Tuesday, March 20, 2007
COGIC Bishop G.E. Patterson Dies at 67
Posted by Flyer Staff on Tue, Mar 20, 2007 at 4:00 AM
The predominantly black Protestant denomination, headquartered in Memphis, claims 6 million members worldwide and traces its origins to the 1870s.
The church said in a statement that Patterson died at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.
Patterson was hospitalized in January for an undisclosed illness. He told his followers in 2005 that he suffered from prostate cancer.
At the 99th annual COGIC Holy Convocation in November, he said he had considered stepping down from the post he held since 2000, but changed his mind after receiving an outpouring of support.
"If my body being afflicted can get us back to where God wants us to be, then I'm willing to suffer," Patterson said at the time. Following his comments, Patterson received a standing ovation.
"It was a direct result of his work, such as his TV ministries, that allowed people to see COGIC as it should have been projected," said jurisdictional Bishop Jerry Maynard, the chief operating officer of the national church who had worked with Patterson since 1992.
"He always said if you represent God, you should represent him in a very positive way and not in a way that cause people to question God or his ways."
Maynard said the church would begin selecting a successor after memorial services are completed.
"Many people know him because of his worldwide telecast and the kind of compassion and love and faithfulness that he demonstrated," said San Diego jurisdictional Bishop George D. McKinney, a member of the COGIC General Board.
"America lost an angel today," former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. said in a statement. "He was favored by the Almighty and he used his favor to instruct us all on how to be better servants."
He was born in Humboldt, Tenn., and was ordained as an elder in COGIC in 1957 in Detroit.
Patterson attended Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Detroit Bible Institute and held an honorary doctorate from Oral Roberts University.
Patterson is survived by his wife, Louise Patterson. The couple had no children. Funeral arrangements were pending.
Comments (126)
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Bishop, You were truly an amazing MAN of God. You inspired me, you encouraged me. Most of all you gave me that Blessed Hope that Jesus was the best thing that could ever happen to me or anyone. Go on now and take your rest, we all loved you, but God Almighty loved you best. I'm going to miss your Bountiful Blessings Telecast. My heart is heavy but I know that you are at peace.
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My heart was sadden to hear that Bishop G.E. Patterson had gone on to be with the Lord.I always looked forward to listening to him on BET (Sunday morning).A great and powerful man of God will be missed. We will keep the family in our prayers. SDVinson (Montgomery, Alabama)
Bishop GE Patterson will always be remembered in my life, because he inspired me through his tv ministry to go forth and accept the calling God had set forth for me. Then I met him about six years ago and realized how of a Godly person he was. He had a passion for Gods people to minister to others no matter who they are. Bishop Patterson's movement in the US will be carried on until the second coming of Christ!
To The family, The prayer captains in Milwaukee, Wiscosin send their condolens to Mother Patterson and our Prayer Warrior Mother Frances Kelley. Our Leader was one of a kind he will be very greatly missed by all. We ar praying for you all and the church as a whole. God Be with You Prayer Captains
I remember listening to a sermon of Bishop Patterson some years ago and his words help me feel the holy spirit and understand the wonderful love and mercy of God. I will always remember him for his way of deliver and ministry. My mother was an devoted member of his TV ministry. God has a plan.
To my COGIC Family and most certainly the immediate family of our Bishop. I just want to say that before I knew the structure of the COGIC I would watch Bountiful Blessings on television, not knowing at the time whom I was watching. Once I became a licensed Evangelist Missionary for the COGIC I immediately felt connected to Bishop Patterson. In times of distress before I got saved and sanctified, I would listen to the Bishop and he encouraged my soul and gave me hope and I'll miss that. But one thing I am certain of is that God is rejoicing to finally have His servant home. We mourn in the flesh, but the Spirit is rejoicing for the homegoing of our Bishop. Say hello to God for us Bishop.
Bishop is soldier who has finished his course. To God Be The Glory! Although this is a time for celebration, quite frankly, at this point I'm just trying to take it all in. I shall surely miss Bishop. His messages were a blessing. He was a shining example of holiness. He made the reality of holiness achievable for us all, without excuse. I love the fact that he was a man who lived what he preached. You never heard any rumors or anything untoward about him. He was real. His spirit will surely live on... I hope that his tapes will continue to be aired for a while. Hopefully, we won't be cut off from him so suddenly and completely all at once...My condolences to his family and members of COGIC. You are certainly in my prayers. You are blessed to have had Bishop's leadership. His leadership transcended religious, denominational, geographic, and racial boundaries. Thank you for sharing him with us...
Bishop is a soldier who has finished his course. To God Be The Glory! Although this is a time for celebration, quite frankly, at this point I'm just trying to take it all in. I shall surely miss Bishop. His messages were a blessing. He was a shining example of holiness. He made the reality of holiness achievable for us all, without excuse. I love the fact that he was a man who lived what he preached. You never heard any rumors or anything untoward about him. He was real. His spirit will surely live on... I hope that his tapes will continue to be aired for a while. Hopefully, we won't be cut off from him suddenly and completely all at once...My condolences to his family and members of COGIC. You are certainly in my prayers. You are blessed to have had Bishop's leadership. His leadership transcended religious, denominational, geographic, and racial boundaries. Thank you for sharing him with us...
Bishop G.E. Patterson led by example and showed us how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. He has deeply touched my family and I know God is saying, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
My heart goes out to Mo. Louise Patterson. We are praying that God gives you strength to go through a time such as this. Just know that we in Kansas Southwest,under the leadership of Bishop J.C. Gilkey Sr., loves you very much and we also loved Bishop Patterson. Bishop Patterson was a true definition of a Man Of God. Anytime Bishop Patterson walked in the room, Gods annointing filled the place. He was a Godly man and we will truly miss him. But one good thing about it, is that Bishop Patterson has made it a place where we are living to get to. HE MADE IT. God Bless You Mother Patterson and are prayers are with you. God Bless Love Missionary Carlotta Gentry and Kansas Southwest Jurisdiction Bishop J.C. Gilkey Sr.
Bishop G.E. Patterson was a man of honor and a man that loved the Church Of God In Christ. Our prayers are with Mother Louise Patterson and the Temple of Deliverance Church of God In Christ church family. I pray that our church will have unity and not division, we need each other. Sincerely, National Adjutant - Elder J.E. Murchison
We the Bishop and members of Bountiful Blessings World Fellowship Inc. and The International Body Of Christ Fellowship Of Churches Inc. Little Rock, Arkansas., thank God for the life, love, leadership and legacy and the message, ministry and music of The Honorable Late Bishop G. E. Patterson. We thank You Mother Patterson and Family and to all of the Bishops, Elders, Pastors, Leaders and entire membership of the Church. We are praying for you and commit you into the hands of the God of all comfort. As a young man I felt the call of God on my life to the pastoral ministry through Bishop Patterson's ministry. Because of Bishop Patterson's indelible influence on my life, I believe the Lord spoke to my heart at the tender age of 18 years old and told me, even before I accepted His call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that I was to do the work of an apostle and organize a local church named Bountiful Blessings World Fellowship in the great city of Little Rock, Arkansas. More that 20 years later our ministry is still growing and thriving to this day. In the words of a christian composer, "Thank you Bishop G. E. Patterson,for giving to the Lord, I was a life that was changed, thank you for giving to the Lord, I'm so glad that you gave". You touched and influenced lives that you may never know of this side of Glory. The Winans recorded these sentiments, "For we may never know all the people we have reached, but we know You(Jesus)know, for a record you do keep and when the end does finally began, we will receive a great reward for what we've done". Bishop Stephen W. Christian.
Bishop G.E.Patterson will be GREATLY MISSED! May God Bless the Patterson Family as well as the Bountiful Blessings Church Family!
We will truly miss Him, Bishop G.E. Patterson was a Leader among leasders, I thank God for his wife for sharing him with us, our prayers are with you.
To the church of God in Christ. I was sadden to hear about Bishop Patterson, but also in my heart glad to know that another great man of God has March on to Zion. Every Sunday morning I have enjoyed listening to him deliver God words. Thank you for sharing your great Pastor and Leader with the World at large. Sincerely. TV Viewer/North Carolina
To The Family of COGIC Bishop G.E. Patterson: Bishop Patterson will be truly missed and I thank God for sending us a "TRUE MAN of GOD". I always love to hear him preach and teach the word of GOD. It was plain and easy to understand. Bishop you will be missed by everyone. Your Sister in COGIC, A Member of Abundant Life Christian Church - Cogic,Raleigh, North Carolina. My pastor is Supt. S.E. Powell & First Lady B.A. Powell. Rest in Peace Bishop Patterson - With Love From Our Family, Sister Shelley Jackson
Bishop Patterson was an awesome man of God. When he gave the word it was always just what you needed and at the time you needed. Bishop will be sadly missed. My prayers are with his family and his church family.
Bishop Patterson was a monumental shaping force not only in the lives of the people of God, but also in the lives of preacher's. He set the standard for preaching at a level that will always remain high. He was a homiletically and hermeneutically genius when it came time for the word of God to be preached. Bishop will always be remembered for his desire to see the people of God blessed in every area of their lives. Heaven has become richer because of the great deposit that was just made. Our prayers are with you Mother Patterson. "Earth has no sorrow, that Heaven cannot heal." -Reverend Quincy J. Rineheart
My heart was sad when I heard about the pasting of Bishop Patterson.He was a great man in God.I love seeing him on Sunday morning as I was preparing for my morning service. Bishop Patterson will never be forgotten. I truly thank God for this man he was on of the men who fought for us here in Southern New Jersey to get our Jurisdiction. GOd Bless my prayers are with the family.AN ANGEL HAS BEEN CALLED HOME!!!
Dear Mother Louise Patterson, Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Our prayers are with you and the Church of God In Christ family.
My heart was sad when I heard about the pasting of Bishop Patterson. Bishop was a great and mighty man in God. I will never forget the night being in Memphis and Bishop Patterson before walking into the service took the time out to shake my hand and say hello. I really enjoyed se Bishop in November seeing him going forth in the Lord despite how he felt. I Thank God for this man who helped fight a good fight for us here in Southern New Jersey. Thanks to Bishop Patterson and others we finally recieved our Jurisdiction.Last my prayers are with the family.GOD BLESS YOU ALL! Pastor Clements-New Jersey, True Praise Ministry COGIC
Bishop Patterson was a great man of God and will be greatly missed for his simple way of explaining God's word to the body of christ so that everyone could eat at the table and be full!!! My prayers go out to Lady Patterson and the entire COGIC family worldwide.
SISTER PATTERSON I AM SORRY HEAR ABOUT YOU LOSS MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND FAMILY HE WAS GREAT MAN OF GOD I ENJOY LISTENING TO HIM ON SUNDAY HE KNOW JUST HOW DELIVER THE MESSAGE TO YOU
Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson you will be dearly missed and my prayers go out to Louise and all of the saints of God under your leadership. Thanks for being a true soldier in the field for the Lord. You took us to higher heights in the COGIC minstry. I know the Lord said well done thy faithful servent!!! Robert (Bountiful Blessings COGIC COS).
My prayers go out to Lady Patterson and the entire Patterson family. The body of Christ is at a great lost for Bishop Patterson was an awesome man of God who I loved dearly. I will miss my beloved Bishop may he rest in the arms of the Lord until we meet again. LaShawn - Gary,Indiana
"TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD." DEATH IS NOT THE END JUST THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE WITHOUT PAIN OR SORROW. WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU, SISTER LOUISE AND THE COGIC FAMILY. BISHOP WILL BE GREATLY MISSED HERE ON EARTH. HE HAS MADE SUCH AN IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY. BE ENCOURAGED, BECAUSE OF ALL HE HAS DONE AND THE IMPARTING OF THE ANOINTING HE OPERATED IN - HE LIVES ON. GOD IS WITH YOU AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. WE LOVE YOU AND WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU LIFTED IN PRAYER. LOVING YOU ALL THE WAY FROM GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA
As a third-generation member of the Church of God in Christ, I am one of the multiplied thousands who highly-esteemed Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson as a mighty man of God and a powerful preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While visiting in Georgia a few years ago, I was invited to attend a service where he was the speaker. Imagine my awe when this phenomenal servant of the Most High God took the time to walk through the fellowship hall after church, smiling and greeting the saints and making us ALL feel as if he knew and loved us individually. I'd been to Memphis many times, but never before had I had the privilege of being so near to one of our international presiding bishops. I cherish that experience. I'm glad that I have several tapes and videos from his Bountiful Blessings telecast. His voice will still proclaim, "BE HEALED, BE DELIVERED, BE SET FREE", even in the ears of my children and grandchildren (the 4th and 5th generations of COGIC in my family.) May God be with Mother Patterson, the Temple of Deliverance church family, and this grand old Church of God in Christ world-wide. How blessed we were to have Bishop G. E. Patterson to lead us on in the way of holiness. He's HOME now, and there's shouting on the streets of glory! Dr. M. Chipman, Missionary, Denver, Colorado
To a devoted servant of our Lord and Savior, an annoited sheperd, a spiritually in-tunned example, someone who feed the word uncensored, and to a man that touched the hearts of many...Thank You and Thank the Lord for sharing you. As Bishop would often Preach: "...Yes to Your will Lord...Yes to Your way"! And as Bishop would often Sing: "IIII will trust in the Lord...III will trust in the Lord...III will trust in the Lord...til' III...!", and all who knew him knows he did. Love and Prayers to Bishop's wife (Sis. Lou), family, and our COGIC family.
"WE LOVE YOU SISTER LOUISE" BE ENCOURAGED AND KNOW THAT THE LORD IS YOUR COMFORT WE WILL MISS BISHOP PATTERSON. "TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD." DEATH IS NOT THE END JUST THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE WITHOUT PAIN OR SORROW. WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU, SISTER LOUISE AND THE COGIC FAMILY. BISHOP WILL BE GREATLY MISSED HERE ON EARTH. HE HAS MADE SUCH AN IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY. BE ENCOURAGED, BECAUSE OF ALL HE HAS DONE AND THE IMPARTING OF THE ANOINTING HE OPERATED IN - HE LIVES ON. GOD IS WITH YOU AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. WE LOVE YOU AND WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU LIFTED IN PRAYER. LOVE EUGENE & GWENDOLYN ELMORE GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA
"WE LOVE YOU SISTER LOUISE" BE ENCOURAGED AND KNOW THAT THE LORD IS YOUR COMFORT WE WILL MISS BISHOP PATTERSON. "TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD." DEATH IS NOT THE END JUST THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE WITHOUT PAIN OR SORROW. WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU, SISTER LOUISE AND THE COGIC FAMILY. BISHOP WILL BE GREATLY MISSED HERE ON EARTH. HE HAS MADE SUCH AN IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY. BE ENCOURAGED, BECAUSE OF ALL HE HAS DONE AND THE IMPARTING OF THE ANOINTING HE OPERATED IN - HE LIVES ON. GOD IS WITH YOU AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. WE LOVE YOU AND WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU LIFTED IN PRAYER. LOVE EUGENE & GWENDOLYN ELMORE GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA
What a tremendous minister of the Gospel. I knew him via TV and watched each Sunday. I gained much from his ministry and consider him one of the greatest preacher of our day.
My heart was truly sad to here that we had lost such a true patriarch. Bishop, you have been an inspiration to me long before I accepted my call. But joy overwhelms me at the thought that you are on your way to that glory that you always preached so profoundly about. I pray for your families and the church's strength. Also, for the Lords guidance in choosing a successor though no one will ever be able to fill your shoes. God bless you Bishop Patterson . . . I will see you in the morning. (Montgomery, AL)
To my COGIC Family and most certainly the immediate family of our Bishop, our thoughts, prayers, love, and support are with you. Certainly our Presiding Bishop will be missed; First Lady Patterson my heart goes out to you and the family. I thank God for the both of you, being touchable and right down to earth. I look at you and Bishop as my parents...Father God has blessed us with a leader who has reached the lost, the hurting, the Saints, no matter what race, creed, nationality, denomination, or origin you may be. Bishop was a Great Man of God, a Man of Valor, a Man of Integrity, a Man of Honor and so much more…With all our love, Pastor James E Lowe and the Belt Temple COGIC of Hattiesburg Mississippi.
Pittsboro,North Carolina To The Family: We extend to you God's Grace for this time of loss. You are in our prayers and we know that God will strengthen and help you through this hour because He is the greatest power. He was a Gospel Father to us all. Bishop Elect Dora D.Lee/Deliverance Tab.Fell. Church
Bishop, you have fought the good fight, you have certainly kept the faith. You have touched the lives of so many in your Ministry, now sleep on, and take your rest from your labour. I trust to see you in the Morning.
I will truley miss Bishop Patterson, I looked forward to him each sunday morning on BET,each message encourage me to be a better Christian read my bible, he said that anything you need to know about life was in the Holy Word just read your Bible I found so many ways to deal situation in life. "God I Thank you for sending Bishop G.E. Patterson in so many people lives"
I will truley miss Bishop Patterson, I looked forward to him each sunday morning on BET,each message encourage me to be a better Christian read my bible, he said that anything you need to know about life was in the Holy Word just read your Bible I found so many ways to deal situation in life. "God I Thank you for sending Bishop G.E. Patterson in so many people lives"
We have lost a TRUE man of God. You can not find many good preachers these days who will give you a word from heaven. I am truly sadden by this great lost.But we must remember he is in his GLORY!!! AND WATING FOR US TO MEET HIM THEIR! GOD BLESS YOU BISHOP PATTERSON YOU HAVE TOUCH MY SOUL IN A TREMENDOUS WAY.I WILL SEE YOU IN GLORY PRAISE GOD!
HI: My Deepest simpathy to the family, this is a great shock to me and my family, we Love Bishop Patterson, and he will be truly miss.He was such a great man of God, And I watch him every Sunday morning, My heart is truly broken, But I know he is with the Lord. Too be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Bishop Patterson, you remind of Jesus, for you came from a blessed lineage. I’m grateful for every Sunday morning I rose early to here the TV broadcast. Your messages were always anointed and full of the power of the Holy Ghost. We loved you but God loved you best, take your rest.
Our honorable Bishop will be sorely missed. He touched many lives and captured the hearts of the saints. His genuine love for God, his members, and this Grand Ole Church will be missed. Our hearts go out to his family and church members.
Bishop Patterson will truly be missed. He preached the word in season and out of season. My prayers go out to his family. May God comfort you and remind you that you will see Bishop Patterson again.
Bishop Patterson, the name speaks for the servant of the Lord that he was. I dearly loved this kind man.He revived my spirit many times, when I would hear his sermons. Simply to the heart he was a man of God. Prayers to the Patterson family, I love you all. Juanita Young Dalton, GA
Truly we have lost a giant in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but thank God for giving him to us for the time he was here! First Lady Patterson my prayers and that of my congregation are with you, the family and the ministry and may the God of grace comfort you during your time of sorrow and mourning! Remember, you will see him again; TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD! Bishop Stanley Sinegal First United Full Gospel Assembly Lafayette, La.
The world has lost a true man of God and Heaven is rejoicing to recieve him. He will be missed until we meet again..... Daughter of the late Reverend David A. Kelley, Sr of Bakersfield, Ca.
I will like to say that I respected that man so much. Just watching him for 30 minutes had a big impact on me. I started to order his CD's and have so deeply touched with his way of teaching. I am deeply hurt and will miss his teaching. My condolenses to the First Lady. God Bless
I just wanted to tell the family to "keep on holding on". I use to watch Bishop Patterson and I was inspired by him because he was not like the traditional COGIC pastor. Yes, he preached holiness but that it was a way of life not that you were holy because of your long dress and the dollies on your head!!!!
Bishop, You were truely an inspiration to my life. Watching you via television really did not matter because your word and how you ministered it could touch me at all times. I received so much from your ministry that it would be hard to find a successor. May God Bless you!
The Grace Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion of Richmond, Virginia, Pastor and First Lady Stockton extend heartfelt condolenses to Sister L. Patterson and the COGIC family. I have listen to Bishop and have borrowed from him since I did my trial sermon in 1994. He demonstrated how to do urban mininstry in these times; simply love God and his people. He will truly be missed not only by COGICs but all God's servants.
Bishop G.E. Patterson was a true man of God. His sermons, his praise and adoration to God was so blessed. Even though we will miss him in flesh...he has gone on to be with Jesus the Christ who is well pleased with the Bishop. His songs were anointed, his broadcast were anointed...he was anointed. I will never forget him but I will continue the works of Jesus Christ as instructed and I know I will see him again in Glory. So Church of the LIVING GOD be encourage for the Bible states, that Bishop Patterson is now apart of the "CLOUD OF WITNESSES" praying to God for the remaining saints and cheering us on. He is now with the Shepherd and Bishop of his soul...bowing, worshipping, honoring and giving all glory to the LAMB OF GOD who sitteth King for ever. To Mrs. Patterson continue to be encourage and be strong, God has called your precious husband home because his works were finished. The Bible says, Precious is the death of my saints. On the behalf of the McCoy family we love you and we are praying for you. Sincerely, Evangelist Caroline McCoy
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