Bishop Donnie McGriff, Sr. Ph.D, Ed. D., D.D, was born in Phoenix, Arizona, to Snelson and Lillian McGriff. An ardent fear and reverence for God was put in the hearts of him and his eleven siblings at a young age. At the age of 15, he made his peace election sure and was baptized and filled with God’s Spirit. Dr. McGriff went on to graduate from Phoenix High School and at the age of 19, was joined in holy Matrimony to the lovely Shirley J. Williams. To their union six children were born: Donnie Jr., Kimberly (Charlie), Denedra (Kenneth), Dwight (Anthenna), Cassandra, and Dionne (Curtis). In addition to his children, he has 23 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is affectionately referred to as ‘Poppie’ by not only his grandchildren, but also by many of the children of Christ Temple Apostolic Church.

 

After relocating his family to San Diego in the early 60s, Bishop McGriff labored many years at Greater Apostolic Church in San Diego, where he served as a faithful lay member, deacon, and elder. In December of 1982, God spoke a revelatory word of instruction, directing him to began and establish his own ministry. Under spiritual obedience, Christ Temple Apostolic Church was birthed and from it many souls, ministers, evangelists, prophets, teachers, and even churches have been birthed. Through Bishop’s rigorous educational pursuit, Christ Temple has become a satellite site for the International Apostolic University, an accredited university by the Accrediting International Commission for Schools, Colleges, and Theological Seminaries. Additionally, 22 churches have been birthed from his leadership, and he oversees a diocese of 56 churches in India!

 

Bishop McGriff continued to serve faithfully in the California District Council 16th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. for over 45 years under the late Bishop R. Frank Bowdan, Bishop John Caldwell, the late Bishop Robert McMurray, and the late Bishop Henry L. Johnson.  During this time period, Bishop served as Asst. Chairman for the California District Council for six years. In 2009, Bishop McGriff was promoted to the office of Suffragan Bishop, where he oversaw Region One (San Diego area) of the California District Council. Bishop McGriff served diligently in this role, and upon the death of Bishop Henry Johnson, he was instrumental in keeping the morale and spirit of the council intact.

 

His many years of unwavering faithfulness would be the seed for his most recent promotion. At the 2014 PAW National Convention in Detroit, MI, Bishop—with his loving wife, Dr. Shirley, beside him—was consecrated to the office of Diocesan Bishop over the newly formed diocese, the Southern California District Council. In this role, he will be responsible for overseeing the implementation and expansion into unchartered territories throughout Southern California. To God be the glory! 

 

A self-proclaimed ‘people person’, Bishop McGriff takes time to establish a solid rapport with all those who he encounters. His life in Christ is evidenced by his love and compassion for his family, his church congregation, and anyone he comes in contact which—reaching  the total person, even those who are lost. Through charity and good works, he continues to inspire people and change lives by the theme of his church, “Preparing Families to Change the World.” Despite the many hats he wears, the accomplishments he’s been favored to achieve, and the many degrees he’s tirelessly earned, his life reflects one core mission: to constantly exemplify the love of Jesus Christ to everyone he encounters.