History & Bishop Winnie Hamilton
Founder
Bishop Winnie Hamilton
B.C.Ed, M.Th., Ph.D.
A Life of Faith & Service
Dr. Winnie E. Hamilton was a devoted woman of faith, visionary leader, and compassionate servant whose life was dedicated to ministry, community service, and the empowerment of others. From a young age, she demonstrated an unwavering commitment to God and to the well-being of the communities she served.
Dr. Hamilton accepted Christ and was filled with the Holy Spirit at the age of 12, beginning a lifelong journey of faith and spiritual leadership. She was a proud mother of nine children, grandmother of twenty-one, and great-grandmother of five. Her legacy extends not only through her family but also through the countless lives she touched through ministry, education, counseling, and humanitarian outreach.
Her professional and academic journey reflected a commitment to both spiritual and practical service. From graduating as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1961 to eventually earning her Ph.D. in Christian Education (Summa Cum Laude) in 1999, she bridged the gap between healing the body and nurturing the soul.
Academic Journey
Graduated from Marion General Hospital School of Practical Nursing; licensed by the State of Ohio
Advanced studies in pharmacology for practical nursing
Coursework in Christian Foundations at Berea Christian Center and Crystal Springs Institute of Ministry
Bachelor of Christian Education (Magna Cum Laude), Master of Theology, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Christian Education (Summa Cum Laude) from Shalom Bible College and Seminary
Certified as a Restorative Therapist from the Faith Based Counseling Institute in Texas
1978 — The Birth of a Vision
Founded Around a Dining Room Table
In 1978, Dr. Hamilton envisioned a ministry that would address both the spiritual and socio-economic needs of underserved communities in Cleveland, Ohio. Together with her late husband, Deacon Quinton L. Hamilton, she founded Son Rise Ministries, which began humbly around the dining room table of their home on Castalia Avenue.
In 1985, the ministry was formally registered as a nonprofit, later expanding globally and being renamed Son Rise Global Ministries in 2012 following a prophetic vision for international expansion.
"What began as a small community outreach grew into a global ministry dedicated to education, counseling, and humanitarian support."
Apostolic Reach
Bridging Nations Through Faith
Dr. Hamilton’s ministry impact extended far beyond the United States. She helped establish more than forty outreach and counseling centers for HIV/AIDS education and support in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Leadership Travels
Conducted training, marriage workshops, and counseling in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Guyana, Haiti, Liberia, and more.
Spiritual Oversight
Provided apostolic oversight to more than forty affiliated ministries and pastors around the world, consecrated as Chief Apostle.
Community Advocacy
Established counseling programs for battered women, transitional housing for pregnant women, and community development initiatives.
Prison & Media Ministry
Began prison ministry in the mid-1980s and hosted the "Son Rise School of Ministry" radio program on WABQ Cleveland.
Distinguished Recognition
"Honored by Clubdate Magazine as one of Cleveland's Top Ten Christian Women (1987) and listed in Flame Fellowship International's Who's Who Among Women in Ministry."
"Appointed by Governor James A. Rhodes to the White House Conference on Families and honored with the Exceptional Woman of Excellence Award (2018)."
Awarded Certificate of Appreciation by New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin for Post-Katrina restoration support (2006).
A Lasting Legacy
"Dr. Winnie E. Hamilton helped equip countless pastors, leaders, and community servants for ministry and service. Her life’s work reflected a profound commitment to equipping individuals for leadership, restoring families, and extending compassion to those in need."
Continuing through Son Rise Community Service Corp.