Thirty-three 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!
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.