PAW History: Suffragan Bishop Dr. Madison Gary Copeland, D.D

HISTORY SUFFRAGAN BISHOP DR. MADISON GARY COPELAND, D.D

Now approaching an unprecedented 60th anniversary and retirement as pastor of the historic Greater Sweet Beulah Apostolic Church in Suffolk, Virginia, Suffragan Bishop Dr. Madison Gary Copeland, D.D. is a living legend and historic figure in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW). Quite possibly, Dr. Copeland is the last surviving minister ordained by the late Honorable Presiding Bishop Samuel J. Grimes of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Suffragan Bishop Dr. Madison G. Copeland, D.D. was born to the late Mr. Wilroy and Mrs. Annie Gary Copeland in Suffolk, Virginia. He is the husband of the lovely Elect Lady Mrs. Pauline Penn Copeland. They are the proud parents of two sons, Gary A. Copeland and Samuel B. Copeland and one grandchild, Gary O. Copeland. Educated in Suffolk Public Schools, Suffragan Bishop Copeland attended the Little A School and East Suffolk High School. He furthered his education at the Norfolk State College, now known as Norfolk State University. Bishop Copeland also graduated from the Roanoke Bible College in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Suffragan Bishop Copeland was converted at the age of 9 years old, received the gift of the Holy Spirit at the age of 11, and received a license to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in March 1947 at the age of 15 from the late Bishop Samuel J. Grimes. In 1953, at the age of 21, Pastor Copeland was ordained as an Elder by Bishop Grimes and appointed a District Elder by Bishop Clarence Moore in 1994 by the Virginia State Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. In September 1984, Suffragan Bishop Copeland was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the United Christian College, New York City. He was further elevated to the position of Suffragan Bishop and consecrated by Bishop Clarence E. Moore, Diocesan of the 28th Episcopal District of the Virginia State Council, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. From 1954 – 1958, Suffragan Bishop Copeland was called to minister at Tabernacle United Church of Christ and appointed pastor for two years at St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church and Oak Hill A.M.E. Zion in Hertfort, North Carolina, from 1958 to 1960. As a result of his ministry, over 300 souls were baptized in Jesus’ name at A.M.E Zion Church. Bishop Copeland was then installed as pastor to Greater Sweet Beulah Pentecostal Church on March 18, 1962 by the late Bishop Samuel J. Grimes.

THE NEW BIRTH

Dr. Copeland fondly recalls receiving the precious gift of the Holy Ghost at 11 years of age while attending a prayer service in the Baptist Church he attended with his family. “While in the service, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and began praising God. As I praised him, I began speaking in other tongues. That night I didn’t stop speaking in tongues, so they carried me home and thought something was wrong with me. One man told my father “He’s gone, he done lost his mine what a shame.” He explains “after a while a few more people in that church received the baptism of the Holy Ghost as well. So, they eventually threw us all out of the Baptist Church because they didn’t understand it.’’ It was at that point, young Madison joined the only Apostolic Church in Suffolk, VA, The Greater Sweet Beulah Holiness Church under the pastorate of the late Bishop Howard Jackson. Upon joining the Greater Sweet Beulah, young Madison was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He explains: “they took me down to a muddy creek and I was baptized there. Although I had to borrow someone else’s baptism clothes, I wanted to be baptized so bad, I didn’t mind.”

GREATER SWEET BEULAH

Founded by the late Bishop Howard Jones in 1934 as Sweet Beulah Holiness Church, The Greater Sweet Beulah Apostolic Church (GSBAC) is the oldest Apostolic church in Suffolk, VA.

Upon the demise of the beloved Bishop Jones, the church was pastored by the late Evangelist Lottie Jordan. A trailblazer in the ministry, it was the Late Evangelist Jordan who came to the Baptist church that a young Copeland was attending at the time and preached “Jesus.” In 1962 Bishop Grimes called on the then 32-year-old Elder Madison Copeland to pastor Greater Sweet Beulah. Known as “the little Church on the hill where everybody is somebody,” (GSBAC) is a dynamic church where people from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life come together to worship and to connect. Dr. Copeland, who attended the church as a child, remembers the early days of members getting baptized in Pitchkettle Creek. Long-time members of the church, Pearline Carroll and Elder Dr. Rosie Carney, can still remember the old wood-burning and later, kerosene heaters that would heat the church during the winter. In one memorable moment, gospel singer Shirley Caesar sang at the church in the 1940s. This made Greater Sweet Beulah Apostolic Church the first church in Virginia she sang. “She was very young when she came,” said Carney. “I remember everyone called her Little Shirley.” In its 89 years, the church has faced many changes, including changing from Trinitarian to Oneness Pentecostal. Initially, upon receiving the request from Bishop Grimes to pastor the church, Elder Copeland expressed some reservations. “I was living in Washington, DC at the time, and Mother Jordan had fallen ill. So, Bishop Grimes wanted to know if I would consider coming to Suffolk to Pastor the Church.” So, I said well Bishop Grimes, the Scripture says, that a prophet has no honor/respect in his hometown and Suffolk is my home. So, I am not sure how the folks there would receive me” (Copeland). Bishop Grimes replied: “Young man, I believe they will kindly receive you.” Upon reassurance from Grimes, Copeland accepted the assignment. Amazingly, in the first few years of his pastorate, Copeland commuted six hours by train each weekend from Washington, DC to Suffolk, to pastor the church before permanently moving back home to Suffolk, VA. During his tenure, the church was re-dedicated in 1966 and Apostolic was added to the church’s name. Also, a dining room, restrooms, baptismal pool and a vestibule were added to the front of the church. Additionally, the choir stand was moved in 1983, a new pastor's study was added, and the bathrooms were moved from the back to the front of the church. Central air and heat, new carpet and a handicap ramp were installed. New pews were also installed in 1990. In 2008, the church underwent a major renovation with remodeling of the pulpit, restrooms, new windows, carpet, and a new roof.

TODAY

The Greater Sweet Beulah Apostolic Church remains a vibrant part of the community in downtown Suffolk, VA, and Suffragan Bishop Dr. Copeland is still serving the Lord at 90 years of age. A wonderful humanitarian, Suffragan Bishop Copeland lends a helping hand to those in need, whether it’s prayer, counseling, transportation, or meals, he is there for you. Suffragan Bishop Copeland states the most important thing to know about me is I have a B.A.C. Degree (Born Again Christian Degree).

Left to Right: Son-Gary A., Wife-Pauline, Grandson-Gary O., Son Samuel (My father)

Bishop with wife, sons, and grandson

THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK “WALKING IN THE PROMISE OF GOD” Bishop Copeland dancing at the PAW Convention in Nashville, TNCopeland at 15 after he was licensed to preach by Bishop Samuel Grimes

Mother’s Day Horne, White