|
|
|
In Memory of our Late
Chief Apostle Pastor
and General Overseer Bishop L. Hunter
July 18, 1914 - July
24, 1991

"For me to live is Christ
and to die is gain"
Philippians 1:21 |
Bishop Hunter was first called to the
ministry in 1940. He initially rejected Gods call. His premise was
that preaching was a serious job and not to be taken
unconscientiously. He felt he was unworthy to carry the gospel of
Christ. Bishops years of resistance was spent in agony, pain, and
illness, of which, he had never experienced before. He decided to
then move to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For some time, God continued
to deal with Bishop Hunter. Eventually, he became convinced that if
he did not surrender to the Lord, his life would be taken. After
running for three years, he then gave heed to the heavenly voice of
the Lord and preached his first sermon on March 18, 1943 in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Lord gave this young man a vision. He showed him in
that vision a Church; the interior walls, the ceiling, floors, pews,
pulpit, and even the furniture. However, the location was unknown. A
few months later, while walking along, he saw a sign, Church For
Rent. He called the number inscribed and made an appointment to meet
with the owner. Bishop Hunter was relying totally on the Lord to
guide and direct him. In doing so, he told the Lord that if it was
his will for him to rent this church, let the owner be in the office
awaiting and asleep. When he arrived at the office, the proprietor
was asleep. The owner unlocked the door of the building and it was
IDENTICAL to the vision the Lord had shown him earlier. Bishop Hunter
preached at this location fervently (16th Street and Columbia
Avenue). After several months, another location was offered in South
Philadelphia, at 22nd and Federal. Many souls were baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ and were filled with the Holy Ghost.
After about 3
years of
ministering in Philadelphia, another major change took place in Bishop
Hunters life. God began to deal with him again. This time according
to Bishop Hunter, God was saying, Go to South Carolina. Again he was
reluctant to give heed to the voice of the Lord. He felt as though he
would never accomplish anything in South Carolina. As Bishop would
say, The Lord continued to say, South Carolina. One morning around 2
A.M., the Lord showed him a vision of the condition of South Carolina,
and why he needed to go there. The sight was terrible. Bishop
described the force applied to his neck, whenever he rebelled against
going to South Carolina. It was as if his breathing was being
hindered. In other words, being cut off. On a previous occasion this
had happened because of his rejection. The people of the South were
being taken advantage of and there seemed to be no rest or relief for
the people. This vision troubled Bishop. So much that he immediately
got dressed and was ready to go to South Carolina that instant, if it
meant him having to walk there.
Bishop arrived in South Carolina on January 10, 1946. He preached his
first sermon just four days later on January 14, 1946. Since his
arrival, there has been corn in South Carolina. Bishops ministry
extended over the course of 48 years, during which many were baptized
"IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST" for the remission of their sins, and many
were blessed with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. Many are
continuing steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine until this day.
Bishop Hunter departed from this life on July 24, 1991 and now rests
from his labor. We truly thank God for him and the work the Lord has
done through him. |