Pastor Andrew Ellison

Andrew Clinton Ellison

Andrew was born in Lansing Michigan, attended Lansing Schools and Lansing Community College. He retired from the MDOC in 2015 after 31 years. He’s received a certification of completion of Rhema Bible Training Correspondence Course and is an ongoing student of the Word through other accredited bible schools across the U.S.

Andrew accepted Jesus as Savior at age 6, and accepted the call to preach at age 17 being filled with the Holy Ghost in April 1980. Andrew came under the ministry of Pastor Howard and PolLe Davenport at Lansing Christian Center in 1982 first serving as pianist, and assistant choir director. After leaving for a time and returning in 1992, he served again as worship leader, musician, Music Department Director, preacher and teacher, New Members and Workers class instructor, advisor to Men of Integrity and Purpose, Home Care Group Leader and generally assisting founding Pastor Davenport with the spiritual affairs and guidance of the church as requested until Pastor Davenport’s transition on March 14, 2022.

In April 2022, Andrew was asked to accept the appointment to Assistant Pastor of LCCC, and be Interim Sr. Pastor of the congregation by Lady Davenport and the Trustees of LC3. Upon the confirmation by the congregation Andrew was called to the Senior Pastor and installed, April 27th, 2024, ordained by a Presbytery of Elders led by Pastors Robert and Beverly Jenkins with his wife Tori at his side helping in this assignment.

Andrew and Tori are committed to the Lord to teach, preach, play, sing, praise and model the gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to all people. The Word of the Lord to Andrew is to fulfill the vision of LCCC and cooperate with the anointings on his life seeing the goodness of the Lord and paths of growth and increase for LC3 for decades to come. Andrew has great Godly grace and wisdom with sinners, the unchurched and discipling new and immature believers, life to life. Tori assists Andrew in nurturing their children and grandchildren with her patience and humor and in pastoring as the Media Director of LC3 with great skill. Tori has the spiritual gift of the Word of Knowledge which is often released in very practical yet subtle ways.

Andrew and Tori currently reside in Alma MI, where they enjoy country surroundings, animals, long distance road cycling, home DIY projects, cooking and traveling. They are the joyful parents of 8 grown children and 9 grandchildren.

Meet the Team

The Associate Pastors are ordained Ministers who support and assist the Senior Pastor in serving the local congregation, community and vision and mission of the church.

Associate Pastor

Sandra McGill

Pastor Sandra McGill was born and raised in Tennessee and graduated from Tennessee schools. After being convicted by the Holy Spirit about being born again, she received salvation and was led to relocate to Lansing, Michigan. Sandra joined the congregation of LCCC in 1984. In addition to her position as an Elder, Sandra is a worship leader and a strong soprano in the Praise Company, an advisor to the Women of Vision Ministry, a group prayer co-leader, and bible class teacher at LC3, as well as being one of the original Home Care Group leaders in the early 2000s.

In approximately 1994, Sandra accepted the call to the ministry and began preaching the gospel. She was licensed to preach by the founding Pastor of LCCC Reverend Howard Davenport. and served under his pastorate until his passing. In April 2024, Elder McGill was ordained to the office of Associate Pastor by current Pastor Andrew Ellison where she continues to faithfully serve the ministry.

As an Associate Pastor, Sandra believes that she is called to help feed and watch over the sheep, to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in the operation of the gifts of the Word of knowledge and Word of wisdom, and to lead anointed worship and praise. Sandra's desire and goal is to fulfill her assignment in God's Plan for LC3 and the Body of Christ as a whole. She desires to see the Kingdom of God manifested according to the pattern found in the Word and to see every member of the body enjoy their inheritance in Christ and excel in the knowledge of God.

Sandra resides in Lansing with husband Chuck McGill and is proud mother to "#1 Son" Kaci. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and sports.

Associate Pastor

Katie Thomas

Pastor Katie Thomas is a native of Clarksdale, Mississippi. She graduated and earned a degree in Liberal Arts and a certification in Elementary Education.

Katie received salvation through Sister Ann Benson in 1981 and became a member of Lansing Christian Center Church under the pastorate of the late Pastor and founder Howard Davenport. Katie received the Holy Spirit after reading Brother Copeland's mini book on receiving the Holy Spirit.

Katie has served several congregations as usher, Bible School teacher, church janitor, prayer leader, children’s minister, ministry leader, and speaking at women’s meetings. Her public ministry before a congregation began in 1989 in Jackson, Michigan under the spiritual leadership of Pastors Eugene and Theresa Parker. In 2024, she was ordained to the office of Associate Pastor by Senior Pastor Andrew Ellison in Lansing Christian Center Church. There she also currently serves in the roles of prayer leader and one of the platform overseers of services at LC3.

As an Associate Pastor, Katie feels her calling is to obey God's Spirit in leading His people into a deeper relationship with Him. Katie's vision for the Kingdom of God and LC3 is to see more anointed men fulfill their leadership roles within the body of Christ as God established. Katie's desire and goal is to help all believers mature in Christ and exemplify God's plan for them to have a personal commitment to Him.

Katie lives in Lansing and her family consists of two daughters, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. She enjoys walking, jogging, jigsaw puzzles, redesigning clothes, and movie Tuesdays

Associate Pastor

Marinell White

The Lord planted Elder Marinell at LC3 in October 2014. She came to the ministry as a licensed and ordained minister of the gospel. Marinell serves as a worship leader, member of the Praise Company, pianist and bible teacher. She is prominently known in Lansing and surrounding communities as a member of the Pullin Sisters, with whom she has been singing into their 6th decade. In April of 2024, she was appointed to the office and role of Associate Pastor at LC3 by Pastor Andrew Ellison and states she intends to remain a part of this body until Jesus returns.

As an Associate Pastor, Marinell believes that whatever the position she, or the saints are in, we are all commissioned by God to feed God's sheep and nurture them in love; and to tell every nation that He reigns. We are to make disciples of men, not just church members. Marinell believes that prayer is a wonderful communication that we have or do to maintain the presence of God, along with worshipping. Most imortant, she has learned what it means to pray in the Spirit.

Marinell's greatest dsire is to see Jesus, and while here on earth, see miracles of salvation. Additionally, Marinell desires that her teaching of the word will be more in-depth and effective, whether to a crowd, or more importantly to her, one to one.

Marinell resides in Lansing where she enjoys jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles (the easy ones) and in time past, crocheting and Scrabble. She continues to influence her own family generations as !a mother, grandmother great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother

LANSING CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH HISTORY

Howard Davenport, Sr.

June 13, 1938 - March 14, 2022

Founder and Pastor of Lansing Christian Center Church, Howard Davenport. Sr.,of Lansing Christian Center Church (LCCC). His disciplined approach to God's Word strengthened his ability to expound on various biblical topics. He stressed the importance of each person knowing God intimately by developing a prayer life based on the Word of God.

He authored several publications: Making the Legal Vital, Daily Confessions, and I Am Born Again...What Happened?

LeOra PolLe Davenport

October 07, 1943 - September 06, 2024

From the state of Arkansas. She was the proud mother of four children, three grandsons, three granddaughters, and two adopted daughters. She was married to the senior pastor of Lansing Christian Center Church, Howard Davenport. Sr., and was instrumental in its establishment. She diligently served in the administrative capacity of the ministry for several years. Her faith in God was deeply anchored and the Lord began to express a Psalmist anointing with new worship songs and inspired writings to reveal God's truth in a new dimension. She transitioned this life on September 6, 2024.