Our Pastor

Reverend Dr. Joseph Nathaniel Cousin, Sr., (D.Min.) was born on June 21, 1973, the fifth son of Bishop Philip and Mrs. Margaret Joan Cousin. Reverend Cousin has four brothers, Philip Jr., Steven, David, and Michael all of which are pastors in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverend Cousin is married to the former Carisalyn Nicole Williams and they have one beautiful daughter Miriam Joy and one son Joseph Nathaniel, Jr.

Reverend Cousin graduated from Hampton University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. In 1998, he graduated from The Boston University School of Theology with a Master of Divinity Degree. Reverend Cousin also holds a Doctoral Degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. He has also done further study at Oxford University, in Oxford England in conjunction with the Oxford Round Table. Additionally, in 2009, Reverend Cousin was blessed to represent emerging African American leaders in Israel, through an endeavor sponsored by Project Interchange and the American Jewish Committee. Reverend Cousin has also served on the General Board of The AME Church, as Vice-Chair of the Credentials Committee of the General Conference for both the 2012 and 2016 sessions, as a member of the General Conference Commission, and as the Dean and Chair of the Board Of Examiners Of The Michigan Annual Conference.

Reverend Cousin began his pastoral ministry in 1997, at Bethel A.M.E. Church, in Schenectady, New York. He was later appointed to Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. After a fruitful tenure at Mount Zion, he was appointed to Morris Brown A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In November 2004, he was appointed to Bethel A.M.E. Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan. During his tenure at Bethel God blessed the church with many accomplishments:

The church experienced significant growth both spiritually and numerically. There was a complete renovation of the sanctuary-including new pews, pulpit, carpet, and other aesthetic improvements- and audio-visual improvements were made-including the purchase of screens, projectors, and high definition cameras.

An administration building was purchased which allowed for the establishment of a nursery and bookstore in the church. Live streaming of services, as well as online giving and kiosk giving, were some of the other technological improvements.

New ministries were established which include but are not limited to: Campus Outreach, Health and Wellness, Church Bookstore, Nursery, Children’s Church, and Bridge The Gap (a ministry which connects families with young children with senior citizens-particularly those living by themselves).

In June of 2017, after serving almost 13 years with the Bethel Ann Arbor Church Family, Pastor Cousin was appointed to lead The Allen Temple Woodstock Church Family. Pastor Cousin is humbled and honored to serve the marvelous people of Allen Temple and believes that God has many more wonderful blessings in store-and that God will allow him to continue the great vision and legacy that God has instilled within the church.

Pastor Cousin believes that the best is yet to come, and is extremely excited about what is doing and going to do. Pastor Cousin finds joy in preaching, teaching, and providing multi-faceted ministries for God’s people, and is truly blessed as God continues to smile upon and bless his ministry.