G.E. Patterson, the presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ and a minister for almost 50 years and frequent visitor to St. Louis, died of heart failure Tuesday. He was 67.
The predominantly black Protestant denomination, headquartered in Memphis, claims 6 million members worldwide and traces its origins to the late 19th century.
Patterson was hospitalized in January for an undisclosed illness. He told his followers in 2005 that he suffered from prostate cancer.
“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.”
Patterson was also known for his work in spiritual music and publishing. In January 2007, he won the traditional male vocalist of the year honor at the 22nd annual Stellar Awards for gospel music.
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 was the editor and publisher of the Bountiful Blessings Magazine with a distribution list of more than 100,000.
Patterson is survived by his wife, Louise Patterson. The couple had no children. Funeral arrangements were pending.
It is currently September 1, 2024, and I have just recently discovered many of the sermons preached by this man of God. It make no real difference that these sermons were preached 20, 30, and 40 years ago. God’s word is the same in terms of its relevance, it’s power, and it’s endurance. Brother Patterson had a wonderful gift that he maintained. God will quickly remove a man from his role of prominence in the church if he fails to adhere to the very word he pretends to deliver. This Brother preached the Word in season, out of season. What a blessing. It reminds me of the Pentecostal church I was raised in. That was the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Dallas, Texas, under the leadership of Rev. J.C. Hibbard. Thank God for His wonderful gifts to the body of Christ.
I LOVE BISHOP G E PATTERSON HIS TEACHINGS STILL LIVE ON REST IN JESUS ARMS BISHOP AND MOTHER LOUISE
I had the pleasure of once a year for like 10 years I escorted a cogic superintendent to convocation every year got a chance to her this dynamic man of God do his thang. What a blessing in deed he was
I count that an honor to have served such a wonderful man of God.