02/08/2023
💚💜♥️
THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST HONORS THE LEGACY OF BISHOP SAMUEL L. GREEN, JR.
Proverbs 13:22 tells us that "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children." For today’s , the Church Of God In Christ pauses to remember the blueprint of a "good man" in the person of BISHOP SAMUEL LEE GREEN, JR.
There aren't enough words one could use to articulate the life of service and servanthood as exemplified by this iconic man of faith, family and foresight. He was a builder of men, a visionary before his time, and one worthy of "double honor" in every aspect of his life. Bishop Green was a formidable leader, mentor, and hero, whose thumbprint shall forever be embedded in the DNA of the Church Of God In Christ.
Bishop Green was born in Norfolk on March 19, 1927, to Deacon Samuel L, Green, Sr. and Mrs. Leosia P. Green. He lived in public housing growing up and he was a running back at Booker T. Washington High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in biblical studies and a Master of Divinity degree from Norfolk Theological Seminary and College.
In 1960, Green was appointed pastor of St. Johns Church Of God In Christ and remained the pastor for 55 years. He took on a congregation of about 33 people. Over the years, it grew to more than 1,500. In addition, he served on the denomination's General Board (Presidium) for 26 years.
Bishop Green, who was also appointed to the office of jurisdictional prelate for the Church of God in Christ's Second Jurisdiction, State of Virginia, in 1971, played an active role in local religious, community, educational and business life, and helped expand the outreach of his ministry through television broadcasts. Under his 41 years of leadership the jurisdiction grew to 72 churches from 52.
Bishop Green’s humble beginnings made him sympathetic to the needy in the community, hosting events such as dinners for the hungry and opening up a learning facility with a computer lab in a program called “Power Up” that received federal funding. He also used the power of the airwaves to spread the message of his faith, becoming the first African-American in the U.S. to own a religious television station, WJCB TV 49. It was the predecessor of what became PAX-TV. Bishop Green also hosted the program "Faith For Living Richer Life Ministries Inc., “which aired nationally.
Bishop Green also worked with local politicians, from former Gov. Douglas Wilder to Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, D-Newport News, and Hampton Mayor George Wallace. Education was an important part of Bishop Green's work as well, securing more than $1 million in scholarship money for students who were members of the Church of God in Christ studying law and divinity at Regent University, which established an endowed scholarship named after him.
In the 1980s, Bishop owned a print shop and a restaurant called Workman's Delight, or WD's for short, with his mother serving as chief cook at the restaurant in Newport News' Southeast Community.
Green was married to the late Vivian Frazier Green for 60 years, and together they had nine children: Supervisor Jacquelin G. Holmes, Apostle Norvice G. Sellers (deceased), Bishop Dwight L., Pastor Samuel L. III, Missionary Nathalie G. Neal, Missionary Naomi E. Ward, Missionary Deborah E. Golden, Bishop Phillip X. and Superintendent Michael D. Green (deceased), as well as 29 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Following the demise of Mother Vivian Green, Bishop Green remarried Lady Lue Jinnie Green (deceased).
Bishop Samuel Lee Green, Jr. will indeed live immortal, not only in his messages of faith, hope and redemption, nor the many programs and initiatives he birthed as a faith-based and community leader; but rather through the sons and daughters, both natural and spiritual, who will embrace and carry his spirit of excellence and servanthood in ministry forward. The Church Of God In Christ is better because we were blessed to have Bishop Green walk, talk, and lead among us. To God be the glory for a life well lived as unto God.
