Bishop GE Patterson The Word of God Is Powerful

Patterson was born to Bishop William Archie 'W. A.' (1898–1991) and Mary Louise Williams Patterson (1901–1981) in the parsonage next door to the Church of God in Christ in Humboldt, Tennessee and was the youngest of six children. Growing up on Orleans street in the Lauderdale Sub neighborhood of Memphis, he was saved at 11 years old at a revival held in Holy Temple COGIC. Holy Temple COGIC was founded by his father. Later he moved with his family to Detroit, where his father pastored a second church New Jerusalem COGIC. At the age of 16, he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and answered his call to ministry in 1956 while he was only 16 years old at New Jerusalem.

Bishop J. S. Bailey ordained him in 1958 as an elder in the Church of God in Christ. In 1962, Patterson became co-pastor with his father at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Memphis. Patterson continued his pastorate in 1975 as the founder and pastor of Temple of Deliverance, the Cathedral of the Bountiful Blessings near downtown.