CHURCH OF GOD
CHRONICLE
S
On the Battlefield for the Lord
Bishop James and Evelyn Gooden
by David G. Roebuck
and a supervisory post with the Fort Laud- ed like much of America. At the request of
erdale News/Sun Sentinel. But James Good- black ministers, the 17th General Assembly
I
N THE CRUCIBLE of battle, James en did not fail to keep his battlefield com- in 1922 appointed an overseer over all
Gooden made a lifelong commitment. mitment to the Lord. Brother and Sister black churches in the United States. The
Bishop Gooden was born in 1923 in Gooden joined what is now the Fifth “Church of God (Colored Work),” as it
Lee County, South Carolina. Like most Avenue Church of God Temple in Fort became known, credentialed ministers,
men of his generation, he was called Lauderdale, Florida. James served the con- planted churches, and held an annual
upon to serve in the armed forces. gregation as deacon, president of the Assembly in Jacksonville, Florida. By 1966
Already married to Evelyn Smith and the Young People’s Endeavor, president of the General Assembly agreed that racial
father of one child, the young Gooden the Ushers Board, member of the Board segregation was incompatible with human
left for England in 1943. He later served of Trustees, and eventually pastor. rights and integrated black ministries into
with distinction in France, where he the general ministries of the church. At the
received Good Conduct Medals, a Sharp same time, Church of God leadership hon-
Shooter Medal, and three Battle Stars. ored the request of black ministers to
Not long after his arrival in England, appoint a black overseer for black congrega-
an incoming German robot bomb forced tions in Florida.
the American troops to take cover. Finding Throughout their ministries Bishop
the closest foxhole already full, Gooden and Mrs. Gooden have been models of
promised that if he lived to return home, community and denominational leader-
he would serve God for the rest of his life. ship. Mrs. Gooden was inducted into the
Employment following the war in- Broward County Hall of Fame for her
cluded construction work, repair service ministry to the sick, hungry, and home-
for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, less. Bishop Gooden was elected to the
black National Council of Twelve, and is
now in his 41st year of service on the
Florida State Council. He has served on
The Church of God credentialed James numerous state boards including the edu-
as a licensed minster, with ordination as a cation board and the ministerial examin-
bishop following in 1962. He served as a ing board. Most recently, he cochaired the
pastor for over 45 years. Evelyn was Florida State Historical Commission, col-
licensed as an evangelist (now ordained lecting documentation needed to preserve
licensed minister). She not only faithfully the heritage of the Church of God in
supported his ministry but also served as Florida. Bishop and Mrs. Gooden continue
an evangelist, conference speaker, and to keep that battlefield promise.
member of the state Women’s Ministries
Board. During her ministry the churches
David G. Roebuck serves as
in Florida honored her as “Evangelist of
director of the Church of God
the Year” and “Mother of the Year.”
Pentecostal Research Center in
When Bishop Gooden first entered the
Cleveland, Tennessee.
ministry, the Church of God was segregat-
10 EVANGEL • FEB 2009
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