“Both our lead Pastor Michael Todd and our founding leader, Bishop Gary McIntosh, had the privilege of serving at Higher Dimensions for years under Bishop Carlton D. Pearson’s leadership,” the church stated. “The loss of Bishop Carlton D. Pearson deeply saddens us. His cherished daughter is a devoted member of our church, and in this time of grief, we aim to extend our support and comfort to their family. Recognizing the decades of profound influence Bishop Pearson has had within the body of Christ; we anticipate the gathering of thousands at his memorial services from November 29th to December 1st, 2023.”
A variety of the services planned for the late Bishop Carlton Pearson in Tulsa, Okla. (Courtesy image)
For her part, Flunder told RNS she has decided to forgo appearing at any services for her friend and colleague in Tulsa, though she was invited to eulogize him at an interfaith service set for Thursday at All Souls Unitarian Church. Pearson was an affiliate minister who preached regularly there.
Instead, she, Reid and others are planning a large event on Dec. 18 at Gas South Arena in the Atlanta suburb of Duluth. The website for the “Azusa Life Celebration Honoring Bishop Carlton Pearson” includes registration pages for choir participants, VIPs and general admission. Flunder confirmed she is contributing $10,000 to what Reid described as a “six-figure” event.
Reid, an online commentator and minister, in a lengthier video, agreed with Flunder about Pearson’s wishes, which he said the minister and musician asked him to record.
“It’s like he knew that there would be an issue with celebrating him between the two bodies of people that loved him,” Reid said in a YouTube video posted on Monday. “And from his bed of transition, he created a plan and now we are carrying it out.”
A second and sooner Atlanta-area service for Pearson has been announced on the website of Spirit & Truth Sanctuary, where D.E. Paulk is the senior pastor.
In Tulsa, the services also include a gospel-music-centered concert hosted by Greater Grace Temple, a predominantly Black congregation, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Its pastor, Donald O’Neil Tyler, said he expects additional services could take place in honor of his friend, who was known for leading Azusa annual conferences that drew thousands to Oral Roberts University and helping musicians and ministers gain fame there.
“He’s just a worldwide pastor, evangelist, minister,” said Tyler. “People loved him everywhere he went. His ministry grew and grew and grew, even when his doctrine transferred.”
