Bishop Paul Lawrence Binion II

SENIOR PASTOR

Paul Lawrence Binion II was born in Fairfield, Alabama, to Paul Lawrence Binion, Sr., and Sara Ellafair House Binion. He is the eldest of five children. The family eventually settled in Los Angeles, California, where he became a long-time member of Wadsworth Church of God. Pastor Binion is a graduate of Susan Miller Dorsey High School; California State University, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor’s Degree in History; and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, with a Master of Divinity. The Southern California School of Ministry conferred a Doctor of Divinity upon him. He has resided in Fresno, California, since 1977, when he assumed Senior Pastoral Leadership of Westside Church of God. Pastor Binion is a man who loves God, his family, and his community.

While leading Westside Church of God, he founded a non-profit, Southwest Fresno Development Corporation, established a Counseling Center to meet the needs of the community, and developed an Education and Career Initiative to help students succeed in their education and professional pursuits.

He is known as a “Pastor to Pastors” and serves as an advisor and confidante to numerous organizations, ministries, fellowships, individuals, and leaders in Fresno and throughout the Central Valley. Pastor Binion is a conference speaker, preacher, and teacher of the Bible, both locally and nationally.

Family:
After his love for the Lord, the love of Pastor Binion’s life is Valarie Jean Metoyer Binion. They have been married since 1978. They have three daughters—Tiffany (son-in-law David), Crisandra, and Kimberley—two granddaughters, Alyssa and Zharia, and one grandson, David Paul.



Community Leadership:

• Interstate Association of the Church of God
• Presbyter of Berean Fellowship of Churches
• African American Clergy Task Force
• Southwest Fresno Development Corporation
• Advisory Panel Member to the President of Fresno Pacific University on Clergy and Church Development
• West Fresno Ministerial Alliance
• Central California Evangelicals for Social Action
• City of Fresno Mayoral Advisory Board
• Police Advisory Council
• Westside Community Counseling Center
• Faith and the Valley
• Black and African-American Advisory Board to California Community Colleges

Lady Valarie Metoyer Binion

FIRST LADY

Valarie Metoyer Binion is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She is the eighth child of ten, born to John, Sr. and Evelyn Metoyer. Her family moved west, to Phoenix, Arizona, where she received her early education. After graduating from South Mountain High School, she attended Mesa Community College for one year before relocating to Los Angeles, California.

It was in Los Angeles where she met Paul L. Binion II, pastor of Westside Church of God. They were united in marriage in December 1978. Mrs. Binion is a mother and grandmother, along with her role as pastor’s wife. She is a retiree of Fresno Unified School District and is a graduate of Fresno Pacific University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business – Management and Organizational Development. She has spent most of her years at Westside serving as Minister of Music and assisting her husband.

Her favorite scripture passage is found in Phil. 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It is Christ in me that equips and enables me to work in ministry. I know who I am (in Christ) and am empowered by his strength to do the work of the Lord.