Ron’s Random Ruminations

I believe the truly great men of God are far and few between.  And when we lose one the loss is deeply felt.

The body of Christ lost such a spiritual giant when Bishop Gilebert Earl Patterson, the presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), died last weekof heart failure in a Memphis, Tennessee  hospital. Yesterday began three days of memorial services for Bishop Patterson.

I was first introduced to Bishop Patterson through his Bountiful Blessings television ministry. The thing that struck me the most about Bishop Patterson was his directness in speech and the power and authority which he spoke with. He was truly a man who walked humbly with his God. I know he’ll be greatly missed.

Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson

As the son of a Church Of God In Christ Bishop, Gilbert Earl Patterson grew up in the church. As its Presiding Bishop, he restored a level of worship and spirituality to the church, bringing back some of the traditions, customs, values, convictions and beliefs upon which the original church was based.

During his term as Presiding Bishop, Patterson transformed the agenda and program of national conventions to reflect a more prayerful and spirit-led experience. The annual convocations become more “word-based,” centered on the preaching and led by the gospel. Patterson re-instituted the “morning manna,” a time of prayer before the festivities of the day begin.

Patterson was highly respected among the nations as a great teacher and leader of Pentecostal religion. He brought COGIC into the national limelight through his television ministry that airs Sundays on BET, TBN and The Word Network. His television ministry helped increase the membership of the Church Of God In Christ to an estimated 6.5 million members internationally.

Patterson also created COGIC Charities during his term as Presiding Bishop. COGIC Charities is a philanthropic organization within the Church Of God In Christ that supports victims around the world that have been devastated by natural disaster. COGIC Charities also assists with providing fund-raising for those seeking an advanced education through college scholarships.

Part of Patterson’s legacy is that he led the denomination like a major international corporation while still keeping God as the focus. Patterson’s business demeanor led to the purchase and redevelopment of land around the Church Of God In Christ world headquarters. He also purchased housing around the headquarters for seminary students and those who could only afford low-income housing.

Patterson was born in 1939 in Humboldt, Tennessee and was married to Evangelist Louise Dowdy Patterson for 40 years. In March 1975, Patterson founded Temple of Deliverance Church Of God In Christ and Bountiful Blessings Ministries, Inc. He was a renowned national speaker, known for messages that transcend all barriers of race, gender, and age around the globe. He passed on March 20 at the age of 67 from heart failure.

***Watch the Memorial Services for Bishop G.E. Patterson LIVE on StreamingFaith.