CLERGY
REVEREND MICHAEL R. LESTER
SENIOR PASTOR
Reverend Michael R. Lester is Senior Pastor of The Columbus Bible Way Church, Inc.
Ordained as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ September 2010, Rev. Lester was installed as Senior Pastor of The Columbus Bible Way Church, Inc. January 1, 2013 upon the retiring of former Pastor and co-founder Dr. William Talley III.
Rev. Lester obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Communications Technology from Bowling Green State University in 1984 and went on to obtain a second Bachelor of Arts Degree in Leadership and Ministry from the Ohio Christian University (formerly Circleville Bible College) in 2008. Prior to enrolling at OCU, Rev. Lester obtained certification in Laity Leadership Training through Midwest Ministry Development, Columbus, OH, 2005.
Rev. Lester is a native of Columbus, Ohio and has been a member of The Columbus Bible Way Church since 1989. He and his wife Lisa reside in Pickerington, OH and have three grown children Brittany, Christopher and Erica; and four grandchildren.
Outside of ministry Rev. Lester enjoys playing tennis and spending time with his grandchildren.
Rev. Lester purposes his life around the power scripture found in Romans 8:31b (kjv)
“If God be for us, who can be against us?”
REVEREND MONTE C. BLUE
ASSISTANT PASTOR
Reverend Monte C. Blue is Assistant Pastor of the Columbus Bible Way Church, Inc.
Reverend Blue has been a member of The Columbus Bible Way Church since 1964. He was ordained into the ministry by Dr. William Talley III in 1988 and installed as Assistant Pastor by Dr. Talley in 2013.
Spanning Reverend Blue’s tenure with the church he has held many positions to include: Ordained Deacon, Superintendent of the Sunday school ministry, Sunday school teacher, Director for youth programs: Jets for Jesus and Ambassadors for Christ. Reverend Blue also sang in several choirs and a gospel group with his two brothers called “Ekklesia.”
Reverend Blue has worked in the field of missions as an associate minister to various churches as they searched for permanent pastors.
Professionally, Reverend Blue is a Chief Engineer and Facilities manager for an automotive company using robotics to assemble their product.
In his personal time, Reverend Blue enjoys listening to various genres of music with emphasis on gospel, jazz, and old school R & B.
Reverend Blue and his wife Charmaine reside in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. He has three grown daughters, a grown son and two grand children.
REVEREND FRED T. EVERETT JR.
ASSOCIATE MINISTER
Reverend Fred Everett Jr. is an Associate Minister of the Columbus Bible Way Church, Inc.
Rev. Everett has been a member of the Columbus Bible Way Church since 1976. He was ordained into the ministry in January 2020. Reverend Everett has spent years studying under the tutelage of Senior Pastor Michael R. Lester and his father, Pastor Emeritus Dr. William Talley III.
During Rev. Everett’s time with the church he has held multiple positions which includes: Ordained Deacon, Assistant Church Treasurer, Trustee Board Member, Men’s Fellowship President, Sunday School Superintendent, Director of Jr. & Sr. Ambassadors and Youth Camp Director. He has also participated in various youth choirs as well as the CBWC Praise Team and performed with the gospel group Chosen.
Rev. Everett obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychology from Franklin University in 2014 graduating Suma Cum Laude. He went on to obtain a Master of Business Administration from Franklin University in 2016.
Professionally, Rev. Everett is a licensed financial & insurance professional holding both a Series 7 and Series 66 designation as well as his Accident, Health & Life Insurance license. He is employed by Thomas Everett Investments, LLC., where he is the sole owner.
Rev. Everett is a native of Columbus, Ohio where he continues to reside with his wife of 22 years, Bridget and his two adult children Myles and Madison.
Rev. Everett enjoys cooking, reading, learning and helping others traverse the pathways of financial independence.
Rev. Everett lives his personal, spiritual and professional life equally by the scriptures found in Luke 10:19 and Proverbs 3:5-6 (kjv).
REVEREND DR. WILLIAM TALLEY III
PASTOR EMERITUS
The Reverend Dr. William Talley, III co-founded The Columbus Bible Way Church, Inc. in 1962. He has dedicated his life to teaching and ministering the Word of God. He was ordained into the ministry in December 1962, and awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity, September 1968.
Dr. William Talley, III, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, attended Hubbard Business College, Washington University, the FAA Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma, and the Personnel Management Training Center in Alabama. After 33 years in various capacities, he retired from federal service in 1987. During his tenure with the government, he received numerous awards and commendations, among them, two Meritorious Service Awards from The United States Air Force in 1975 and the Defense Logistics Agency in 1987.
Dr. Talley is married to Judy (Weaver) Talley, and has four sons, four grandsons, three granddaughters and two great grandsons.
In 1962, William Talley started a ministry in his Southfield home and as it grew the congregation met in Watkins Elementary. Eventually moving to its current location at 2660 Rhoads Avenue. The building was built from the ground up by Rev. Talley and church parishioners. It continues to serve the Southfield/Marion-Franklin community and the greater Columbus area through outreach, worship service, weekly classes and youth programs.
As a long-time member of the Southfield Community and active member in the Marion-Franklin Civic Association, Rev. Talley served as the first President of the Marion-Franklin Civic Association in March 1963.
During that time the association was instrumental in working with the City leaders to get street lights for the community and to establish the Marion-Franklin Community Recreation Center and community swimming pool.
Throughout his ministry, he has touched thousands of families through outreach, Bible classes and community service. To provide a safe and fun environment for young people in the Southfield & Columbus community during the summer months, Rev. Talley established the first overnight 150 acre Christian-based camping facility, located in the Hocking Hills area. The camp serves several hundred youth each summer.
As of December 31, 2012, The Reverend Dr. William Talley, III retired as Senior Pastor and assumed the title of Pastor Emeritus.
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4 (KJV)
