Bishop Howard Tillman has traveled the world preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has served in local, state and national leadership capacities and shattered conventional styles of worship, preaching and leadership. Yet with all he has accomplished, he has remained unassuming and humble.

A native of Springfield, Ohio, Bishop Tillman was raised to believe in the power of prayer, the application of the Word, and serving others. These roots influenced his decision as a teen to formally accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior; three months later, in January 1967, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit.

By 1969, Bishop Tillman had accepted his call to minister the Gospel, moved to Columbus, and married Glenneth M. Newman. He graduated from Aenon Bible College in 1975 with a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Education. During this time, Bishop Tillman was also an active member of the Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith, where he excelled in leadership roles and served as the church’s youth ministry leader. He was ordained as a minister in 1975.

Bishop Tillman’s life journey is bursting with numerous faith steps. One of his first occurred in 1978 when God directed him to leave his managerial position at a local financial institution and forge ahead as founder, president and chief evangelist of The End-Time Revival Evangelistic Crusade (TETREC). The crusades, led by Bishop Tillman, and the choir that was birthed from the organization became nationally known; the choir recorded three live albums.

Another faith step prompted the birth of New Covenant Believers’ Church, Inc (NCBC). The ministry held its first service on Nov. 5, 1989 at the King Arts Complex. Within five years, the church had outgrown the facility, purchased more than 40 acres of land and built its current sanctuary. In 1999, the ministry erected the Focus Center, a 52,000 sq. ft. building that houses an early childhood learning center, a fitness center, fully equipped kitchen, classrooms and administrative offices.

The New Covenant Believers’ Church mission is “Bringing Live Into Focus with the Word to Serve.” ™ The ministry desires to create disciples who understand that serving others through acts of kindness and love will compel others to Christ. Bishop strongly believes in holistic ministry; out of this belief NCBC Human Services Corporation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was created to promote and provide health/wellness and fitness programming, early childhood education, and other community outreach partnerships.

In 2006, an Episcopal Consecration and Ordination service was held, elevating Tillman to the office of Bishop. Tillman has written two books, “Deliverance from Denial” and “I Need a Ride”.
Bishop Tillman and his wife and life partner in ministry, the former Glenneth M. Newman, have been blessed with three sons, and are proud and active grandparents.