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El Shaddai COGIC
Our leadership

Our Pastor

Pastor & First Lady

Pastor Maurice & Lady Afrika Hughes

It is the desire of Pastor and Lady Hughes to see the saints live the Abundant Life as promised by God.
Pastor Maurice Hughes

Pastor Maurice Hughes

Pastor, El-Shaddai COGIC · Administrative Assistant & Executive Secretary, Wisconsin Northwest Jurisdiction

Pastor Maurice Hughes is the servant leader of El-Shaddai COGIC, a historic church in the heart of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Educated in the Milwaukee Public School system, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Master of Business Administration in International Business.

Elder Maurice Hughes started attending El-Shaddai in 2002. He was a faithful servant to his Pastor, Elder John Johnson, and served in many capacities, including Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, van driver, and many other positions. After he had served for over 15 years, Pastor Johnson named Elder Hughes Assistant Pastor in 2018. In January 2019, Pastor Johnson announced his retirement from ministry, and the following month Bishop C.H. McClelland appointed Elder Hughes as Pastor of El-Shaddai.

Prior to his ascension as Pastor, Elder Hughes served Wisconsin Northwest Jurisdiction in several positions. In 2010, he began serving as an adjutant, a position that he says shaped how he approaches ministry and leadership. He also served as Financial Secretary and is the current Executive Secretary for the jurisdiction. In December 2025, Bishop C.H. McClelland elevated Pastor Hughes to the office of Administrative Assistant in Wisconsin Northwest Jurisdiction — a testament to the trust, confidence, and consistent leadership he has demonstrated throughout his years of service. He continues to work closely with Bishop McClelland and the jurisdiction’s leadership team on key initiatives and ministry projects.

Professionally, Pastor Hughes serves as a Regional Sales Manager for an Ed-Tech company, a role that frequently takes him across the country. Known for his ability to lead at the highest level while on the road, he has become a model of ministry on the move — managing the demands of a secular career without ever setting aside the responsibilities of his pastoral calling.

Together with his wife, Lady Afrika Hughes, Pastor Hughes co-founded Milwaukee Community Resources and Empowerment Services (MCRES), a non-profit organization committed to the betterment of the Milwaukee community. Since its inception in 2023, MCRES has secured grant funding supporting initiatives to improve the community.

Pastor Hughes is married to Afrika Hughes, and together they are the proud parents of Diyonna, Maurice Jr., Kennedy, and Christian, and grandparents to Jiyelle.

Lady Afrika Hughes

Lady Afrika Hughes

First Lady, El-Shaddai COGIC

First Lady Afrika K. Hughes serves alongside her husband, Pastor Maurice Hughes, at El Shaddai Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee. Born in Chicago, she moved to Milwaukee in 1994 and has made the city her home, her mission field and her place of ministry.

Lady Hughes’s love for ministry started in the church, where her gift for dance first showed. She has choreographed praise dance routines for churches for many years. She also mentored young girls through the dance ministry Dynamic Allstarz II, teaching them to dance and also guiding them in every area of life. At El Shaddai she serves in dancy ministry and as a member of the praise and worship team, leading God’s people in worship through movement and song. She also serves on the finance team, where her business and finance training supports good stewardship of the ministry’s resources. Through evangelism and missions, she carries the gospel beyond the church walls and into the community.

Her calling to serve shows in her career as well. She has given more than 20 years to education, all of it devoted to students with special needs and their families. She began as a special education teacher with Milwaukee Public Schools. She went on to lead mental health and disabilities services for the Head Start program and later oversaw special education programs across nearly 30 schools. She has also taught future educators as an adjunct instructor at Mount Mary University. Today she is Director of Specialized Services at Milwaukee College Prep, where she works to make sure every child gets the support they need to succeed.

Lady Hughes holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside, a Master’s in Special Education from Cardinal Stritch University and a Master’s in Educational Administration from National Louis University.

Above all, she treasures her family. She and Pastor Hughes are the proud parents of four children: Diyonna, Maurice Jr., Kennedy and Christian. Lady Hughes will tell you that ministry can be challenging. It is also one of the most rewarding parts of her life, because it has never been about her. It is about the people God has given her to serve. She lives by these words: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Colossians 3:23, KJV)

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