Jeffrey Lee Melvin was born on July 26, 1962 in Newburg, New York to proud parents Calvin and Shirley Melvin. He attended Rochester Public Schools where he excelled in public speaking and sports. Jeffrey accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at the age of twelve and later became A member of the Lamb of Life C.O.G.I.C.C in Rochester, New York under the leadership of Pastor Arthur W. Jones, Sr. where, at age 19, he entered the ministry. On March 6, 1982, he was married to Deborah Denise Jones, the daughter of Pastor Arthur and Missionary Wyreen Jones.

Minister Melvin was ordained an Elder of the Church of God in Christ on August 26, 1987. In 1994, Bishop LeRoy R. Anderson, Jurisdictional Prelate of New York Western First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, appointed Elder Melvin to pastor the Lackawanna C.O.G.I.C. In Lackawanna, New York. After a very successful seven-year tenure there, Bishop Anderson appointed him to pastor Power House C.O.G.I.C. In Rochester, New York. In 2001, Elder Melvin was elevated to Superintendent of District #10 in New York Western First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. He also served in several other Jurisdictional positions including Chief Adjutant, Director of Public Relations, Conventions Coordinator, Executive Board Secretary, and Chief of Security.

In 2005, following the leading of the Lord, Superintendent Melvin planted a satellite mission, Encouragement Centre C.O.G.I.C. in Buffalo, New York. In that same year, Superintendent Melvin Obeyed the voice of God that was calling him to “minister to My people on the continent of Africa.” Under the tutelage of Bishop Carlis Moody, President of the International Missions Department of the Church of God in Christ, and Bishop Bobby Henderson, Vice President of the International Missions Department and Prelate for the Republic of Uganda, Superintendent Melvin began pioneering the Church of God in Christ in the Republic of Rwanda. The work came to fruition in the summer of 2007 with 51 churches in Rwanda joining the body of the Church of God in Christ.

Bishop Melvin has also experienced God’s blessings and success in his secular career. He has a leading presence in the Rochester community, serving as Spokesman for the Rochester Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a current Board Member of Democrats for Life - Rochester Chapter, and as a previous Board Member of the Black Coalition on AIDS - Rochester Chapter.

Bishop Melvin attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio where he majored in Communications. In 1993, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Zoë University in Jacksonville, Florida. He has also completed work towards a Masters Degree in Christian Counseling, has studied at Colgate Rochester Divinity School, and is a recent graduate of the Church of God in Christ Episcopal Bishops Training academy. Bishop Designate Melvin currently resides in Rochester, New York with his wife Deborah and serves the National Church as Security Agent assigned to General Board duty and as National Adjutant Overseer assigned to service the General Board.

On November 12, 2007 Bishop Melvin was honored to be consecrated in the Centennial year of the Church of God in Christ Celebration service in Memphis Tennessee to the sacred office of Jurisdictional Bishop of Republic of Rwanda East Africa. At the time he was the youngest consecrated Bishop in the Church of God In Christ.