GENTRY RICHARDSON, JR.
PASTOR
Suffragan Bishop Gentry W. Richardson, Jr. was brought up in the way of the Lord by his loving parents Dr. Gentry W. and First Lady Mary E. Richardson. His spiritual father, Bishop William L. Smith, helped to shape his life through invaluable formative guidance as well.
In 1978 Suffragan Bishop Gentry W. Richardson, Jr. found favor with the Lord and was blessed with the love of his life, Denise, during a national convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Suffragan Bishop Richardson and Evangelist Denise Richardson were married in May 1981 and have been blessed with two sons, Gentry III (Trey) and Brandon, one beautiful daughter-in-love, Devin, and a wonderful granddaughter, Giani, the love of their lives.
Over the years, Suffragan Bishop Gentry W. Richardson, Jr. served in many capacities as a dedicated and faithful man of God. He acknowledged and accepted his call to the ministry in 1995 and was ordained as an Elder with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in 2001. For over ten years Suffragan Bishop Gentry W. Richardson, Jr. labored faithfully alongside his father, Dr. Gentry W. Richardson, Sr., as well as under the leadership of the late, great Bishop William L. Smith, as Youth and Assistant Pastor and as a gifted and anointed organist for Bethlehem Temple Church.
After serving God’s people for decades in various capacities of leadership, on July 14, 2013, he received the mantle to lead Bethlehem Temple Church to another level as pastor with the help of the Lord. Suffragan Bishop Gentry W. Richardson, Jr. appointed three Assistant Pastors: Elder Raymond Graham, Elder Mervyn Lockwood and Dr. Ruth Richardson; he also appointed Elder Kris Graham as Youth Pastor.
In a quest to better understand God’s Word, Suffragan Bishop Gentry W. Richardson, Jr. enrolled in Aenon Bible College and Ministerial Training Institute, where he received a Bachelor of Biblical Studies. He is a faithful man of God, showing himself approved unto the Lord, rightly dividing the Word of truth by being a living example. He continues to be a role model to all, as he preaches and teaches his flock declaring God’s Word.
Since Bethlehem Temple Church’s inception in 1944, it has been actively involved in the community. Suffragan Bishop Gentry W. Richardson, Jr.’s God-given vision for BTC continues to expand in more specialized programs to assist the elderly, home-bound saints, youth and the community. He has also added live streaming for those unable to attend church. In 2015, Bethlehem Temple Community Development Corporation was birthed out of his vision to provide programs and services to low-income families in the community.
In March 2018, Pastor Richardson was elevated from District Elder to the office of Suffragan Bishop overseeing District 10. He was consecrated in this position at the Central California District Council in July 2018.