BISHOP SAMUEL J. CARTER, D.D.

Bishop Samuel J. Carter was born in Clarksdale, MS, the fourth child to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Carter. Relocating with his family at an early age from Clarksdale, MS to Danville, IL, the Lord willed that he should meet, Cora Jeanette Hurt, and upon reaching the age of maturity, they were married on January 20, 1973.  Shortly after their marriage, the Lord sent a witness to Jeanette and began to deal with her on becoming saved.  She accepted the word of salvation, repented, was baptized in Jesus’s Name and the Lord blessed her to receive the gift the Holy Ghost.  After she got saved, she began to witness to her husband, Sam.  He received her witness, and likewise repented, was baptized, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost in December 1973.  Both received salvation under the pastorate of the late Bishop Curtis Turner at Antioch Temple in Danville, IL.

Bro. Carter faithfully served the Church and his pastor.  Shortly on becoming saved, he was called to the ministry.  He also worked as a bus driver, janitor, Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Auxiliary Leader, and National Youth Leader for the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ. Because of his faithfulness, the Lord blessed Min. Carter to be elevated and he was ordained to Elder in 1979.  On becoming an ordained Elder, he was appointed Assistant Pastor of Antioch Temple by his Pastor, Bishop Curtis Turner.  The Lord began to deal with his Pastor, Bishop Curtis Turner on beginning a work in Springfield, IL.  And after much prayer and consideration, a location on Ash Street was secured in Springfield and Elder Carter was appointed by Bishop Curtis Turner as Pastor of the Apostolic Church of Christ.  From 1979 through 1982, Elder Carter and his family traveled 2-3 times per week from Danville to Springfield for services.  In 1982, moving by faith, Elder Carter left his job at General Motors Corporation and an annual salary of $30,000.00 to move to Springfield, IL to pastor a Church having fewer than 10 members.  On the first opening meeting, the Lord blessed two  souls to be baptized and later filled with the Holy Ghost, confirming for Elder Carter that this was His will for his life.  The Church later rented 1422 S. Taylor Street where it remained for 8 years. As the Lord blessed the Church to outgrow that location, in July 1990 it purchased 1704 E. Cook Street in Springfield.  The Contract to Purchase was for a period of 10 years, but the Lord blessed and Elder Carter paid off the mortgage in 5 years. Feeling the Lord would do greater things for the Church, Pastor Carter changed the name of the Church to Greater Apostolic Church of Christ. Then in July 1998, the Lord blessed and the Church purchased 1300 E. Ash St., our present location, which is double the size and facilities of the prior location.

In 1992 Elder Carter was led of the Lord to return to the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ, the former parent organization of the Church.  In August 1993, the Lord blessed him with favor, and he was elevated to District Elder.  Through correspondence and attendance at the International Apostolic College of Grace and Truth in Dayton, OH, a Doctorate’s Degree was conferred upon him in 1995 and he graduated Magna Cum Laude as a Doctor of Divinity.  In August 1995 he was elevated by the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ from District Elder to Suffragan Bishop.  A year later in August 1996, he was ordained Bishop.

He currently serves as Pastor of the Greater Apostolic Church of Christ in Springfield, IL.  Diocesan Bishop of the Mountain States Council of the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ.  Council Chairman of  the Illinois/Indiana District Council of the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ.  Board Member of the Financial Review Committee of the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ.  A member of the Board of Bishops of the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ. National Bishop of the National Home Missions Auxiliary of the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ. Chairman of the Ordination Committee for the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ.  Parliamentarian of the Ministerial Alliance of Greater Springfield and Vicinity; he is a Senior Tax Advisor for H & R Block and was a  2001 Inductee in Who’s Who of Executive Professionals.

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