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The History of Vessels of Praise to Zion City
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Vessels of Praise (1996) or Zion City International (2006), Which is it?

Vessels of Praise Apostolic Church was founded and established in 1996 on the first Sunday in January of that year. The church was lead by founding Pastor Charles and Alberta McNair and a handful of members including David and Betty Franklin-Hammonds who helped to establish the churches 501C3 status for tax exempt and tax deductible organizations. Other notable members including sons: Coliér, Vique and Trey McNair, Marvin Allen and family (5), John and Linnel Thomas and family (4), Bertha Thomas, Everline Thomas, Sam and Vickie Thornton (3), Carolyn Briggs and family (3), Angela Ellis (3) and a few others helped to establish the make up of the congregation.

In 2006, before Pastor Coliér was extended the opportunity to helm and lead the future of Vessels of Praise, the Lord had already impressed upon him a burden with a vision and mission to invest in rebuilding the Body of Christ for Kingdom purposes and the fulfillment of God's will here on earth. Out of that vision Zion City International Church Ministries was birthed.

When the founding Bishop Charles McNair moved to transition the church into the hands of his son Coliér McNair, we’d hope to REBUILD the ministry by REBUILDING the remnant of people given and stayed to fulfill the purposes for which the church was established.

In honor of the legacy of our founding leaders, Pastor Coliér revealed the vision of Zion City International while simultaneously continuing the work of Vessels of Praise to help thread the legacy of his father and pastor Charles McNair, who also serves as Pastor Emeritus and wise advisor.

Pastor Colier notes: “My dad is my biggest fan”.

Now after the reorganization and restructuring of Vessels of Praise/Zion City International, Inc., we enter the years ahead with a single eye under a single name Zion City!

Under the Lord's guidance, Pastor Coliér enjoys and anticipates everyday working with anointed, gifted and talented, professional leaders whose EXPECTATION of services in worship are EXCELLENT, our people and member base is EXTRAORDINARY, our work includes EVERYBODY, and we are all EMPOWERED by God to “Build People who Build His Kingdom!”

Finally, we graciously look forward to your presence with us as we work together “Unified With One Accord and One Purpose!”

Zion City First Fellowship and City of Zion family!

Brief Historic Biography of the Gospel Champ

• Roadway for Lou Rawls, Jan Bradley (Mama Didn’t Lie), Major Lance (Monkey Time), Saxophonist: Clarence Clemons who later performed and recorded with Rick Springsteen.
• McNair Musical Versatility Touched Based with: BB King, Earl Hooker, Buddy Guy, Guitar Red, Koko Taylor, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Junior (Harmonica) Wells, Jimmy Reed, AC Reed. McNair, known as Lil’ Ray during those days in 1959, performed at the Happy Homes Club on Chicago’s West Side, South Side Peppers Lounge, Teresa’s Lounge, The Flame Club and others.
• As Gospel Champ appearances include: James Cleveland, Inez Andrews, The O’Neal Twins, Andre Crouch, Edwin & Walter Hawkins (Tramaine Hawkins) and a Host of Others.
• Released Four (4) Gospel LP Albums in the 70s: “I’m Just A Stranger Here”, “The Gospel Champ”, “Give It All You Got: Live In Kansas City”, and “I’m Not Through Loving You Yet”. New CD Release of Remakes Expected This Year.