ABOUT wings
our history
Thirty-four years ago, Bishop D. J. Williams and Lady Ida Williams, Co-Founders of Wings of Love Maranatha Ministries, took their first step…having felt impressed by the Lord to begin a Ministry in the City of Oakland, CA. On September 3, 1988, they petitioned God to lead them to a place where they might minister to a congregation as yet unknown.
On Sunday morning, September 4, 1988, they set out to see where God would lead them. The first stop they made was 7007 MacArthur Blvd. After talking with one of the ushers they found out the church had just been sold. During that week, the late Bishop M. J. Clifton graciously opened his church located at 2305 – 90th Avenue in Oakland and on Sabbath, September 10, 1988, 13 charter members began praising God in word and song.
Approximately a year later, they were informed that a church was for sale at 1000-82nd Avenue, and being anxious to have a church home of their own, they began negotiations to purchase. God had another plan in mind and led Elder Donna Hayes to the new owners of 7007 MacArthur Blvd. Immediately negotiations for the church on 82nd Avenue were suspended and an Agreement was signed to lease the property where God led them that very first Sunday; thus, Wings of Love Maranatha Ministries is here today. PRAISE GOD!
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On September 10, 1992, Wings of Love had our first service at 7007 MacArthur Blvd. When the building became available for sale in December 1999, with God’s blessings and the sacrificial giving of Wings’ members, we purchased our present facility and the adjacent building at 6948 Foothill Blvd.
Wings Ministries continued to flourish under the direction of Associate Pastor David B. Franklin, including a Church Building Mission Project in El Porvenir, Honduras. Pastor Franklin also provided hands-on help and aid to the Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.
Bishop D. J. Williams, was known as the Praying Preacher as he prayed for everyone with whom he came in contact and would not hang up the phone without a prayer. As a result, Wings saw the manifestation of many prayers answered. Prayer and study of God’s Word became the primary focus for Wings of Love. Prior to Wings 25th year, Bishop’s health began to deteriorate. Our Associate Pastor Craig Dossman, Sr., became Senior Pastor and together with 1st Lady Mickey Dossman, led Wings of Love. Upon his retirement, Servant B. K. Woodson, Sr., served as Interim Pastor until Pastor Anthony Paschal, Sr. was hired as Senior Pastor and together with 1st Lady Hyomara took over the leadership of Wings of Love. Bishop D. J. Williams passed away in November, 2019 and Lady Ida is still active in church activities and serves on the Board of Directors.
On March 11, 2023 Dr. David B. Franklin was installed as the Lead Pastor along with his wife 1st Lady Cynthia W. Franklin and his two sons Malachi and Micah.
GIVE LOVE
SHOW LOVE
BE LOVE
GIVE LOVE SHOW LOVE BE LOVE
our PASTOR
Dr. David B. Franklin
From a very young age, God was preparing Dr. David B Franklin to be His servant-leader for this generation and for Wings of Love Maranatha Ministries.
As a youth, his wisdom, anointing and spiritual grounding became apparent to Dr. D.J. Williams, founder of Wings of Love, and his wife, First Lady Ida Williams, who invited Pastor David to serve as Youth Pastor at the age of 22. In the following years, he held multiple pastoral positions of progressive and expanding responsibility including Seminary Intern Assistant Pastor at Stratford Memorial in Chicago, IL, Associate Pastor of Berea Temple in Baltimore, MD, and most recently Lead Pastor of Miracle City Church in Baltimore, MD.
Pastor David’s ministerial experience is enhanced by his academic qualifications. He has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Oakwood University, a Masters of Divinity degree from Andrews University, and a PhD in Organization Development with Distinction from Cabrini University.
Over his 19 years in ministry, Dr. Franklin’s path has led him well beyond the walls of the church into the communities and lives of the people. His ministry and service are twofold: to spread the Word of God through teaching and preaching and to live its truth through tangible demonstrations of love for all people.
Through his focused commitment to that charge, Dr. Franklin has impacted lives across the globe by raising millions of dollars in support of grassroots organizations that strengthen local communities. He’s created and spearheaded programs to develop youth and young adult leadership in ministry by founding such organizations as Helping Hands International and the Jesus Gathering. He has led transformative community improvement initiatives including the Frederick Avenue Corridor Redevelopment Project which helped to revitalize educational, housing, health, and economic opportunities in Southwest Baltimore. This project was sparked by community service efforts that included renovating 30 flood impacted homes, donating over 100,000 diapers to parents in need, supporting 3,000 students with supplies necessary for their educational journey, and completing over 100,000 acts of kindness in an eight month period.
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Dr. Franklin will be the first to say that his greatest accomplishment was marrying the former Cynthia W. Ichoya. First Lady Cynthia W. Franklin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts, a Masters degree in Community & International Development, and a Masters degree in Social Work. She owns a private mental health counseling practice called The Couch, LLC that specializes in women’s issues, trauma, and women in transition throughout life’s journey.
Pastor David and First Lady Cynthia are the proud parents of two bright, analytical, and energetic sons – Malachi & Micah.
Pastor David’s life desire is to respond to the words of Jesus found in John 21:19, “and then He said, ‘Follow Me.’” Dr. Franklin followed Jesus’ calling on his life around the world and now he has followed the prompting of Jesus to come back home to serve as the Lead Pastor of Wings of Love.