The Life and Leagacy of
Crown Bishop W.A. Sesley B
ishop W.A. Sesley, Sr., a pillar of the community and a celebrated Pastor to many, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at approximately 6:00 A.M. Bishop Willie Aaron Sesley transitioned from this life into eternal peace with the Lord surrounded by his family. Willie Aaron Sesley, Sr. was born to Adrain (Pops) Sesley and Mosetta (Ma Dear) Payne-Sesley on December 27, 1938, in Memphis, Tennessee. Willie was educated in the Memphis City School system, graduating from Melrose High school in 1956. Growing up in Orange Mound, Willie had an unparalleled sense of style and charm that was infectious to those he encountered. After graduating high school, his career began as a line operator in 1960 at Hunt-Wesson. Always a hard and dedicated worker, his solid work ethic transcended into his becoming a liaison between the company and its employees promoting him to Chief Union Steward. Even then, God was preparing him for what would eventually result in more than a half-century of service to the community. Brother Willie served as a deacon, a trustee, and faithfully carried out other assignments at the Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis. In 1964, W. A. Sesley was called into the ministry at age 25. He preached his first sermon, “GOD IS ABLE” from the text Daniel 3:16, on the fourth Sunday in March of the same year. In 1965, he obeyed the voice of God and founded Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1440 Ledger Road along with his wife at the time, Annie R. Sesley and 16 other members. In 1968, he started the legendary weekly Sunday evening “Hour of Faith” radio broadcast on WLOK. As word began to
spread about Morning Star, membership increased, resulting in the need to move to the current location, 3161 Park Avenue, in 1970. As Pastor Sesley’s walk grew deeper and his knowledge increased with the Lord, he felt God was leading him to change the denomination from Baptist to Holiness NonDenominational (1973). Over the years, the ministry continued to grow under W. A. Sesley’s leadership; and Morning Star’s ever-increasing membership made it necessary for expansion. Additional wings were added to the sanctuary for extra seating; the Family Life Center was erected; and the edit suite was added for television, to start the Morning Star World Wide Ministries Telecast. In October of 2016, Pastor W. A. Sesley was elevated to the office of Bishop with the United Fellowship International Ministries, where he served proudly as the jurisdictional bishop over the Tennessee Region. Bishop Sesley’s leadership has impacted not only the United States, but also the four corners of the world. Because of his undying love for the Kingdom, Bishop realized that it was time to relinquish his duty as Pastor and transferred the guard to Elder Terrance Sesley, in 2019. The community and the world knew the pastor, bishop, and leader, but his greatest joy was being daddy, granddaddy, great-granddaddy, and family man. He was proceeded in death by his parents; stepfather, M.D. Miller; his son, Willie Aaron Sesley II; and his grandson, Willie Aaron Sesley III. Bishop W. A. Sesley leaves a legacy of memories with his wife, Alfreda Boykin-Sesley; 4 sons, Michael A. Sesley, Gavin L. Sesley, Cedric P. Sesley, Terrance D. Sesley, Sr. (Callie); 3 daughters, Tonja Y. Sesley, Tenikki W. Sesley, Gwendolyn Y. Edwards; daughter-in-law, Rita Riddle; step-daughter, Melbrace Boykin; grandchildren, Ashera, Caleb, Terran, Terrance, II., Michaela; greatgrandchild, Layla; sisters, Jettie Sesley-Thomas (Dr. Grady, deceased), Gwen Elliot, Rita Moore, Hazel Moore, Gwen Harper, Evelyn Sesley; brothers, James Sesley (Rose, deceased), Herbert Moore, Sr. (Brenda), James Stubbs, Kenneth Sesley; an aunt, Julia Payne; a nephew, Aaron Thomas; nieces, Brenda Payne, Bwia Sesley, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and spiritual sons and daughters.
“Bishop’s Favorite Scriptures” Romans 5:5 ~ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Mark 11:23 ~ For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Numbers 23:19 ~ God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Isaiah 54:17 ~ No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Daniel 3:16-17 ~ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. Hebrews 11:16 ~ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Roman 8:28 ~ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Phillipians 4:13 ~ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Proverbs 17:22 ~ A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Ephesians 3:20 ~ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Hebrews 12:14 ~ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord Roman 4:20 ~ He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God 1 Peter 1:16 ~ Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. James 1:5-6 ~ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
C
herished Memories
A F F I R M AT I O N O F O U R FA I T H
Leader: We Affirm Our Faith In The United Fellowship Of The Body Of Christ. Response: There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:4-6 Leader: We Affirm Our Faith To Believe That God Has But One Church. Response: And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; Acts 17:26 Leader: We Affirm Our Faith In God As Creator and Owner Of Everything. Response: In the beginning God created the heaven and earth. Genesis 1:1 The earth is the LORD’S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1 Leader: We Affirm Our Faith In The Word Of God. Response: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. St. John 1:1-3 Leader: We Affirm Our Faith That The Father, Son And Holy Ghost Are One. Response: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. I John 5:7 Leader: We Affirm Our Faith In Being Made In The Image And Likeness of God. Response: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:26, 27 Leader: We Affirm Our Faith in Repentance. Response: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10: 9 Leader: We Affirm Our Faith In Salvation. Response: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10: 9, 10 Leader: We Affirm Our Faith In The Gospel. Response: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16, 17 Leader: We Affirm Our Faith That Jesus Died And Rose Again And That The Dead In Christ Shall Rise Again. Response: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Leader: We Affirm Our Faith In The Existence Of A New Heaven And New Earth. Response: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; Revelations 21:1 AMEN.
Order of Celebration Saturday, October 30, 2021 • 11:00 A.M. Mt. Moriah East Baptist Church 1248 Haynes Avenue • Memphis, Tennessee 38114 Rev. Dr. Melvin Charles Smith, Senior Pastor
Presiding Bishop Samuel Earl White | Officiating: Bishop Reginald Brown International Presiding Bishop of United Fellowship International Ministries, Inc.
Musical Prelude..................................................................................................................................“Praise Him” Processional......................................................................................Chief Adjutant, Pastors, Elders, & The Family The Sealing of the Bier The Hymn of Comfort......................................................................................Bishop W. A. Sesley Memorial Choir “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
The Invocation..............................................................................................................................Pastor Kevin Levy
Striving Toward Excellence Ministries
Scripture Reading: The Old Testament: Psalms 27......................................................................................Pastor Ivory Jackson
Faith Temple COGIC
The New Testament: I Corinthians 15:50-58.........................................................Pastor Barbara Thompson Lakeshores Community Church
The Affirmation of Our Faith........................................................................Regional Supervisor Dr. Nancy Flowers Musical Selection...............................................................................................Bishop W.A. Sesley Memorial Choir
“Remembering Bishop W.A. Sesley” (Respectfully, Two Minutes Please)
Reverend Dr. Melvin Charles Smith - Mt. Moriah East Baptist Church Bishop Charles Rogers - Presiding Bishop, Pastor Emeritus, Impact Pastor Anthony Wilcots - Bible Days Revival Church Muscial Selection.............................................................................................Bishop W.A. Sesley Memorial Choir Special Remarks from the Mayor................................................................Mayor Jim Strickland, City of Memphis Acknowledgements & Resolution...........................................................................................Dr. Charlie M. Walker Resolution from United Fellowship International Ministries, Inc.................................Chief Adjutant Morris Tellis Remarks from the Presiding Bishop
“Special Tributes”
Bishop Clyde Hairston, Miracle Temple Dr. Tommie Matthews Dr. Jettie Sesley-Thomas, Sister The Sermonic Selection......................................................................................Bishop W.A. Sesley Memorial Choir Eulogy..................................................................................................................................Bishop Andrew Jackson
Pastor Emeritus of Faith Temple COGIC
Recessional
~ Acknowledgements ~
We would like to express our sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks for your prayers and support during a very difficult time for our family. We sincerely appreciate your sentiments of love, concern, and kindness. May God richly bless each of you. Special Thanks to Reverend Dr. Melvin Charles Smith and the Mt. Moriah East Baptist Church Family, The Presiding Bishop Samuel E. White of The United Fellowship Ministries, Inc., Baptist East Memorial Hospital, Morning Star Church Worldwide Ministries, and Faith Temple COGIC, amd Rodrick Flowers. The Family of Bishop W.A. Sesley
~ Honorary Pallbearers ~
Deacon Marvin Harris James Sesley Melrose High School Class of 1956
~ Active Pallbearers ~
Deacon Levelle Bobo Deacon Ronald Thompson Elder Marvin Matthews Deacon Ozzie Paige
Bro. James Lee Deacon Willie Miles Bro. MacArthur Sharkey
~Committal Rites & Emboment ~ Memorial Park Cemetery 5668 Poplar Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38119
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