Greater Christ Temple | About
Bishop Michael Cooper, Sr.
The Life & Legacy of Sfg. Bishop Michael Cooper, Sr. 1951-2023
Suffragan Bishop Cooper was baptized in Jesus’ Name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost in 1975, under the leadership of the late Bishop Cecil A. Pratt, Jr. With this life forever changed, he left the world of music and entertainment he once knew and devoted his life to the Lord. He served faithfully for many years at the Church of Jesus Family Worship Center in Springfield, Ohio, and acknowledged his call to the ministry in 1979. His trial sermon was entitled, “Stand Up For Jesus”, a theme he would carry with him throughout the rest of his life. He served the Ohio District Council and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in several capacities including President of the Southern Ohio District and Ohio District Council Youth Departments, where he was known for planning and overseeing dynamic meetings during his tenure. Many consider him as one of the greatest youth presidents in the history of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, as thousands would flock to his meetings from around the country. He also served as ODC Assistant Treasurer and as Youth Department Liaison of the Ohio District Council. At the national level, he served as the Director of Administration, Evangelism Director, Presidential Advisor, and Program Director of the International Pentecostal Youth Department of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. In 1987, he was chosen by District Elder Charles L. Reid to succeed him as pastor of Greater Christ Temple Pentecostal Church in Lima, Ohio, where he served faithfully for over 35 years.
Pastor Michael Cooper brought youth and a new vision and image to the church. Under his ministry and administration, much progress and growth was experienced, both natural and spiritual. In late 1989, a new roof was put on the church and a remodeling program began. In June of 1990, the church mortgage was paid off. In 1992, Elder Cooper was elevated to the office of District Elder by The Ohio District Council and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. He was further elevated in 2017 to the office of Suffragan Bishop. In 2020, he oversaw a $200,000 church renovation and remodeling project including 3 new roofs, new carpet in the sanctuary, and renovations of several classrooms, to name a few. His legacy will forever live on at Greater Christ Temple!
