The Honorable A.D. Cunningham, pastor of God’s White House in Washington D.C., has been elected as the new bishop of the United House of Prayer for All People.
Bishop Cunningham was elected overwhelmingly on Oct. 13 during a special session of the General Assembly of The United House of Prayer that convened at God’s White House, the church’s national headquarters location.
As the spiritual advisor of 137 congregations nationwide, Bishop Cunningham becomes chief executive officer and sole trustee of all church holdings, said Elder Dr. L. Murray, a spokesman for the United House of Prayer.
“He was formally installed and held his first service as Bishop on that same evening,” said Murray.
After the loss of Bishop Dr. C.M. Bailey on Aug. 11, Murray said Cunningham hopes to continue the legacy of his predecessor.
“Bishop Cunningham wants to walk the same path as Bishop Bailey walked,” Murray said.”To continue the growth of the organization and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Bailey led the 137 congregations of the United House of Prayer for more than 15 years.
Murray said Cunningham said he wants to focus on the “hallmark,” programs of the House of Prayer that include having services seven days a week, whether it is sunrise services, noon services or 7:30 services nightly at God’s White House.
Because Bishop Bailey died Aug. 11, during the church’s annual convocation in Philadelphia, Murray said the first thing Cunningham had to do after being elected was to go back to Philadelphia to finish the convocation.
A Brief History of the United House of Prayer
Cunningham is the fifth leader of the United House of Prayer (UHOP), which was founded by Cape Verdean Marcelino Manuel da Graça. Graca came to America on a ship called Freedom in 1903 and settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he worked as a cook for the railroad. After leaving his job in 1919, he built his first church in Wareham, Massachusetts, and the church was incorporated in Washington, D.C. in 1927.
Bishop Charles Manuel “Sweet Daddy” Grace became the church’s first leader. He was succeeded by Bishop Walter “Sweety Daddy” McCullough, who spearheaded many affordable housing programs and restaurants in the District.
McCullough was succeeded by Bishop S.C. “Sweet Daddy” Madison and then Bailey. Each Bishop in the UHOP is called “Sweet Daddy,” and every Memorial Day band and singers from across the United States come to D.C. for the annual parade.
“There are those who have never understood the House of Prayer. Bishop Bailey pastored me for more than two decades in Augusta,” said Murray, director of special projects for the UHOP. “It is not just about the playing of the bands, this is about the preaching of a biblical gospel that is Christ-focused. What matters is the lives that have been changed and people growing closer to Christ.”
In addition to the unique architecture of their building, UHOP leaders often point out how the church has constructed affordable housing for people across the U.S.
Further, leaders emphasize that there is a sense of discipline and devotion across its membership.
The Era of Bishop Cunningham
Now, the Bishop Cunningham era begins.
Bishop Cunningham has been a member of the General Council of the church, holding various positions of responsibility, including the position of head judge.
He was a member of the church’s national committee, whose focus was primarily on the youth. Cunningham was also a member of the 2022 constitutional review committee, and since 2006 he held the position of secretary of the church’s General Assembly.
Elder Murray said Bishop Cunningham, a native of Brooklyn, New York, is well known for his preaching skills. According to an announcement by the UHOP, Cunningham “served as a deacon during his youth in Boston, [Massachusetts] under his grandfather, the late Apostle Hankerson.”
Cunningham answered the call to preach under the leadership of the late Bishop McCollough and was ordained an elder in early 1981. He grew in the ministry under his father-in-law the late Apostle D. L. Raycrow, pastor of the Salisbury, Maryland congregation of the UHOP.
He has been married for 41 years to the new first lady of the United House of Prayer, Mrs.Deborah Cunningham. Bishop and Mrs. Cunningham are parents of a son, Malachi, who, along with his wife Donyca, nurture Bishop Cunningham’s two grandchildren.
The house of prayer is nothing but a cult which recognizes and esteems who make large financial donations. The bishops all claim to be “men of God,” with the same power as Jesus and the ability to heal the sick and “take death off the body.” The bishop (including Cunningham) and Apostles and Elders lstate that God uses only ONE man at a time, and that the mani is ALWAYS the bishop of the House of Prayer. As such, members are exhorted to give the “bishop” love offerings and other items, making him a millionaire after just a few years of proselytizing among his 137 congregations. If those who ask for prayer inprove, all credit is given to the bishop; the family of those who ask for prayer and die, instead, are told it was God’s “will.” Finally, the bishop is styled as God’s mouthpiece in the earth today. But his travels and messages are repeatedly to the same 127 congregations, in most cases making 3 or 4 visits a year. During each visit, the bishop is entitled to “love” offering which usually total in the tens of thousands. So, regardless of your article, I am sure you know that God is not speaking through any House of Prayer (membership appox 12,000) bishop to the exclusion of the rest of the world (population over 8 billion!). If so, why are you not a member? Obviously, because you’re too smart to fall for the nonsense, That’s what keeps cults going. No one, even the bishop, has to “prove” or demonstrate his “so-called” powers!
Have a nice day!
After joining this church my grandfather stopped his alcoholism. He got himself together enough to own his own business. Now almost all of my family are college graduates. I will forever be grateful.
Any Place of Worship that puts a man above JESUS should be avoided for there’s only one name given among mankind whereby we shall be saved and by that name (JESUS ) every knee shall bowl and every tongue shall confess. For eighteen years (from birth) I was a member until I was able to make my own decisions.
Well reckon that all ministries and all faiths and beliefs are cults cause all have a prosperity and building fund and monetary appreciation of love via salaries or anniversary celebration and monetary donations to their bishops pastors etc and it’s including yours too that you fail to include
Was Solomon’s House of Prayer a cult too?
UHOP is my childhood church. I stopped attending as soon as I turned 18. It’s nothing but a cult that worships their “daddies”. The members don’t carry bibles and have no biblical knowledge. I left during Madison’s era and nothing has changed.
I am a True believer in Almighty God & Christ Jesus. Yes, I have been a member for over 40 years & with a sound mind, I will attest that the Uhop is definitely not a cult. Let me further add that I have personally witnessed numerous miracles & blessings throughout my years as a member. I further attest that no one is forced to serve in God’s house. I am blessed to have i herited such a great benefit that has enriched my life both morally & spiritually. If you would just step back & view objectively-you will notice that the people of this organization strive to live & be examples for others.
Can someone tell me where in the Bible it states members of a church must where white tops and black bottom? This is one of their rules. My childhood church as well until I joined another church where the Bishop preached EVERY Sunday and is not fanned with girls holding large fans, red carpet is not laid for him for entering, visits other churches, listene
to others Ministers preach, food drives, distributed food, and the “man” is NOT worshipped, the Bishops pictures are not above the alter, while Jesus picture sits wayyy to the right in a corner, does not have a for profit food stand at the Commanders stadium, has a pleasant smile and speak to you unlike the staff at Daddy’s for profit cafeteria at 601 M Street and the members certainly don’t have multiple pictures all over their home of the Bishop, and adultery does not run rampant. Yes Cult!
I have been a Life long member of the United House Of Prayer and I have been Blessed by the Almighty God through his Grace and mercy to receive the Holyghost and Fire,people are going to think what they want anyway,the question is what do you believe?I believe in the Almighty God and his Son Jesus,the son of the Living God,and follow our Leader.
People talk about things they don’t understand. If they are a cult because they believe in praising God and trying to live right. So be it. Who are you. God said judge not. Who cares what the people think if they get joy in praising God leave them people alone. You and all the other naysayers.
I was a member of the house of prayer from 1998 – 2004. I moved up the ranks of Brother to become an Elder. Went to the Seminary and became the assistant Pastor of one of the churches in GA. During my employment phases I had to let my Elder/ ministers license expire because I was unable to attend the convocation to renew it. I was given a hard time when I tried to get it back in 2004 after returning from an assignment. I said all this to say one thing; people may feel that it is a cult but there are so many churches out there that can be considered cults also. I was a minister that preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and not Daddy like all the others and I was not condemned for my preaching. It was just the opposite. Those that heard me speak said that the word that was given was of God and not of man. Its not the church building but the church inside the person. Preach and teach the truth of the word of God to make sure the people get the word of truth and not that of false prophets. Those who condemn these practices of the churches where will you be in the end when that roll is called?
The first sign of a cult is that when its founder dies the cult go away. The UHOP has been around for 100 plus years with five leaders. We believe in Jesus Christ as God in the flesh. We don’t worship man but God in the Man.
Frist get your facts right, he never claim to be Jesus. We know Jesus is our Lord and savior, which he died for us, so,that we may have a right to the tree of life. Who is that tree JESUS. God has always used a man, and man used men( the pastors, elders,deacon,brothers) of the church. As for a “love” offering you can give according to your heart. Is it mention in the scripture, Matthew 10:41. If you give $1.00, it could be that’s all you have, like the widow’s mite, Mark 12 :41-44 and Luke 21 :1-4. You can give $1.- 10000000 dollars etc. He will say thank you, but if you don’t live right you know where you are head to.