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As a movement, we join in mourning the loss of Bishop Gilbert Earl “G. E.” Patterson, the international presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ. He died Wednesday at age 67.

Patterson was also the founder and pastor of Temple of Deliverance Church in Memphis, Tenn. Founded in 1975, the church now has 12,000 members and houses Bountiful Blessings Ministries, viewed weekly on BET and TBN television networks, and publishes Bountiful Blessings Magazine.

“I know of no man who has demonstrated greater devotion to his pastorate as well as to fidelity in leadership among those in his denomination than this great man,” said Foursquare President Jack Hayford. “His contribution to the body of Christ has been marked by a generosity of spirit and sacrificial service, and it is difficult to imagine the future ministry of the Church at large without him.”

Patterson is a contributing writer in the Spirit-Filled Life Bible (King James Version) published by Thomas Nelson Publishers and edited by Jack Hayford. In July 2002, Patterson released his first book, Here Comes The Judge: Finding Freedom in the Promised Land (Whitaker House).

The Church of God in Christ noted that final arrangements for the “Home Going Celebration” are still pending and will be announced once finalized.

“We know that God is able to sustain us as we honor the memory of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson,” wrote Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., the first assistant presiding bishop for the Church of God in Christ, on the church’s web site.

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