Bishop Cora Linley was born in Lamar, Mississippi, one of seven children of Conley and Luvenia Lewellen, and the twin sister of Ora Smith. At the age of twelve, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she completed her education in the Cuyahoga school system and later attended Cuyahoga Community College. In 1972, following God’s leading, she relocated to Detroit, Michigan—a move that would become a defining step in her divine purpose. She continued her studies at Wayne County Community College, the Detroit College of Business, and the Detroit Business Institute.
Bishop Linley spent eleven years employed at the Internal Revenue Service, where she was nominated Employee of the Year. During that time, she organized the Michigan chapter of C-Fire (Christian Fundamentalist Internal Revenue Employees), an outreach that brought weekly Bible studies and national conferences to the workplace. Many came to Christ through her faithful witness. She later served as Executive Assistant to the President of the Detroit Urban League, where she retired to enter full-time ministry.
For decades, Bishop Linley has lived out her calling to evangelize beyond the four walls of the church. Through tent revivals, street crusades, and compassionate outreach, she has touched countless lives—offering food, shelter, and the love of Christ to the homeless, to women and children in need, and to families seeking hope. Affectionately known as “Mother Linley,” she has opened her home and heart to many, embodying her lifelong motto: “Whatever your hands find to do, do it all to the glory of God.”
Bishop Linley’s ministry began at Prayer Chapel C.O.G.I.C., under Pastor Jesse Cranford, Jr., where she was saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, and faithfully served in nearly every department—from Sunday School Superintendent to Choir Director, Church Secretary, and Youth Leader. Her obedience to God’s call led her to assist in the founding and strengthening of several ministries throughout Michigan, where she served as Praise and Worship Conductor, Church Mother, and Women’s Day Chairperson.
In obedience to the Lord’s direction, she launched a radio ministry that flourished for ten years, proclaiming the gospel across the airwaves. In 2007, she founded New Heart Ministries, inspired by God’s promise in Ezekiel 36:26—“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” Under her leadership, New Heart Ministries has become a thriving outreach committed to winning souls, feeding the hungry, and restoring lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Bishop Linley has served faithfully within the Focus Hope International Fellowship Ministries, first as Secretary of the Board of Directors and later as State Bishop of Michigan under Bishop Glenn R. Adderley. She now serves in the Great Lakes First Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Bishop Michael E. Hill, Sr. and Supervisor Dianne M. Bogan, and currently ministers as District Missionary for the Zoe District.
A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Bishop Linley finds joy in her family and in the many spiritual sons and daughters God has placed in her life. Her passion remains unwavering—to reach the lost, to strengthen the Body of Christ, and to glorify God in all things.
To God be the glory for all that He has done!
