CANDIDATE FOR

THE GENERAL BOARD

BISHOP LAWRENCE M. WOTTEN, SR.

Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten, Ph.D., DD., a native of Saint Louis, is an alumnus of Saint Louis University and served as an educator and administrator in the public school system for 30 years. Bishop Wooten was installed as the Pastor of Williams Temple Church of God in Christ in 1979 following the death of Bishop Columbus Williams. Bishop Wooten was saved at the age of 15 and has been a Faithful and committed servant in the Church of God In Christ for over 59 years. Standing by his side and in the gap for him is his much beloved wife, International Evangelist Shirley A. Wooten, who is recognized as an ultimate “God Chaser”, Soul Winner, Evangelist and Prayer Warrior. They are the parents of six (6) children and ten (10) grandchildren and (7) great grandchildren. The local ministry has thrived under the leadership of Bishop Wooten. At this time the Williams Temple complex is valued at over $5 million dollars. His local church contains over 50 ministries i.e., Drug Rehabilitation, Health and Nutrition Programs, Housing, Financial Management, Feed the Hungry, Adult Day Care, Family Life Center recreation complex, Family Life Center recreation complex, Family and Marital Counseling and more.

He has served as Chaplain of the 7th District Police Department and the Board of Directors for both the Father Support Group and the Billy Graham Crusade. He is the President of Ecumenical Leadership Council of Missouri; a member of the St. Louis Black Caucus and is involved in many community improvements projects within metropolitan St. Louis. This is demonstrated by his efforts to rehabilitate the property surrounding the intersection of Union and Dr. M.L. King Dr. in February, 2014, Bishop Wooten won a unanimous appointment to the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners.

In the year 2000, he was appointed as the Bishop of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Eastern Missouri/Western Illinois. Under the leadership of Bishop Wooten, both the local Church and the Jurisdiction have thrived. In 2005, he was appointed Regional Bishop, with the responsibility of providing oversight for five (5) other Ecclesiastical Prelates. In 2012, Bishop Wooten was elected as a member to the General Board (governing board) of the 6.5 million member Church of God In Christ and currently sits on the General Board COGIC. In 2021 Bishop Wooten was appointed by President Bishop J. Drew Sheard as the 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop, COGIC.

He has ministered internationally in Uganda East Africa, Trinidad/Tobago and the Virgin Islands. For years, Bishop Wooten has sponsored many orphans in East Africa. He and his wife adopted two beautiful orphans, as their youngest daughters, from Uganda and yet they continue to fully support other orphans and a village.

Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten is a visionary of great consequence. However, his greatest vision is for souls. Bishop Wooten is often heard to say, “it’s all about souls”.