“In life, we have pleasures with our loved ones; we have sorrows and joy but thank God for the memories death cannot destroy.”
Again, death has invaded the rank of the Greater Community Christian Fellowship and the Holy Trinity Institutional Churches of God In Christ. It has carried away not only a Mighty Man of God and beloved Pastor, a devoted husband, a loving father, a precious son, a loyal brother, a nurturing grandfather, uncle, nephew, cousin and loyal friend, but a saint of God who heeded the holy scripture working diligently in many capacities of the church for the edification of the Body of Christ.
Pastor Nathaniel Wells III, affectionately called “Butch” by his wife, family and friends knew that Christianity did not exempt one from death but ensured triumph over death. Knowing this, on Sunday, March 12, 2023, Pastor Nathaniel “Butch” Wells III pulled off mortal and put on immortality, making the transition to his heavenly home.
The serviceable mortal life of Pastor Nathaniel Wells III was born into time on December 20,1963, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to the Christian lineage of the late Bishop Nathaniel W. Wells Jr. and Mother Mary Ann Houston-Wells. He was preceded in death by his father, Bishop Nathaniel W. Wells Jr.; his paternal grandparents, Bishop Nathaniel Wells Sr. and Mother Mildred C. Wells and his maternal grandparents, Luther Houston and Florence Houston-Livingstone.
When he was a baby, his beloved grandfather, the late Bishop Nathaniel Wells Sr. “Papa Wells” affectionately called him Butcherman. The name stuck and thereafter, little Nathaniel Wells III became known to everyone as “Butch”.
He was a curious and active little boy, sometimes too active. When he was a toddler, he got into several scrapes that oftentimes resulted in frequent trips to the emergency room, resulting in him having to get stitches. As most church kids did back then, growing up, he loved playing church with his sisters, where he took on the role of preacher while “PJ” usually assisted as the missionary. He was close to his sisters and loved following behind his big sister, Che-Che. Once, when he couldn’t quite keep up, he got his pinky finger caught in the screen door, which left him with the distinctive shortened little finger that everyone noticed all his life.
“Butch” was not only physically active from the time he could talk, but he was also mischievous. He would tease everyone. From the neighborhood kids to his sisters, which included once cutting off one of PJ’s long ponytails and telling Ronnie and Tiffany that there was no Santa Claus and proving it by having them watch through his bedroom window as Mama and Daddy brought in presents, no one was exempt. Butch’s mischievous streak became something of a calling card to all who knew him, whether he was cutting up in the choir, along with his best friends, Brian and Randal, or teasing one of the saints; he enjoyed every moment.
Pastor Wells’ formal education began in the Benton Harbor Area Schools until his father was pastorally assigned to Muskegon, Michigan. There he was enrolled into the Orchard View School District and was a proud graduate of Orchard View High School’s “Class of 1981”. On September 8, 1982, he enlisted in the United States Army receiving an Honorable discharge.
Pastor Nathaniel Wells III accepted salvation and Lordship of Jesus Christ in 1990. It was then that he experienced the life altering baptism of the Holy Ghost. After accepting his calling into the ministry, in 1993, Pastor Wells was licensed and ordained as an Elder of the Church of God In Christ Incorporated.
Proverbs 18:22 states, “He who finds a wife, finds a good thing, and receives favor from the Lord”. Elder Wells found his good thing and received his favor when he met and fell in love with the love of his life, Elect-Lady Trina D. Wells and on July 31, 1995, they united in holy matrimony. He would often sing, the song, “My Girl, My Girl, My Girl…Talkin’ Bout My Girl…My Girl!.” She was truly his girl and they remained until death they did part.
For many years, Elder Wells evangelized throughout the United States, preaching, and teaching the Word of God. In 1998, Elder Nathaniel Wells III was installed as the Senior Pastor of the Community Church of God In Christ, which is now the Greater Community Christian Fellowship under the pastoral guidance of his father, the late Prelate Bishop Nathaniel Wyoming Wells Jr.
He took the mantle of the names of both churches, “Community” and “Holy Trinity” and lead with love and humility. He and Elect-Lady Wells went out to hedges and byways in both communities, in the beauty of holiness, and compelled them to come in, and both memberships were encouraged to evangelize in the same manner under their leadership. Pastor Wells welcomed everyone with opened arms and people from all social classes and denominations were touched by his unconditional loving-kindness as evident by many of them uniting in fellowship with the church.
Many souls were saved and reclaimed under Pastor Wells III leadership in Benton Harbor and Muskegon because to him, no one was a stranger or ever made to feel less than or judged. He would call, text and check on his members with words of encouragement and genuine concern. You could feel his love and he made sure you always felt welcome by him. Pastor Wells was a humble, loving, kind and caring pastor and community leader who always asked God to hide him behind the cross so that “CHRIST” may be seen and not him. His love of God, his humility and his leadership will forever be cherished in our hearts. We will always love you Pastor.
In the City of Benton Harbor, Pastor Wells III served as President of Community/Trinity Non-Profit Housing Board of Directors and the Nehemiah Community Development Corporation of Benton Harbor. He was a member of Cornerstone Alliance and Michigan Governor Community Liaisons. In 2005, in honor of his grandmother’s legacy, Pastor Nathaniel Wells III established the Mildred C. Wells Preparatory Academy, and Pastor Wells’ ministry, served over 5,000 families across the Southwest Michigan Region in an annual Community Festival, just to mention a few.
Pastor Nathaniel Wells III was a man anointed of God to uphold the legacy of his grandfather and his father, delivering messages of relevance, power, and deliverance. In 1997, Pastor Nathaniel Wells III was appointed Senior Pastor of the Holy Trinity Institutional Church of God In Christ by the late Bishop Wells Jr. and after the sudden demise of his father, he became the full time Pastor. He truly loved Community and Holy Trinity and will be missed beyond measure.
Pastor Nathaniel Wells III along with his amazing personality, infectious smile, keen sense of humor, kind heart and warm fatherly touch shall never fade into oblivion, but will forever be felt flowing through the life of his loving and devoted wife, Elect-Lady Trina D. Wells; his five beautiful children whom he loved dearly, two sons, Julian Wells, and DeMario Copeland; three daughters, Brittany Wells, Chelsea Wells and Tiffany Wells; two beautiful grandchildren, Mia Cornelius and Aurora Wells; his beloved mother, Mary Ann Houston-Wells; his siblings, four sisters, Chanita (Jessie) Vance, Patricia (Jeffrey) Frazier, Anissa (Ronnie) Gray, Tiffany (Courtney) Alexander and one brother, Paul (Lisa) Broussard; two aunts, Florence Banks and Dr. Patricia Wells; one uncle, Ronnie Houston; his mother-in-love Anna Crockett; the Greater Community Fellowship and Holy Trinity Institutional Churches of God In Christ families and a host of cousins, special nieces and nephews, his in-laws, extended family and friends.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Robbins Brothers Funeral Home, Benton Harbor.
Services
LIE IN STATE
Friday
March 17, 2023
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Greater Community Christian Fellowship
870 Nate Wells Sr. Dr.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
PUBLIC VISITATION
Friday
March 17, 2023
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Greater Community Christian Fellowship
870 Nate Wells Sr. Dr.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
VISITATION
Saturday
March 18, 2023
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Holy Trinity Institutional Church of God in Christ
2140 Valley Street
Muskegon, MI 49444
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FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday
March 18, 2023
12:00 PM
Holy Trinity Institutional Church of God in Christ
2140 Valley Street
Muskegon, MI 49444
INTERMENT
Monday
March 20, 2023
12:00 PM
Crystal Springs Cemetery
1655 E. Napier Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022