We Will Remember Bishop Samuel L. Green, Jr., Dies at 89

Bishop Samuel L. Green, Jr. was born in Norfolk, Virginia on March 19, 1927 to the late Deacon Samuel L. Green, Sr. and the late Mrs. Leosia P. Green. He resides in Hampton, Virginia and was marred to the late Mrs. Vivian Frazier Green for 60 years, and to their union were born nine children; Jacquelin G. Holmes, Norvice G. Sellers, Dwight L, Samuel L. III, Nathalie G. Neal, Naomi E. Ward, Deborah E. Golden, Phillip X., and Michael D. Bishop Green is presently married to the Mrs. LueJinnie Flemming Green. Bishop is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and attended Norfolk State and Old Dominion Universities. In 1960, Bishop Green was appointed to his pastorate, St. Johns Church of God in Christ in Newport News, Virginia. In 1971, Bishop was appointed by the General Board Presidium of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. to the office of Jurisdictional Prelate for the Second Jurisdiction, State of Virginia. He was named successor to his mentor and father in gospel, the late Bishop D. Lawrence Williams. In 1973, he received a Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree from Trinity Hall College and Seminary. In 1984, Bishop was elected as a member of the General Board Presidium, Church of God in Christ, Inc. In 1995, he received from the Norfolk Seminary and college the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and in 2000, the degree of Master of Divinity with all the honors, rights and privileges appertaining thereto. His works include:

Pastor of the St. Johns Church of God in Christ for 52 years - Newport News, Virginia
Prelate, Church of God in Christ, Second Jurisdiction Virginia, 41 years
Member of the General Board (Presidium) Church of God in Christ, Inc., 26 years
Founder of Faith For Living Richer Life Ministries
Owner of an Assisted Living Facility (FFL Richer Life Care, Inc.) Newport News, Virginia
First African American COGIC Bishop to have secured over a million dollars in scholarships for Students of COGIC in the fields of Law and Divinity at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. Bishop Green had the distinct honor to have an endowed Chair (The Samuel L. Green endowed chair in Doctoral Ministry) to be named in his honor.

Past Positions: Church of God in Christ Commissioner of Communication providing the first Video and Audio services for its National Conferences and delegates, Elected to serve in 1976 on the National Board of Trustees, COGIC, Inc., Executive Board Member of the North America Conference for Itinerant Evangelist, Executive Board Member of the Virginia Middle East Commission; Member of the Steering Committee for the North American Congress on the Holy Spirit and World Evangelism; President of Black National Religious Broadcasters; Appointed by former Governor of Virginia Charles Robb, to the board of Visitors of Norfolk State University, Member of Board of Trustees, Newport News General Hospital; Member of the Steering Committee, Billy Graham Crusade 1986. Pioneer and Chairman of the first Religious African American owned religious television station in America, WJCB TV-49. Honors and Awards: Received the distinguished Service Award National Religious Broadcasters; Certificate of Award from the clergy Economic Education Foundation; Kent, Ohio; Certificate of Appreciation Virginia School at Hampton; Appreciation Ward Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project C.A.P.; Appreciation Plaque, Norfolk State University; Received the MACE from the City of Norfolk, Virginia; Receive the Gold Key to the city of Roanoke, Virginia.

Presiding Bishop Charles Edward Blake Sr. Preaches powerful eulogy of Church of God In Christ General Board Member Emeritus, Samuel Lee Green Jr. at the National Homegoing Celebration on 7/1/2016

Supt. Nathaniel Green speak on behalf of the grandchildren of Church of God in Christ General Board Member Emeritus, Samuel Lee Green Jr at the local/jurisdictional home-going celebration on 6/30/2016

Bishop Green “He transcended denomination, gender and ethnicity to get the work of God done,” said Golden, pastor of Greater Immanuel Temple Church of God in Christ in Hampton. “He was a person who people from all walks of life could look to.”

Green was the father or grandfather that many young men never had, Golden said. He established community programs in Newport News to help people who were in need of food or finances. He worked with local and state politicians on social programs.

“He was a compassionate individual, always concerned for those who were forgotten, disenfranchised,”

Green owned a locally based religious TV station, WJCB-TV.

Channel 49’s call letters stood for Worship Jesus Christ Broadcasters. It was the predecessor of what became PAX-TV.

He owned a restaurant and developed homes for parishioners. He also opened a community center.

“His impact in the East End will never be forgotten,”

Green secured more than $1 million dollars in scholarships for Church of God In Christ students in the fields of law and divinity at Regent University, according to the release.

In 2011, an endowed scholarship named for Green was created at Regent for a Church of God In Christ student pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree in the School of Divinity, according to the school’s website.

Green was appointed a pastor at St. Johns Church in 1960. He also served as Jurisdictional Prelate for the Second Jurisdiction in Virginia for more than 41 years. Under his leadership, the family says, the jurisdiction grew to 72 churches from 52.

Green was a member of the General Board (Presidium) of the Church of God in Christ for 26 years and founded Faith For Living Richer Life Ministries.

He was married to the late Vivian Frazier Green for more than 60 years and the couple had nine children, according to the release. Golden said four of Green’s sons grew up to be ministers, as did several grandsons.

Green also leaves behind his wife, Lady LueJinnie Green, according to his obituary.

He was surrounded by family in his Hampton home when he died.