J. O. Patterson Jr.

James Olgethorpe Patterson, Jr., (born 1936) is a Bishop in the Church of God in Christ, Inc., the Chairman of it's General Assembly and the Senior Pastor of Pentecostal Temple Church Of God In Christ, Memphis, TN a congregation of approx 2,500 active members. He is the son of the late Presiding Bishop James Oglethorpe Patterson, Sr. and Mother Deborah Indiana Mason Patterson. Additionally, he is the grandson of the late founding father of the Church of God in Christ, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason. Bishop J. O. Patterson, Jr. is well prepared to pastor this very unique congregation; the only one in the brotherhood pastored by a direct descendant of the founder. He grew up under the teachings of his grandfather and his father, two of the greatest spiritual leaders and church builders of our times. Bishop Patterson fondly remembers and now implements the godly wisdom, instruction and counsel that he received from his grandfather, father and mother.

Biography

Bishop Patterson is married to the former Rose E. Kelly of Nashville, Tennessee. He is the father of four children: Dr. James O. Patterson, III, Aaron Lamont, Jennifer Rose and Elder Charles Harrison Mason Patterson.

Academically, Bishop Patterson earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in 1958 from Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee; Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree in 1963 from DePaul University School of Law, Chicago, Illinois; Master of Arts in Religion Degree in 1985 from Memphis Theological Seminary, Memphis, Tennessee. He was admitted to practice law in the states of Illinois and Tennessee.

Because of his concern for humanity, he was led to seek public office. For twenty-one years he served the State of Tennessee and City of Memphis with dignity, honor, and distinction. Bishop Patterson served as State Senator for six years, State Representative for two years, Memphis City Council for 20 years. He was delegate to Democratic National Convention in 1972, 1976 and 1980, Tennessee Constitutional Convention delegate, Chairman of Memphis City Council and in 1982 the first African American to serve as interim Mayor of Memphis. During his last term in office he announced his decision to not seek re-election and to devote his time, talents and energy to kingdom work.

Bishop Patterson has served the Church Of God In Christ as Elder, District Superintendent, Auxiliary Bishop, Legal Counsel, Saints Center Board of Directors, C. H. Mason Foundation Board of Directors, Advisor to Women's International Convention. He was consecrated to the Bishopric in November, 1988 and was appointed Prelate, Headquarters Jurisdiction. He was elected Vice-Chairman of the General Assembly in November, 1998 and elevated to Chairman, June 2000, after the demise of Chairman Frank Ellis. Bishop Patterson became Pastor of Pentecostal Temple Church Of God In Christ, Memphis, Tennessee, after the demise of his father, Bishop J. O. Patterson, Sr. in 1989 and has provided effectively positive leadership for the church.. Since his appointment as pastor, Bishop Patterson has continually strived to develop church/Christian ministries that will meet the needs of the whole man, as well as, the Memphis community at large. To meet the needs of the homeless and displaced citizens of the city, in April 1990, Bishop J. O. Patterson, Jr. established Pentecostal Temple's Food Pantry and Clothes Closet. Since that time, thousands of hungry people have been fed and clothe.

Bishop Patterson established the J. O. Patterson Radio and Television Ministries to meet the need for community evangelism and ministry to the sick, shut-in and incarcirated.

External links

• Official site
• Succession of Church of God in Christ Leaders