COGIC Bishop led growth to 6.5 million members

There are between 50 and 60 local COGIC congregations.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Several thousand local members of the Church of God In Christ denomination are in mourning after the death of their presiding bishop.
His Grace, the Most Rev. Gilbert Earl Patterson, 67, died Tuesday in Memphis, Tenn., headquarters of the international Church of God in Christ.
His death was announced by Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., first assistant presiding bishop.
Bishop Patterson was largely credited with leading the growth of the church to more than 6.5 million members in dozens of countries.
Elder Robert Mitchell of the Bethel Church of God In Christ at 3147 Glenwood Ave. said there are between 50 and 60 COGIC congregations in the Youngstown, Warren and Farrell areas.
Some are small, with as few as 10 members, but some have memberships as large as 300, he said.
"He was the leader of our international church, a leader in the Memphis community and a leader of the Christian community," Bishop Blake said, calling for an unspecified period of mourning.
What's expected
Elder Mitchell said there will probably be a three-day celebration of the life and service of Bishop Patterson, with tributes following at local COGIC church services.
Bishop Patterson was a gospel minister for more than 40 years, having accepted his calling at age 17, and was ordained as an elder in the church in 1957. He was the son of the late Bishop and Mrs. W.A. Patterson Sr., says his biography.
He was regarded as a scholar, a minister and visionary. He founded Temple of Deliverance in 1975, and today the church has more than 13,000 members. He organized seven churches across the country during his ministerial career. He also was also founder and president of "Bountiful Blessings Ministries," which is viewed nationally on cable television.
He was elected presiding bishop of the Church of God In Christ Inc. in November 2000.