08/03/2021
It is with a very heavy heart that I write this, but the underlining is that God gets the glory! So, with that said, we are mourning, along with all of the family and friends, the passing of Bishop Curtis Shelton. He passed from this life earlier this morning. He has gone on to be with the Lord! Praise God!
My family and I loved him. The local Church here loved him. He loved our family, and he loved the local Church body here at the Unity COGOP! Those two things I am assured of. Even greater still, he loves Jesus! He preached Christ and Him crucified, and he loved the Church that Jesus set in order while walking the face of the earth. He and Sis. Sarah Shelton pastored for over 50 years in the Church of God of Prophecy.
Two things I’ll share quickly about Bishop C. Shelton. One day while visiting with him when he was a patient in the hospital, he said this to me: “you’re my pastor and I love you and support you all the way.” Those were some of the greatest words ever spoken to me by anyone during my nearly 23 years in ministry. One reason being, I was the first pastor he had in over 50 years, and once he retired he stayed on here as a (faithful) member. Never did he do anything but pray for, support, and love on my family and I. The second and final thing I’d like to share, is Brother Shelton embraced me as an equal. That is a rare thing in ministry. He never treated me as if I was less than, and he greater than. Although, I had and still do have the utmost respect for him, and I am so thankful that he counted me as a Brother in Christ, as a colleague in the Lord’s work, and as his under-shepherd.
This was a remarkable man who believed in the Bible, it’s doctrine, and never shied away from the Truth! There is something to be said for any man like that in the day and time we live in. Thank you for being a terrific example of what a faithful and loving minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ ought to be, Bishop Shelton! Enjoy Heaven and spending time with the Savior! I love you and I hope to make it to where you are. Amen!
- Bp. Jeremy Lincoln
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
🙏🏽🕊😞