Dr. James Lemuel Spence is an apostolic leader, pastor, author, educator, veteran of the United States Air Force, and community visionary whose life has been dedicated to serving both God and people. For more than four decades, he has faithfully served in ministry, equipping leaders, strengthening churches, and championing initiatives that bring lasting spiritual and community transformation.
A graduate of the University of Baltimore, Dr. Spence earned an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree in Management, Psychology, and Communication. He later received a Master of Divinity from Logos Christian College and a Doctorate in Religious Philosophy from The Tabernacle Bible Baptist College of Theology. As a lifelong learner, his commitment to growth, expanded thinking, and knowledge is evident in his theological insight.
As Founder and Presiding Prelate of Word World Harvest Fellowship, Dr. Spence provides apostolic leadership, mentorship, and spiritual oversight to a network of churches and ministries across the United States. He is widely sought after to train ministry leaders and organizers through leadership development, pastoral coaching, and biblical instruction. He has invested in generations of pastors and ministry leaders throughout the country.
Dr. Spence is also the founder and Senior Pastor of Word Empowerment Church (We Church) in Durham, NC. We Church is a thriving ministry committed to reaching the unchurched and the unsaved, while empowering communities through the message of Jesus Christ. Recognizing that ministry extends far beyond church walls,
Dr. Spence is the visionary and project leader for the development of Harvest Creative Community Complex (HC3), a multipurpose campus designed to serve as a center for faith, education, behavioral health, workforce development, youth engagement, and community collaboration. A tiny home community is also planned as part of the HC3 campus development.
Dr. Spence is an accomplished author, and his ministry has been featured on national Christian television networks including TBN, The Word Network, Impact Network, and TCT, extending his message to audiences across the country and around the world.
Dr. Spence is married to his partner in life and ministry, Lady Suzette Spence. Together, they are the proud parents of a beautiful blended family of six children and eleven grandchildren, leaving a legacy of faith, family, leadership, and service to the Kingdom of God for generations to come.
