Pastor Gary Bishop
Who is this servant of the Lord called Gary L. Bishop. He is a man of truth, integrity, and honor. One might ask another question; How would a person know that these attributes are true. Pastor Gary L. Bishop was initially tutored in the things of God by his parents, Frank and Magnolia Bishop. They taught the whole family the principles of God and the art of loving each other unconditionally. The youngest of six brothers and two sisters, Pastor Gary L. Bishop discovered God at an early age as a result of the Word of God that became first and foremost in their home. His parents embedded Proverbs 22:6 to him and his siblings, stating, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
From his first breath in May of 1960 to his membership at the Flower Mount Baptist Church, Monroe, La., to his attendance at Carroll High School in Louisiana, he grew in the stature of the Lord. As time accelerated, his destiny led him to enlist in the United States Navy where he received numerous achievement medals that included Two (2) Navy Accommodation Medals, Five (5) Navy Achievement Medals, Three (3) Foreign Service Medals, and Five (5) Good Conduct Medals. However, as appreciative as he was for these accolades, it was the tugging of his spirit from the Lord and the faithful prayers of his Mother that caused him to understand that his purpose and destiny would be revealed beyond his military service; and after twenty-four years, he retired in October 2002.
After his retirement, he moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to reunite in fellowship with his two sisters, Pastor Dianne Bell of the “Inspiring Word Ministry,” who pastors alongside her husband, Apostle Willie Bell, and Pastor Sherilyn Benjamin who pastors with her husband, Bishop Gregory Benjamin of “Greater Love Baptist Church.” As a member of Inspiring Word Ministry, Pastor Bishop served as a ‘Deacon,’ Sound Operator, and a ‘Choir Director.’ As fate would have it, ‘Inspiring Word’ was the vehicle that brought him the ‘Love of His Life,’ his queen, Mrs. Lola Bishop whom he married on February 18. And now after nineteen years, they continue in the Lord’s Will.
In 2008 he heard the voice of God through the Holy Spirit instructing him to unite with Restoration Community Church. His mandate from God was to ‘Watch,’ ‘Study,’ ‘Learn,’ ‘Listen,’ and to do accordingly. As a result of this mandate, he acknowledged the ‘Call of God’ to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as a member of Restoration Community Church. Pastor Bishop has been faithful to do whatever has been asked of him by the leadership. For example, he not only has been faithful in the Audio/Visual/Sound Booth Ministry, but he’s also served as the ’Men’s Leader’ of Restoration Community Church. He served under the leadership of Apostle Robert D. Taylor and Pastor Stella L. Taylor. He was licensed in May of 2022 and Ordained / Installed as Pastor Restoration Community Church on January 14, 2024.
He is humbled by God’s love and favor in selecting him to feed and lead HIS sheep. He reflects on the Gospel of John 21:15-17 (KJV) which declares, “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He said unto him, feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, feed my sheep. He said unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said unto him feed my sheep.”
So, who is this servant of the Lord called Gary L. Bishop?—He Is Faithful, Trustworthy, And A Man of Valor.