Thousands of people have gathered in Memphis for the home-going celebration of a distinguished minister of the Gospel who was famously known for his slogan, "I command you to be healed, be delivered and be set free," that resonated locally, nationally and internationally from his television broadcasts.
One of the three memorial services in honor of the late Bishop G.E. Patterson will be held at 7 tonight at Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ (COGIC), the church that he established.
Patterson influenced the lives of many people, including some University of Memphis students who are mourning the loss of their pastor.
"My initial feeling was devastation when I heard that he passed because I didn't want to accept the fact that he was gone," said Amanda Bolden, junior English major. "Then I started to realize that he's in a better place, so I felt much better. He was like a spiritual mentor and role model to me because he was such a great man of God."
Bolden said she will miss seeing Patterson at church and hearing him sing, as well as the times he would say, "Take your seat if you can," in response to the congregation's exclamations after hearing one of his sermons.
Bryan Smith said he admired Patterson and will never forget his pastor.
"I will miss him because he was a father to me," said Bryan Smith, junior finance major. "Bishop Patterson contributed to 90 percent of my growth in Christ. I learned so much from him, and everyone around me noticed it."
Smith said his family always questioned why he loved attending Temple of Deliverance so much and his response was, "Listen to him (Bishop Patterson) one time, and he'll show the way."
Smith said he recalls many memories of his pastor but is most pleased with an opportunity that he received on his 20th birthday in 2006.
"I was actually privileged to honor Bishop G.E. Patterson with the Author S. Holman Lifetime Achievement Award, along with current BSA president Desmond Robinson and President Raines, during a U of M Black History Month ceremony," he said. "That was the greatest gift I could have ever received."
Smith said although he only spoke with Patterson on three occasions, he didn't have to speak to him to know him.
"Bishop's life and heart for the people were evident, especially through his involvement with the youth," Smith said. "He was never one that shoved the youth away but always carried an attentive ear to hear what we had to say. He even had the G.E. Patterson Family Life Youth Center, a recreational venue for various events, built strictly for the youth."
Jessica White, sophomore communication major, said Patterson's vision and creation of a youth radio show is another illustration of his affection toward young people.
"Bishop Patterson created an avenue such as the Youth Platform show (YP) for youth like myself to utilize our gifts through ministry," White said. " He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself and was always willing to give you a chance."
Bishop Patterson had a mind that was always ready to build and even expanded YP to live production and print media, something of which made him proud, she said.
White said she encourages all young people affiliated with Bishop Patterson to keep his legacy alive.
" For those who were not able to say their last 'I love you's' or 'thank you's' to him, they can still do that by letting his characteristics forever be a part of their characters," she said. "These characteristics include being kingdom-minded and having a serving spirit in your church and community because that's what this life is all about."
Despite Patterson's passing, White said she is also thankful to God for blessing her with such a prominent leader.
"He was an ideal example of how the people of God should be, especially in these last days," she said. "He was a very humble, intelligent, driven person who was always ready to do whatever God deemed necessary to win souls into the kingdom."
White said some people may have questioned why God healed Patterson through physical death, but she said it is important to understand God's plan of action.
"We have to remember that when we ask God for something, he does it in the way he sees fit," she said. "We tend to miss out on what God wants to do for us if we limit him and his ways of blessing. Let him do what he has to do."
Nicole McNeal, senior biology major, was not a member of Patterson's church, but she is a member of the COGIC denomination that he presided and said he was the best example of leadership.
"I feel that we lost a great man who knew how to give us the word of God for our soul," she said. "He was not only giving it out, but he was living it and that is critical because there are a lot of leaders who aren't telling the truth or living it as Bishop G.E. did."
McNeal said even though he's gone, she'll never forget the things that Patterson taught.
"The way he lived his life encouraged me to strive for perfection in my life," she said. "I'm going to use his teachings to help me continue on through my spiritual journey for Christ."
