Bishop Alton E. Gatlin is a visionary with a desire to see the people of the Lord “prosper and be in health, as their souls prosper!” Receiving his formal training from Mississippi Valley State University and the University of Southwestern Louisiana he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He holds a Master of Divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
God has favored the labor and ministry of Bishop Alton E. Gatlin promoting him to the leadership of the Trinidad & Tobago Jurisdiction. Bishop Gatlin is International Superintendent (President) of the Sunday School Department of the Church of God in Christ. He is spreading his love for learning, training and growth through the work of the Sunday School Ministry.
He is the Pastor of the First Church of God in Christ, Crowley, LA. He continues to serve faithfully with the Louisiana First Jurisdiction under the capable leadership of Bishop Roy L. H. Winbush. He is the District Superintendent of the Crowley District and Jurisdictional Dean of the United State Auxiliaries Convention and President of the Department of Education. He is a motivational speaker conducting seminars, workshops and meetings on a national and international level. He is currently the President of the Louisiana chapters of the C. H. Mason Bible College. He has a sincere passion for cultivating ministries and Church Growth. His apostolic ministry has established churches in Iota, Mermentau, Ville Platte, Lake Arthur and Church Point, Louisiana. His love for young people prompted the organization of the ‘Love Alive’ Campus Ministry, comprised of nine universities in Louisiana.
In addition to his ministerial duty, Bishop Gatlin is a great supporter of family and community. He is married to Supervisor Vanessa Winbush Gatlin. They have two sons, one daughter by marriage, two beautiful granddaughters and one grandson.
Without fear, without favor, and without compromise, Bishop Gatlin is dedicated to the work of the ministry, the upbuilding of the kingdom, the edifying of the body of Christ!
Currently the pastor of GETHSEMANE Church of God in Christ in Lafayette, La. This is Bishop Gatlin’s home church since his days as a University student. The church owns the Gethsemane Christian Academy, LaPetite Preschool Center, Community Center, and many other community based businesses.
Bishop Gatlin and Supervisor Gatlin founded PRESTIGE DEVELOPMENT LLC , building homes and businesses across Louisiana. Unity Village, LLC is another holding company for land acquisition and subdivision development.