Art Wilson: local pastor and international peace maker

Bethany and Pastor Art Wilson at a diplomatic meeting at the United Nations in Manhattan, New York.

By Sarah Shurge – Some people wish for world peace, while other people work for it.
Art Wilson is the latter.
You may know Wilson as the founding pastor of The International Church of Metro Detroit, but you might not know that he also serves as an ambassador to the United Nations.
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 by 51 countries after the Second World War. These countries are committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights.
For the last 12 years, Wilson has served as diplomat to the United Nations. As a diplomat, Wilson serves as a mediator of peace and development. He is a part of discussions and projects that are designed to create an atmosphere of peace in the world.
In 2013, he was invited to the United Nations in Manhattan, New York as an adjunct speaker and has been invited many times since.
In 2015, Wilson was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador and Special Envoy on Peace and Development for the World Association of the United Nations Interns and Fellows (WAFUNIF).
Wilson has continued to work on diplomatic projects in countries like India, Honduras, and Azerbaijan.
“My goal since joining the ministry was to have an international impact and to be able to assist in any way possible in any where possible,” said Pastor Wilson. “It doesn’t happen unless God opens the door and it seems like God opened the door.”
Wilson didn’t always plan on being a pastor, starting a church, or joining the ministry.
“I never dreamed of it,” said Pastor Wilson. “I expected to be more of an athlete.”
Wilson attended church more, got married, and he began to focus on family and a religious foundation. When he was around 20 years old, he started taking classes in church. Wilson went on to receive a PhD in Education and Divinity and a Master’s degree in Hebrew.
“Opportunity to minister became more clear,” said Pastor Wilson. “I accepted an opportunity to become a pastor in 2002, when I created the church.”
Wilson founded The International Church of Metro Detroit (TIC) in 2002, but didn’t have a stable location. The church was mainly focused on community service at first, until they got their first building in 2009. TIC has been located in Wayne since 2010.
Wilson explained that TIC is an extremely diverse, multicultural church with at least 10 different nationalities within leadership and teams. There can be anywhere from 300 to 400 people attending on Sundays.

From left to right, Hakim Shakir, Mayor John Rhaesa, Pastor Art Wilson,Jeremy Walters and Haider Bajari break ground for the new sanctuary at The International Church of Metro Detroit.

However, TIC needed room to expand its ministries, so groundbreaking began in June 2024 for a new addition to be built onto the church. This addition will have a new sanctuary that can seat 700 – 800 people and a community center to house over 50 ministries to the community.
TIC will be expanding its ESL classes, community service, immigration assistance, master classes for success development, serving the community in the outreach department, and launching for the first time a theater division for Easter and Christmas.
“It’s extremely exciting,” said Pastor Wilson. “Our church has always been a mission minded church, focused on serving the community in every way possible.
An important part of the TIC’s ministry is its annual Community Prayer Breakfast. This event is designed to build unity among leadership within the community.
TIC will normally host two Community Prayer Breakfasts a year, one to honor the community servants on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the other to honor first responders on 9/11.
However, due to the construction, the MLK breakfast has been postponed and may be combined with the 9/11 breakfast.
TIC hopes to be finished with construction in November 2025.
“Everybody is welcome. The church has a culture of inclusion and friendship. We want everyone to know we’re here to serve,” said Pastor Wilson.
TIC not only serves the community, but it changes lives within the church.
“God transformed my life and TIC made it a smooth transition. I don’t know where I would be without TIC. It saved me,” said Ashé Mattis. “They’ve supported my marriage, supported my daughter, they’re just always there. Their support is unmatched.”

The new addition will have a sanctuary that will seat 700 – 800 people and a community center to house over 50 ministries to the community.

Mattis has been attending TIC for 10 years. She started on a Monday night for a young adult group and never stopped coming back.
“You can be a new member, a long-time member, everyone is treated the same. Everyone is treated with love, treated with respect, and treated like family,” said Mattis. “Pastor Wilson is the epitome of how Christians are supposed to treat others. I’ve met many people, been to many churches, and met many pastors, and he takes the cake.”

The International Church of Metro Detroit is located at 31650 Van Born Rd.
Their Sunday service includes: 10 a.m. Sunday School, 11 a.m. Worship Service, and different events every Sunday evening. The first Sunday evening of the month is Revival Day and the third Sunday of the month is Connection Groups. There is also service Wednesday at 7 p.m.
For more information about the International Church of Metro Detroit, visit theinternationalchurch-.org, or call (313) 995-6466.
For more information about the United Nations’ projects, you can visit the foundation page at icdglobal.org
You can also find the International Church of Metro Detroit on Facebook and YouTube. They are working on getting an Instagram set up this year. The next Community Prayer Breakfast is tentatively planned for Saturday, September 6th. Be sure to check the website and Facebook page for updates.