Bishop Michael E. Woodard was born December 12, 1985 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Michael and Sharleen Nixon. He was raised in the city of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and graduated from North Myrtle Beach High school in 2004. After obtaining his diploma, Bishop Woodard attended Southeastern Community college in Whiteville, North Carolina.  

Bishop Woodard’s childhood dream was to walk in the steps of Presiding Prelate Bishop Tommie Woodard; his supportive pastor and grandfather of True Way Holiness Church of Jesus Christ.  Bishop Woodard was raised by his grandparents and the marriage to Lady Sylvia Walker-Woodard; blessed with two beautiful girls Torri and Gabrielle Woodard. 

At a very young age, the Lord revealed in Bishop Woodard many musical gifts;  drummer, guitarist, praise and worship leader, choir director and a traditional organist. Serving the church with these talented gifts and talents produced “the glue” that kept this young man connected and active in the church for years. In March 2006, Bishop Woodard received Christ as his Lord and Savior which lead to being filled with the Holy Ghost. In 2008, Bishop Woodard was filled with the Holy Ghost the old fashion way calling on the Name of Jesus as the Spirit of God gave utterance. Afterwards, Bishop Woodard was baptized in Jesus Name for the remission of sin by his grandfather according to (Acts 2:38).  

In March of 2009, Bishop Woodard accepted the call from God to preach the Gospel and his initial sermon was delivered to the church on.  July 11, 2009, Bishop Woodard preached his initial sermon at True Way Holiness Church of Jesus Christ. Thereafter, Bishop Woodard was licensed by the House of Prayer Pentecostal Fellowship Incorporated and received additional training under the leadership and discipline of Bishop Tommie and Pastor Annie Bell Woodard at True Way Holiness church in Little River, South Carolina. Bishop Woodard fulfilled all criteria and qualifications and was ordained to Eldership in February 2013 to further carry out the work of the ministry. Even now the training he received has guided him through the work of the ministry and community outreach.  

A special and touching event occurred during the ordination service in where he was ordained Elder. His grandfather, Bishop Tommie Woodard passed the “Lead

Servant” mantle down to his grandson. Since that time, he has had many opportunities to serve in his local ministry as youth pastor, church musician, and trustee board member.

After much prayer Bishop Woodard, was commissioned to launch a new ministry known as New Direction Worship Center.  The ministry was located in Conway, South Carolina and chartered on the second day of March 2014.  God blessed New Direction Worship Center with a great support team and several members in regular attendance. In March of 2019, Bishop Woodard was Interim Pastor of True Way Holiness Church and transitioned to pastor in July of 2019. Both ministries under the leadership of Bishop Woodard, both churches were merged as one in July 2021.

Bishop Michael E. Woodard is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Divinity Degree and His Godly interpretation and knowledge of the Bible proclaims a message of hope, deliverance, salvation, and restoration. He’s blessed to carry this message to the surrounding communities up and down the east coast. One of the greatest joys for Bishop Woodard is knowing that he is reaching “the unreachable”, and providing compassionate personality and heart-felt presentations to all. Regardless of his assignment, Bishop Woodard has not wavered from delivering Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” 

After 4 years of leading God’s children; he was elevated to the next level in ministry, the office of a Bishop. On December 17, 2017, Pastor Woodard was consecrated to the Bishopric where he serves as the 2nd Assistant Diocesan to Bishop Tommy Woodard and the House of Prayer Pentecostal Fellowship.  

Bishop Woodard’s favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you an expected end.”  Everyone surrounding him in ministry can truly say that God has his hand on this man of God.  Bishop Woodard strives to live humbly and trustworthy while reminded to stay true to God and His people. I Peter 5:6 reminds us, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”  As New Direction Worship Center continues to increase in membership, the vision remains consistent: to build the Church of Jesus Christ and bless the body of Christ world-wide.