The Honorable Bishop Charles M. Finnell
Diocesan
“How shall they hear without a preacher and how shall he preach except he be sent”…Romans 10:14, 15
Pastor Charles M. Finnell, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, is a spirit-filled “Jesus Only” preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and is the profound pastor of Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana, internationally known as the “Mother Church” of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (P.A.W.).
Pastor Finnell graduated from Shortridge High School and afterwards attended IUPUI where he majored in Business Administration. During this time, a major change came about that would profoundly influence the rest of his life. In 1968, at Grace Apostolic Church under the pastorate of the late Bishop Morris E. Golder, he was born into the family of God and later accepted his calling to preach the gospel message. He soon became one of Bishop Golder’s most devoted sons in the gospel, serving as Radio Announcer and known for having originated the introduction of Bishop Golder as, “…God’s man with the message to the city of Indianapolis, the nation, and the world…” He also served as Associate Minister, Sunday school teacher, Anniversary Chairman, Brotherhood Chairman, and in various other capacities as Bishop Golder and the Lord saw fit. He further exhibited his zeal and passion for the Word of God by attending Aenon Bible College and subsequently was ordained as an Elder by the P.A.W.
In 1980, he founded and became Pastor of the Apostolic Lighthouse Church in Bloomington, Indiana. At least twice each week for twenty-two years, District Elder Finnell, while still residing in Indianapolis and maintaining a full-time job with the U. S. Postal Service, regardless of weather conditions, traveled to Bloomington to minister to students from Indiana University and the Bloomington community at large. Under his leadership, God blessed the church to grow both spiritually and naturally. From its humble beginnings, a new church edifice was built and two homes were purchased – one for housing and the other renovated to house a multi-service center for the community. Many were blessed through such ministries as Campus Outreach, Jail Ministry, after-school tutoring program, Missionary Outreach, a Scholarship Fund, and a Community Feeding Program which included providing free meals for students each Sunday. It was during this time that Elder Finnell was elevated to District Elder by the P.A.W.
In September 2002, Pastor Finnell was called to pastor Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Assembly in Indianapolis and was subsequently elevated to the office of Suffragan Bishop. In 2008, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Theology from Grace Bible College in Louisville, Kentucky, and was elected Council Chairman of the Apostolic Bible Students Association (4th Episcopal District – Indiana). Also in 2008, Pastor Finnell was elevated to full Bishop in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, and assigned to the 50th Episcopal District, Nigeria West Africa, Western District Council. In 2023 Bishop Finnell was assigned to the 4th Episcopal District, The A.B.S.A. Council of Indiana.
As pastor of Christ Temple, Bishop Finnell continuously demonstrates the strong leadership capabilities that the people of God so desperately need, and not only does he lead in spiritual matters and with his presence, but also with his substantial financial contributions to the church as well as to the community. In the pulpit, he preaches the truth, in season and out, and leaves no room for doubt with his on-going message: “It’s all about Jesus!” He is a powerful man of prayer, easily accessible to both young and old. He administers comfort, kindness, and spiritual uplifting to the sick and shut-in, and to the bereaved. Significantly, he is strongly involved in urban ministry as he attempts to make a difference within the city and the surrounding neighborhood of the landmark church he now pastors.
A devoted family man, Bishop Finnell is married to Vivian Y. Price Finnell, and is the loving father of two sons, Anthony (Brenda), and Michael, and the equally proud grandfather of three grandchildren, Tiffani, Anthony, and Kourtnei. His great love for God is manifested by his integrity, faithfulness, and loyalty to his family, the people under his leadership, as well as all of God’s people. It is clear that God’s blessings are being bestowed on Pastor Finnell and that he has been placed at the “Mother Church” for such a time as this.