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Bishop Andrew Merritt grew up in Detroit, MI with his mother, Laura, and grandmother, Pauline. It was after time spent in Chicago, at the age of 24, that he was called to preach. At that time he began learning under the ministry of Bishop William Bonner and was ordained in 1972.

In June 1978, Bishop met Viveca Cecelia Johnson in Michigan. The two married on November 4, 1978. Shortly before, on October 28, 1978, they founded the Straight Gate International Church. Services were first held in a storefront building with just three members – Reverend Merritt, his wife, Viveca, and daughter, Rachelle.

Under the powerful preaching and teachings of Bishop Merritt, Straight Gate has experienced phenomenal growth – from three members in 1978 to eight church moves and over a thousand members today. Straight Gate is located in the heart of Detroit, still holding true as a family based ministry, where Jesus makes families whole. The Straight Gate vision is to reach our city, the nation and the world for Jesus Christ. Bishop Merritt’s ministry has touched numerous lives through the local church, radio and television ministries. A man who believes and is best known for his teachings on faith, Bishop firmly believes God has blessed the ministry because of his strong and unmovable faith in God.

Bishop Merritt’s dynamic teachings have been published in four books: Pursue, Overtake and Reclaim, Jesus Destroyed the Works of the Devil, The Marriage Enrichment Handbook, and his best-selling book, My Faith is Taking Me Someplace. “Expectations: I’ll Praise,” a song featured on Faith in the House (companion CD to My Faith is Taking Me Someplace) by Bishop Andrew Merritt and the Straight Gate Mass Choir debuted at number 6 on the Billboard Charts.

As a community leader, Bishop has addressed civic leaders and lawmakers alike. He is one of few African American religious leaders with the honor to have met and participated in various forums with former Presidents, Ronald Reagan, William Jefferson Clinton, George W. Bush and current President, Barack Obama. He gave the invocation for the opening session of the Michigan House of Representatives in 1989, as well as, for the October 24, 1990 session of the United States House of Representatives. In 1998, at the request of the Mayor of the City of Detroit, Bishop was one of ten pastors assembled to meet with President Clinton and lead a prayer of healing and restoration for the President and the nation. Bishop Merritt also participated in the first Congressional House-Senate Republican Faith-Based Leadership Summit and was named to the Summit Steering Committee.

Other honors for which Bishop has been recognized include:

1990: Minister of the Year by the Michigan Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

1990: Co-Chair of the International Mandela Freedom Tour to the City of Detroit

1997: Clergyman of the Year by the Michigan Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

2003: Received Key of David and the Keys to the City of Jerusalem, and was consecrated as the Apostle and Gatekeeper over the Detroit Metropolitan Region.

Bishop Merritt received a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from the Church of Christ Bible College in New Rochelle, NY, a Master’s Degree of Theology from New Covenant Theological Seminary in New York, and an Honorary Doctorate of Ministry from Logus Graduate School in Jacksonville, FL.

Bishop Andrew Merritt was elevated to the office of Bishop on November 24, 1990. His wife, Viveca C. Merritt, shares joint responsibility as Pastor of Straight Gate International Church. Bishop Merritt has six children: Anita, April, Rachelle, Laura (Marc), Jonathan (Tatianna) and David. He is the grandfather of Haki, Kirkland, Mariah, Lorne II, Aaron Andrew, Ryan, Lillian, Josiah, Cristina, Andrew II, and Alexandria and he is the great-grandfather of Kirkland II, Kai, and Miah. 

Affectionately referred to by the Straight Gate congregation as “Pastor Vickey”, Viveca Merritt has served as Co-Pastor of the Straight Gate International Church with her husband, Bishop Andrew Merritt, since her ordination on October 9, 1987. After her ordination, she preached her first sermon on Mother’s Day in 1988.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Pastor Vickey grew up at the Northwest Church of God in Christ, where she was very active in the ministry. She was educated in the Detroit Public School system and graduated from Mumford High School in 1968. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Education (1972) and a Masters of Arts in Child Development (1978), both from Wayne State University.

Viveca met Rev. Andrew Merritt when he ministered at her church in June of 1978. They married on November 4, 1978. She taught in the Detroit Public School system from 1972 to 1984, at which time she left teaching to devote her time to her husband, her family, and the ministry.

Bishop Merritt attributes the growth and favor of the Straight Gate Church to the prayers and spiritual fortitude of his wife, Viveca. She has helped to develop many aspects of the ministry and provides spiritual leadership, teaching and guidance to the Women’s Ministry. Her ministry to the women of the church, among other teachings, focus on teaching the lifestyle of a virtuous woman, thus inspiring her to write her first book. God Needs More Annas was released in November of 1991. She has since authored two additional titles, God Needs More Annas Devotional and Family Matters.

Pastor Vickey’s warm heart and giving spirit are immeasurable and truly treasured within Straight Gate.

In addition to the work of the ministry, she has raised four children: Rachelle, Laura (Marc), Jonathan (Tatianna) and David. She also has eight grandchildren: Mariah, Lorne II, Aaron Andrew, Ryan, Lillian, Josiah, Cristina, Andrew II, and Alexandria. She is a woman of virtue and great faith; her household calls her blessed; the church congregation calls her blessed. She continues to teach her children, grandchildren, the women of Straight Gate and loving members every time she comes before the congregation. As her anointed prayers go forth and the power of God is revealed, it is evident that she has an intimate personal relationship with God.