Pastor Lowell U. Collins

Pastor Lowell U. Collins is the seventh child born to the late Brother Artie and late Mother Marian Collins. Mother Collins often testified of being with child at an age when no other children were expected and from his birth, she recognized that he was a child sent from God.

A graduate of Washington Senior High School, he continued his education receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from Bowie State College. He received his Master of Science Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He continues to attend classes to maintain credentials as a Certified Social Worker so that he can effectively provide services. He later completed his studies in Counseling and Theology, earning a Ph.D. from Parkersburg Bible College in West Virginia. Though, he obtained much learning from man and books, but it was from God he received a divine call into the ministry. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Executive Leadership at the University of Charleston, Charleston, West Virginia.

In 1978, during his service in the United States Army, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and promoted to Captain. He was honorably discharged as a Major from the U. S. Army Medical Department. Pastor Collins has authored two books, “New Beginnings: A Guide for the New Believer” and “Your Debt is a Demon”, that are copyright by the U. S. Library of Congress in May 2000. His childhood years of church exposure were under the pastorship of the late Bishop James L. Brown. Obeying the preached Word of God, Pastor Collins repented, was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of his sins and received the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gave utterance. In 1982, under the spiritual leadership of the late Bishop William L. Bonner, Pastor Collins was ordained an Elder and worked faithfully with the COOLJC ministry for 14 years. Pastor Collins’ mission abroad included establishing churches in Germany, Norway, and Romania. In declaring the plan of salvation, he has ministered in Africa, Asia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Central America, Eastern Europe, England, Hungary, India, Italy, Jamaica, Wales, and the Philippines. He continues to build fellowship with believers in Argentina, Chili, and Indonesia, as well as other assemblies throughout the United States. After 15 years of living in Germany, Elder Collins speaks of divine intervention from God leading him to return home. Not fully understanding why, but being obedient to God, he began making frequent trips home while continuing to pray and fast for understanding and direction. The Lord further pressed upon him to reach other Apostolic brothers to develop a fellowship. From this vision was the beginning of the International General Assembly (IGA) of Apostolic Believers’ Fellowship. The IGA will host its twenty-sixth-year conference virtually in May 2022.

Elder Collins was installed as Pastor of the United Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith in Westover and Denton, Maryland, on March 28, 1999. Bishop M. J. Hernandez of Miami, Florida, officiated at the service and offered prayer for the Pastor and laypersons that God would continue to bless their labor in the gospel field. Over the years as Pastor, Elder Collins has labored diligently promoting unity in the Body of Christ. Much of his ministry has involved outreach and ministering locally and abroad. He established an International Mission Team in 2000 who have traveled to Africa, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, Jamaica, Romania, and the Philippines. He established prison ministry at Eastern Correctional Institute and Poplar Hill Correctional Facility where many souls were baptized. Pastor Collins continues to express his desire to work towards building fellowship with the people of God and to bring unity, faith, and love among the brethren. He strives to promote peace and harmony to strengthen the Body of Christ by ministering and showing respect and honor to the great men of God and their work. Pastor Collins is constantly seeking means of providing humanitarian services to the less fortunate at home and abroad. To find him taking food to the homeless who are sheltered under bridges, in the woods, or in shelters or handing out candy or some kind of treats to children is who he is and how he enjoys spending time. His unselfish acts draws others, even children, to join him in expressing love and concern to those who have fallen on hard times.

During the pandemic of 2020, and which yet continues, like other assemblies worldwide, the United Church held virtual services. This virtual platform enabled Pastor Collins and the elders to minister to people who would never have had an opportunity to enter the doors of the United Church; but people far and near are able to “attend” Sunday services weekly as well as the Bible study sessions on Wednesday evening. Pastor Collins sees himself as a brother-minister and servant, one who loves the “old time way”, and willing to be used by the Lord. His humanitarian heart takes him into places that are unfamiliar, but he does so to reach souls that are often forgotten and pushed away. He desires to reach people who are losing hope, many who are outside our sanctuaries and yet often within reach of the church; these are “the least among His.”

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