WHO WE ARE
OUR LEADERS
He was consecrated as Bishop at the COOLJC 92nd International Holy Convocation, July 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland, and installed as pastor of Refuge Temple Church of the Southern Regional Headquarters in Columbia on January 12, 2014 by his father in the gospel, the late Chief Apostle William Lee Bonner. During the 98th International Holy Convocation in July 2017, Bishop Reid was appointed Convention Manager by Apostle Dr. James I. Clark, Jr., Presiding Apostle of Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ. At the early age of 12, Bishop Reid accepted Christ as his personal savior. He began preaching at the age of 14 and has dedicated his life to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. For him, preaching is the essence of life. He believes in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and his motto embraces the ideals of repairing, restoring, and re-building the lives of men, women, and children everywhere. Bishop Reid has overcome enormous obstacles and credits God as his source for survival. Those obstacles have revealed to him the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. It is with this same love and compassion that he ministers to the body of Christ and has made it his quest to seek and to save those that are lost.
Bishop Sylvester K. Reid was born in South Carolina on September 27, 1957 but spent most of his formative years and adult life in New York. He was educated in the New York City educational system and attended City College where he majored in civil engineering. He is a life member of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (COOLJC) of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. and has served in numerous capacities. He previously served as chief of administrative staff of the COOLJC International Congress and assistant pastor of Greater Refuge Temple Church in New York
Bishop Sylvester k. Reid
Refuge Temple Columbia
Refuge Temple Rock Hill
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe in one Lord, one Faith, and one Baptism. Ephesians 4:5
We believe that the Holy Bible is the Word of God. It is true. It contains the keys to inheriting eternal life, and it reveals the mystery of our faith. John 5:39, Deuteronomy 29:29
We believe in the oneness of God, who was the Father in creation, the Son in redemption and today. He is the Holy Ghost in the Church. 1 Timothy 3:16
We believe that Jesus is God, for in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. We proclaim Lord Jesus Christ in the name of God that was given to this generation as the only Name whereby people of this Grace dispensation of time can be saved. Colossians 2:9; Acts 4:12
We accept God’s plan of salvation of baptism by water and spirit. Jesus Christ, who was our perfect example, though sinless, was baptized to fulfill righteousness John 3:4; Matthew 3:15.
We believe that water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is essential for forgiveness of sins, and confirms our belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 2:38; Acts 8:37
We believe that rebirth by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential today as it was in the days of the Apostles. Acts 2:4
We believe that the Word of God must be proclaimed throughout all the world, according to God’s commandment. Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Romans 10:18
Our Blessed Hope lies in Christ Jesus our Lord who has given us the victory over death and hell. Therefore, standing firm on His promise, we anticipate the second coming of Christ – that great day of resurrection which shall surely come. On that day, the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain will be changed, and caught up together with them in the air. And so shall we forever be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17