Bishop Williams 64th Pastoral Anniversary Booklet

Bishop George A. Williams Founder and Sr. Pastor of

Rehoboth Temple C.O.G.I.C. &

Founder and Emeritus Bishop of Pennsylvania Keystone Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Bishop George A. Williams, son of George and Martha Williams, born on December 26, 1927 in Irwin County, Georgia. After an encounter with the Lord, George was lead to join, and was baptized at, Mathis Chapel Baptist Church, where he served on the church choir. After prayerfully understanding the responsibility of a husband to a wife, he accepted that responsibility in his spirit and heart, and began seeking for a Christian young lady to marry. In 1948, he was introduced to Myrtice L. Harris, by one of her friends. After learning that Myrtice was a devoted Christian young woman, he knew she was the type of person he was seeking to marry. On January 30, 1949, George and Myrtice were united in Holy matrimony. The Lord blessed them with six children: the late Assistant Supervisor Jacqueline Clay, Kenneth Leon, the late Anthony Vernon, Bishop Marvin, the late Zonder DeVon, and Princeciner Renee.

Around the age of 23, Brother Williams was saved. It was the providence of God that one day Brother Williams and his wife, Myrtice, attended the Union Holiness church during the prayer meeting on a Tuesday night. On that same night, the church mother extended a personal invitation to Brother George for prayer. It was then that he learned how to call on the name of the Lord and seek for the Holy Ghost.

From that night, his testimony remains to this date that he has “never been a backslider.”

Brother Williams was appointed to the office of Deacon and he served in that position under the leadership of the late Elder J. W. Graham. In 1954, Deacon Williams moved his family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In that same year, he preached his first sermon under the leadership of the late Bishop Bruce Madison Oakley. The late Bishop O. T. Jones Sr., of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Church of God in Christ, ordained Minister George Williams an Elder in 1958.

By permission, on November 26, 1957, Elder Williams founded the Rehoboth Church of God in Christ in the home of his late brother Rev. Aaron Williams. The first service was held on a Sunday morning in the living room, where a small group of people met. Pastor Williams stood at one end of the room, with his back to the dining room, while he delivered his first pastoral message, “A Wean Child” from the book of Samuel. After preaching a stirring message, Pastor Williams then gave the invitation for the reception of members and nine people joined. Less than a week later, Pastor Williams and his late wife, Myrtice, used their meager family savings and invested it in the ministry. He rented the first floor of a three-story apartment house located at 3107 N. 15th Street.

The Lord has blessed Bishop George A. Williams to accomplished many achievements over the years. In 1965, he received a Doctor of Divinity from Trinity Hall College and Seminary. On February 18, 1967, he became the Chairman of the Board of Elders and appointed Superintendent of the East Philadelphia

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDING BISHOP

September 19, 2021 Bishop George A. Williams Rehoboth Temple Church Of God In Christ 1210 W. Wyoming Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19140

(1 Thessalonians 1: 2 & 3) “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Dear Bishop Williams: To the officers, members and friends of the Rehoboth Temple Church Of God In Christ, it gives me great pleasure to join in with the many well-wishers as you celebrate your 64th Pastoral Anniversary. May this be a time of reflection and celebration for the victories that you all have experienced in the body of Christ. It is an occasion in which not just family, friends and Rehoboth Temple Church Of God In Christ should be proud, but also the entire community, which benefits from your good deeds and work that has gone forth.

Bishop Williams, your service and leadership is greatly appreciated and for a pastor to be in the ministry represents a particular achievement at the heart of its community. Thank you for your selfless service and faithfulness toward the work of the ministry knowing that God is not unfaithful to forget your labor of love. Congratulations to you on your many accomplishments throughout the years. Please know that my prayer is that God’s favor rest on your life as you continue to pursue with excellence your goals and visions for Rehoboth Temple Church of God In Christ.

I am proud to celebrate with you and Rehoboth Temple family and friends on Sunday September19, 2021. Always be encouraged to work for the betterment of mankind, to be a haven for the lost, the despondent and those in need of the love and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be assured that Lady Karen and I are praying that God will keep and watch over you during this time of coming together lifting up the name of Jesus.

May God bless you and all those under your charge whose lives you’ve touched.

In His Service,

J. Drew Sheard, Presiding Bishop & Chief Apostle Eighth in Succession Church of God in Christ, Inc.

CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, INC. 930 Mason St. | Memphis, TN 98126 Office: 901.947.9300 | Fax: 901.947.3607 www.COGIC.org

September 19, 2021 Congratulations Bishop George A. Williams on your 64th Pastoral Anniversary The members of Rehoboth Temple Church of God in Christ are highly favored to have a Shepherd who has been anchored and invested in the Kingdom of God for 64 years. Serving in God’s Kingdom for over six decades is a gift and has the potential of expanding a leader’s capacity to model God’s character and be a living example of being “steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…”

(1 Corinthians 15:58). The countless sacrifices and your endurance will be greatly rewarded.

My prayer is that during this time of celebration, the memories of God’s goodness and faithfulness towards you, your family, the leaders, and laity of Rehoboth Temple will bring your heart joy and only strengthen your faith. God bless you as you continue the work He has entrusted to your hands.

“Whoever pursues righteousness and love, finds life, prosperity, and honor.” Proverbs 21:21 Serving to bring glory to my Father, Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis General Supervisor

Pennsylvania Keystone Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ, Inc. Headquarters Greater Canaan C.O.G.I.C. 651 North 40th Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

215-222-0907 / Office

* 215-387-0182 / Fax

Mother Sherly Williams

Bishop Vernon I. Prioleau, Sr. Jurisdictional Prelate 2 Express Lane Willingboro, NJ 08046 267-864-7706 / Cell

Supervisor, Department of Women 1613 Juniper Avenue Elkins Park, PA 19027 215 635-7180 / Home

September 12, 2021 God Bless you Bishop George A. Williams, Congratulation just does not seem to be adequate for such a great monumental milestone. We honor you; may this 64th Pastoral Anniversary be the best time of celebration for you and the Rehoboth Temple Church of God in Christ congregation.

Bishop Williams, may God bless you for being such a great example and mentor to me and so many other Clergy Men and Women throughout this country. We are the recipients of your ministry and the Lord has helped you help us continue the Work that He has established.

I appreciate you for laying the foundation of the Pennsylvania Keystone Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction as the Lord has given you since 1985. We are yet building the work of the Lord here and along with the Administrative Assistants, District Superintendents, Pastors and Elders, our Jurisdictional Supervisor Mother Sherly Williams, Assistant Supervisors, District Missionaries, Evangelists, Deaconess Missionaries, and all the Lay Men and Women salute you and say Thank you!

Our deepest appreciation for your leadership in providing a “Peaceable Habitation for the Saints of God” for your children to build upon. We are so grateful that the Lord has allowed you to live and see the fruit of your labor. May God’s Choices Blessings always be yours.

Sincerely,

Bishop Vernon I. Prioleau, Sr. Jurisdictiona Prelate

CONGRATULATIONS BISHOP GEORGE A. WILLIAMS On Your

64th Pastoral Anniversary God blessed me, and my siblings, to have two perfect, God-fearing parents, you, and my mother, Myrtice L. Williams. Mom will never be forgotten for her faith, love for God, strong teaching, and consecration. As a patriarch and a progenitor of the Williams family, you have set the standard for living a life of Holiness.

Your parental and spiritual teachings have given me, and my wife, a foundation for a successful marriage, and directions to be God-lead parents.

You have been my pastor for the entire 64 years, and my wife’s for 41 years. I have seen both the good and the bad.

However, I have never seen you treat anyone in a negative way.

You always have a smile on your face. At the age of 93 years old, you still conduct Friday Night Bible Study, attend prayer, and get down on your knees for the duration of prayer. Your life is a living testament of God’s blessings on those that uphold the standards of holiness.

Thank you so much for being the perfect father, natural and spiritual, and my best friend. My wife and I pray daily that God would preserve you. We need you and, more importantly, we love you.

Forever grateful, Bishop Marvin and Sandra Williams

Praise God Happy 64th Pastoral Anniversary

Bishop George A. Williams An awesome Man of God and Magnificent father both spiritually & naturally. Words written or voiced cannot express our love for you or what is truly in our hearts.

Dad, we are blessed to have you as our father. You have always been concerned about our lives, but most importantly, our souls, while yet providing the Word of God. A man of Integrity, and definitely a living testimony for everyone that life is better, if we would commit ourselves to God, by simply making HIM first in our lives.

As for me, Princess, you have instilled “No person, place or thing, is worth going to Hell for.”

As my Pastor, I am following you on this journey to Heaven. Thank you for not giving up on me.

May God continue to strengthen and bless you in all your endeavors!

We Love You, Princess and Kenny

th

Congratulations on your

64 Pastoral Anniversary “I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15.

On this day, I honor you for; service to God and others, a listening ear, wise counsel, powerful prayers and being a reflection of God’s love.

Happy 64th Pastoral Anniversary and may God continue to bless and strengthen you real good.

Love you to Life Kristin

Bishop George A. Williams Dear Bishop Williams, The whole Rehoboth Temple Church of God in Christ family wants to say congratulations and thanks for your 64 years of service. From the bottom of our hearts we want you to know how grateful we are, that you are our pastor. Congratulations are due for what you have accomplished at Rehoboth. The Spirit-filled worship and wonderful thought-provoking messages from the pulpit have made Rehoboth a church where anyone who seeks God can find God. Every time we are blessed to hear you preach we marvel at your insight and how you can connect with each of us.

You have motivated all of us to live a Holy Ghost filled life and to walk in love and humility.

As we reflect on your 64 years, what we feel more than anything is love and gratitude. As a church family, you have shaped each and every one of us in our Faith. We can see God more clearly and feel Jesus in our lives in ways that we never would have without you. Even some of our kids have built life-long relationships with Jesus because of what you have taught and showed them.

We appreciated your faithfulness, truthfulness, and marvel at the efforts you put in serving us. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our church family. “Grateful!” We are.

The Officers and Members of Rehoboth Temple Church of God in Christ.

Congratulations Bishop George A. Williams F ro m

Rehoboth Temple Church of God in Christ 2021 Ministries Adult Choir Anointed Children of God (Mime) Appreciation Committee Benevolence Shop Ministry Busy Bee Children’s Choir Christian Women’s Council (CWC) Drama Ministry Education Department Elder & Minister Wives’ Circle Evangelistic Department

Sister Diane Charleston Sister Charmaine Lane Evangelist Sandra Williams Sister Renee Mathis Sister Keionna Williams Sister Marva Chaney Evangelist Marsha Kellam Sister Diane Charleston Sister Ruth Williams Evangelist Sandra Williams Elder Kenneth Jones

Golden Years Ministry

Sister Wydeia Williams

Greeters Ministry

Sister Darlene Sullivan

Holy Holiday Committee

Sister Charmaine Lane

Home & Foreign Mission

Evangelist Marsha Kellam

Hospitality Committee Interior Decorating Committee Joy Ministry (Thanksgiving Giveaway) Junior Usher Board Men’s Chorus

Sister Perrette Abney Deacon Richard Bishop Sister Antoinette Williams Elder Darrell Sullivan

Men’s Department

Elder Darrell Sullivan

Missionary Circle #1

Evangelist Ella Govan

Missionary Circle #2

Evangelist Gaynell Snead

Mother Myrtice Williams’ Memorial Mother’s Board

Evangelist Georgetta Barriner

New Member’s Class

Evangelist Sandra Williams Mother Louise Butler

Noon Day Prayer Nursing Home Ministry

Evangelist Helen Miller

Pastor’s Aide

Sister Allicia Screven

Pastor’s Travel Aide

Sister Del Turner

Pastor’s Wife Travel Aide Praise Team

Sister Gloria Williams-Jones

Sister Rebecca Bishop 1st Lady Mother Sherly Williams (Interim)

Prayer and Bible Band

Evangelist Audrey Thomas

Purity Class

Sister Annternet Lee

Scholarship Committee

Sister Ruth Williams

Senior Usher Board Sunday School Department Sunshine Band Women’s Department Young Adult Choir Young Adult Usher Board Young People Willing Workers (YPWW) Young Women’s Christian Council (YWCC) Youth Department

Sister Lucille B. Brown Deacon Floyd Williams Sister Angie Evans Mother Christine Stevens Sister Cinell Smith Sister Michelle Grainger Elder Darrell Sullivan Evangelist Gwen Ingram Elder Kyree Jackson

A MESSAGE FROM

BISHOP GEORGE A. WILLIAMS

Dear Members of Rehoboth, Family, and Friends: What a joy and an honor it has been for the past 64 years to serve as the Pastor of Rehoboth Temple Church of God in Christ.

The Lord has been good to us and has blessed us in so many ways, since the beginning of Rehoboth Temple 64 years ago.

The Lord has shown Himself strong and mighty, “To God Be the Glory” for the things He has done. It is truly the work of the Lord.

I want to thank God for His wonderful people, who He has led this way, to be a part of the great work here at Rehoboth Temple. The Lord has blessed our church with great members, and He continues to add to His church such “… as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47) It is with humble gratitude, and my deepest appreciation, that I thank you all for your expressions of kindness down through the years. I AM TRULY GRATEFUL. Thank you again for all that you have done. I pray that God’s continued blessings be with you, as we sojourn on our Christian pilgrimage.

Sincerely, with the Love of Christ,

Bishop GAW Bishop George A. Williams