Biography of the Founder

Bishop Raynard R. Sumpter, Sr. entered this world on, April 11, 1955, in St. Helena Island, SC. He was the son of the late Deacon Thomas and the late Mrs. Joanna “Josephine” Sumpter. He was a 1973 graduate of Beaufort High School. Bishop Sumpter received his diploma in Evangelism in 1982 from the Bethel Bible Institute in Jamaica, NY. He received a certificate for Active Participation and Outstanding Accomplishments in Evangelism, Growth, and Leadership from Fuller Normal Industrial Institute in Greenville, SC. In 1996, Bishop Sumpter received his Honorary Doctorate of Christian Ministry Degree from the C.E. Graham Baptist Bible Institute, in Columbia, SC.  Bishop Sumpter was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from New Life Theological Seminary and The Williams-Clemon-Davis Bible Institute of Orangeburg, SC on November 2005.

Bishop Sumpter accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at a young age and joined Holy Redeemer Apostolic Church in Beaufort, SC.  Having acknowledged his calling in 1975, Bishop Sumpter entered into the ministry and was ordained as an evangelist in 1976 until 1979 by the Holy Redeemer Apostolic Church, Inc. under the leadership of the late General Overseer Elder Edward Mack, Sr.

From 1979 until 1994, Bishop Sumpter was ordained as a minister of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas under the leadership of the late Bishop W. E. Fuller, Jr.  Bishop Sumpter was the pastor at the following churches: Mt. Zion F.B.H. Church, Mt. Vernon, NY; St. John F.B.H. Church, Bridgeport, CT; St. Stephen F.B.H. Church, Long Beach, Long Island, NY; Bethel F.B.H. Church, Spartanburg, SC and St. Peter F.B.H. Church, Greenville, SC.

Bishop Sumpter resigned as an ordained minister of the F. B. H. Church in November of 1994.  On January 1, 1995, New Year’s Day, the Lord blessed him to start the United Temple of Praise Church of the Church of God in Unity of Spartanburg, SC under the leadership of the late Dr. Annie Mae Allen of Burton, SC.  On June 30, 2002, Bishop Sumpter was consecrated to the esteemed office of Bishop for the United Temple of Praise Deliverance Churches, Incorporated where he served as the Presiding Prelate.  He served on the Board of Bishops and Prelates of Promised Land Ministries and was the Jurisdictional Bishop for the State of South Carolina of the Promised Land Ministries.

Bishop Sumpter married Lady Rosemary Shirley Sumpter on September 3, 1977 and became her protector, provider, lover, confidante and best friend.  She understood his commitment to ministry and supported him without reserve.  They were partners in ministry and in life.  Together they worked to build the kingdom of God and proved to be good stewards of God’s good grace and favor.  Not only was Bishop Sumpter a good husband and a great father; he was also a good friend.  All who knew him can attest to his loyalty, integrity and strong character.

On Wednesday, February 29, 2012, an all-wise and knowing God visited Spartanburg Regional Hospital and called his servant “Raynard” home to a well deserved rest.