World Renowned Pentecostal Leader, Builder, College Founder – William L. Bonner Dies at 93
Columbia, SC (PRWEB) April 20, 2015 -- The honorable Chief Apostle William Lee Bonner, a spiritual leader and book author who built an international organization, landmark educational institutions and churches, and reached millions in his ministry, passed away Friday, April 3, 2015. Celebrations of his life will be held in Detroit, MI and New York, NY. Final viewing will take place at The Palace Cathedral in New York, NY on Friday, April 24, 2015. For more information, visit http://www.cooljc.org/?p=2891. Bonner spent countless hours in the ministry building a foundation to leave a legacy of the W.L. Bonner College (WLBC) in Columbia, SC. (http://ww.wlbc.edu)
Bonner served as Senior Prelate of the General Assembly of the Churches of Our Lord Jesus Christ (COOLJC) of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. Under his administration, the assembly has grown from one hundred fifty-five (155) churches in 1961 to over five hundred (500) churches and missions throughout the world. He has faithfully kept the charge of the founder Bishop Lawson, to "Add Thou to It". Apostle Robert L. Sanders currently presides over the organization and seeks to “equip every believer to become true Disciples of Christ.” Currently, there are established COOLJC churches in the United States, Liberia, West Africa, Barbados, Canada, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, England, Ghana, Haiti, India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Lee wood Islands, Sierra Leone, St. Croix, St. Kitts, Trinidad, and West Germany. (http://www.cooljc.org)
William Bonner established the W.L. Bonner College in1995 to prepare all students of all denominations and to perpetuate its educational and evangelistic ministries for generations to come. The College has educational opportunities for Bachelor, Associate, Certificate, and Continuing Education in Religious Studies and Christian Ministries. The ultimate goal of the College is to equip and empower students with Christian values that are reflected in the Holy Scriptures, prepare them for service to the Church and community through biblical instruction, ministry and vocational training, and generally educate them in the context of the Apostolic- Pentecostal tradition.
The college is the reality of a dream Bishop Bonner envisioned in 1945 and the college’s board of directors, along with the administrators plan to continue his legacy. “Bishop Bonner has equipped us with everything we need to carry out this work,” said Elaine McQueen, who serves as dean and interim president of WLBC. He was also a mentor and fervent trailblazer with a unique perspective. Dr. Melvin Bullock, Sr., alumnus of W.L. Bonner College says, “I will cherish the memories of him and experiences at the college that help build me as a spiritual leader.”
Bonner’s love for God and humankind was known by many. He impacted social, educational and spiritual institutions. Many have characterized Bishop Bonner as a godly man, a servant leader, a visionary, and a man of great faith, strength, and passion for the work of the Lord. “As beneficiaries of the legacy of William Bonner, we gratefully and prayerfully acknowledge the many blessings that God bestowed on his life, on his ministry, and on W.L. Bonner College,” says Dr. Celeste Ashe Johnson, chair of the College’s Board of Directors.
Chief Apostle Bonner and WLBC have served the needs of families, communities, and congregations, through diverse outreach programs. In this season as we celebrate his life, support William L. Bonner College and continue the legacy in sustaining the mission. Here’s the link to continue to support the vision of the WLBC. (https://www.wlbc.edu/product/donations-online )
For more information about WLBC, please visit http://www.wlbc.edu. For interviews, contact Judy Groover at 202.361.3939 or jgroover(at)sweetfinesse(dot)com.
Judy Groover, Sweet Finesse Entertainment, http://www.sweetfinesse.com, +1 (202) 361-3939, [email protected]
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