A resolution celebrating the life of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson.

Whereas Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson was born in 1939 to Bishop W.A. and Mrs. Mary Patterson, Sr., in Humboldt, Tennessee;

Whereas Bishop Patterson was reared in Memphis, Tennessee, and Detroit, Michigan, and ordained as an elder in the Church of God in Christ in 1958 by Bishop J.S. Bailey;

Whereas Bishop Patterson grew in wisdom at the Detroit Bible Institute and LeMoyne Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee;

Whereas, in 1962, Bishop Patterson became co-pastor with his father of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Memphis, Tennessee;

Whereas, in 1975, Bishop Patterson founded Temple of Deliverance, the Cathedral of the Bountiful Blessings;

Whereas Temple of Deliverance is now a shining star of both the Church of God in Christ and all of the Nation's communities of faith;

Whereas Temple of Deliverance, under Bishop Patterson's wise leadership, continues to touch the entire Nation through its Bountiful Blessings Ministry;

Whereas Bishop Patterson reached millions across the globe with his direct and spirit-filled messages, encouraging the world to be healed, be delivered, and be set free;

Whereas Bishop Patterson served as the international leader of the Church of God in Christ since November 2000, ably leading this denomination of over 6,000,000 members;

Whereas Bishop Patterson passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in Memphis, Tennessee, surrounded by his wife, Mrs. Louise Patterson, and his family;

Whereas Bishop Patterson will be celebrated as an invigorating spiritual leader; and

Whereas the family of Bishop Patterson, the Temple of Deliverance congregation, the Church of God in Christ, and indeed the entire Nation are deeply saddened by the loss of this great man: Now, therefore, be it