established the Highway Apostolic Church (Carterwood Branch). Through seasons of organizational transition, he remained faithful to the Highway Movement under the leadership of the late Presiding Bishop R. F. Davis of Marion, South Carolina. In 2002, he founded the Greater Highway Apostolic Church in Clarendon, where he continues to serve as Founder and Pastor. He also played a key role in reuniting and strengthening the Greater Highway Church in Falmouth under the Greater Highway Group of Churches International.
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In addition to his pastoral ministry, Bishop Gordon serves as National Chairman of the Greater Highway Group of Churches (Jamaica), an Ordained Bishop of Greater Highway House of Praise, a Justice of the Peace for the Parish of Trelawny, and an Executive Board Member of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).
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Known for his humility, integrity, and unwavering faith, Bishop Gordon lives by the motto, “Make room for God, and He will make room for you.” He believes the church should serve as a “mini-society,” nurturing godly values, strong character, and compassionate leadership.
With more than 51 years of ministry, Bishop Gordon’s influence extends far beyond the pulpit. Through mentorship and hands-on training in masonry and carpentry, he has equipped generations of young people with valuable life skills and opportunities. Together with Minister Sylvia Gordon, he continues to leave a lasting legacy of faith, service, and community transformation.
Deacon Lavern McDaniel
Executive Board Member | Senior Deacon | National Finance Chairman
Deacon Lavern McDaniel was born on May 3, 1949 to Mr. Willie McDaniel, Sr. and Mrs. Mattie T. Fladger McDaniel. He was the third child of this union. Lavern’s father raised him and his siblings in church and instilled biblical principles. Having received the Holy Ghost at the age of sixteen, he continued to live for Christ.
As he matured into a young man, he met and married the love of his life, Helen Ann Ford. To this union, three children were born - Bernadette, Lavern Jr., and Stephanie. Following the steps of his father, Lavern raised his family in the house of God and passed down his teaching to “train up a child in the way that they should go.”
Over the years, while serving in the Greater Highway Churches of Christ, Deacon Lavern was mentored by his father, Deacon Willie McDaniel, Deacon Lonzer McDaniel, and Deacon Charlie Ford, who helped cultivate his role as a deacon. In addition to receiving mentorship, he received great Apostolic teaching and training under the late Bishop R. F. Davis Sr., whom he served faithfully until his death.
By way of testimony, Deacon Lavern and his family were involved in a horrific car accident on Thanksgiving Day in 1983. After the accident, some people thought that he’d never walk again. He trusted and believed God and was determined that he would not only walk, but sing and give God praise for his miracle. Having been blessed by God to be able to walk again, he became even more dedicated to doing whatever he could to help build the works of the Lord and promote the Kingdom of God.
Deacon Lavern has served in several capacities over the years. Since 1983, he has served as the Sunday School Superintendent in his local church, a position that he still enjoys today. The torch of Finance Chairperson of the Southern District was passed to him, and he continues to operate in that position as well.
Under the new executive leadership of the Greater Highway Churches of Christ, Deacon Lavern continues to serve Bishop Malachi Haines, Sr., with the same dedication and commitment as displayed throughout his tenure in the ministry. As an executive board member, he is committed to upholding the standards, principles, and mission of the organization. He displays this with honor.
Through his unwavering faith and love for the house of God, Deacon Lavern can often be found encouraging those around him to stay with God no matter what. He gives willingly to the body of Christ and helps those in need. With his wife by his side, he works tirelessly in the church and remains steadfast and committed to the things of God.
Sister Benita Woodbury
Executive Board Member | Executive Secretary
Benita Y. Woodbury is a native of Latta, South Carolina. She is the fourth of five children of the late Mother Jeanette Woodbury and Loviest Woodbury. She is an honors graduate of Latimer High School and Barber Scotia College.
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Benita began her career as a teacher at Latta High School. Later, she became an administrative assistant to the Dean of Students, Vice President for Student Services, and the Provost at Francis Marion University, where she retired in 2021 after 36 years of service.
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Benita served as the personal secretary to the late Bishop R.F. Davis, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Greater Highway Church of Christ Association, Inc., for over forty years. A lifetime member of the Greater Highway Church of Christ in Latta, she has served in several leadership roles. Her work in her local church exemplifies her involvement at the district, national, and international levels, as she endeavors to execute the “gift of helps” as described by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 12:28.
Her loyalty and dedication, administrative skills, and good standing with the church resulted in her 2020 appointment as Executive Secretary of the Greater Highway Church of Christ Association, Inc. In this role, she serves as a member of the Executive Board and Coordinating Staff for international and district events.
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Benita has embraced the challenge quoted by Dr. Martin Luther King and paraphrased by the late Bishop Davis, “Do your job so well that the living, or unborn, would not do it better!” She strives for excellence and desires to please the Lord. One of her favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”