I am Elder Eddie B Pruitte, Jr, founder and pastor of Holiness Tabernacle COGIC in Woodbridge, Virginia, and I prayerfully seek your support for Jurisdictional Bishop of the Historic First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia of the Church Of God In Christ.

 

You may ask why I am running for Jurisdictional Bishop. I believe the Lord has anointed me to continue Bishop Ted G. Thomas’ legacy and bridge the generations that serve in this Jurisdiction. Specifically, I will lead with a God-given vision to:

1.     Re-establish the old landmarks
2.     Re-structure our financial strategy
3.     Re-emphasize teaching and instruction
4.     Re-engage the youth and young adults

 

Re-Establish the Old Landmarks

Worker’s Meeting and Holy Convocation

My vision to reformat the two largest meetings of the Jurisdiction are intended to (1) lighten the financial load on the parishioners; (2) increase engagement and attendance of the meetings; and (3) include the participation of young adults. Specifically, we would hold the services in three separate locations for the first 3-4 days of the meeting, thereby accomplishing the following:

• The saints would save money on hotel costs, and back and forth travel.
• Those with service industry jobs may not have the same flexibility as others. Reformatting the meetings would give more people the opportunity to participate in the services and program, and attend the first several days of the meetings. Additionally, the saints would not be forced to leave services early (due to work the following morning), and more could attend the day services.
• On the meeting’s Thursday night service, the saints would gather at the centralized location to worship together.
• This approach would result in significantly greater attendance in the meetings, enhance the spiritual outpour of our services, and increase the finances.

The City of Richmond

My vision to reestablish the work in the City of Richmond is born out of a need and obligation to our predecessors and the next generation. 

• I believe we owe a debt to the many saints who labored before us to acquire that property. Virginia One must maintain a presence in the City of Richmond.
• Annually, we pay thousands of dollars to meet hotel obligations–a tremendous financial burden. But even more so, we lose the sanctity of worshipping together in the house of the Lord.
• Reestablishing the work in Richmond would be an effort to rally the saints.

District Meetings

My vision to revitalize the districts would include me attending each general district meeting. However, I would not take any nights from the district workers. I would attend the Friday evening service and request all other superintendents meet me on those nights. I believe this would accomplish several things:

• It would refocus the general district meetings completely on the district workers.
• It would also elevate the office of the District Superintendent in the eyes of the people.
• Finally, I believe it would enhance the fellowship and camaraderie among the superintendents.

 

Re-Structure Our Financial Strategy

Lighten the Financial Load

My vision concerning the financial strategy of our Jurisdiction recognizes that while giving is important, as the apostle Paul said, there is a more excellent way.

• It is my sincere belief that every pastor should be allowed to tithe to his local church.
• Many young churches can identify with having services in a recreation center, school gymnasium or store front; the financial weight can be a heavy load for a young pastor.
• It would be a powerful and uplifting opportunity for pastors to have the option of tithing to their local church. In addition, doing so would result in greater adherence to giving reports, and overall support of the Jurisdiction. 

Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Sr. Scholarship Fund

My vision requires boldness and courage to break from the norm for the advancement of the Church. As Jurisdictional Bishop, I should not be afraid to make that bold move to reinvest in our children, our youth and our future.

• As Jurisdictional Bishop, I would no longer accept an Official Day offering for the Workers’ Meeting or the Holy Convocation.
• Finances received on the Official Days of the Worker’s Meeting and Holy Convocation would be designated for a new initiative, The Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Sr. Scholarship Fund.
• Bishop Thomas was not only educated, but he was an educator. He sowed much into the lives of young people and I do not ever want his name, legacy, or commitment to die. 

Financial Transparency

My vision is to bring a higher level of transparency and effectiveness of our financials so that our Jurisdiction may thrive.

• We would adopt practices similar to those I have implemented at Holiness Tabernacle, including introducing monthly financial statements.
• Experience reveals that the saints are more apt to support an effort if they know where the money is going and they know those who handle the finances are accountable.

 

Re-Emphasize Teaching and Instruction

C.H. Mason Bible Institute

My vision is to bring uniformity to C.H. Mason Bible classes throughout the Jurisdiction. 

• We would standardize curriculum, materials and training resources so that what is taught in one district is similar to what is taught in another district.
• This approach will encourage the exchange of ideas and teaching methodologies. 

Fourth Saturday Leadership Meetings

My vision is to remain committed to teaching and training – not only the Word of the Lord, but also the doctrines and traditions of our Church.

• We would rotate the fourth Saturday Leadership Meeting throughout all of the districts.
• I would partner with leadership to develop resources to assist in training our laity, missionaries, mothers, deacons, ministers and elders.
• In this way, our leaders will be better equipped to be effective ministers of the gospel and workers in the kingdom.

 

Re-Engage the Youth and Young Adults

My vision is to advocate for, embrace, and invest in young adults, placing them in positions of leadership and influence. At Holiness Tabernacle, several of our ministries are led by young adults and they have been a blessing and integral voice at the table. I would bring this same spirit and vision to our Jurisdiction.

• It is critical that we reach, secure, train and prepare our youth and young adults to continue this great Church, investing in them spiritually and emotionally.
• We must give youth and young adults opportunity to develop their skills and abilities within the auxiliaries of our Church and a platform to fellowship in a godly setting while providing the opportunity to express themselves amongst their peers.
• We can place young people in positions of influence and leadership without compromising the foundational teachings of the Church. 

 

About Pastor Eddie B Pruitte, Jr.

Eddie B Pruitte, Jr. is the pastor and founder of Holiness Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ, located on the front doorstep of Prince William County in Woodbridge, Virginia. Having served as pastor for 22 years, the church has enjoyed tremendous growth from its early start in the Pruitte family room to its current location on the corner of Occoquan and Old Bridge Roads. Under his teaching of true holiness, souls have been saved, healed and filled with the Spirit of God–and the Lord has added many to this thriving congregation.

Born in Aurora, Illinois to Deacon Eddie B Pruitte, Sr. and the late Missionary Annie Louise Pruitte, “Little Eddie B” was reared in Mount Olive Church Of God In Christ under the leadership of Bishop William H. Bonner. Little Eddie B was active in that church until the Lord impressed upon his father to begin a work—Mount Victory Church Of God In Christ in Batavia, Illinois.

Young Brother Pruitte served faithfully with his father as choir director, youth pastor, finance committee member and most notably, Sunday school superintendent at the young age of 14. As superintendent, Brother Pruitte started a Bible memorization program that was soon adopted by the New Fellowship District and subsequently the State Sunday School Department of the Sixth Jurisdiction of Illinois. Brother Pruitte received the baptism in the Holy Ghost in September 1983, accepted his call to ministry in 1984 and was ordained by Bishop Bonner in January 1988 in Chicago, Illinois.

After graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Master’s degree in Public Administration, Elder Pruitte and his young family relocated to the Washington D.C. metropolitan region where he served at Gethsemane Church Of God In Christ in Alexandria, Virginia under the leadership of Supt. Lloyd C. Coles, Jr.

In 1998, the Lord called upon Elder Pruitte to start a work in the Dale City and Woodbridge community. Along with his wife and daughters, the first service at Holiness Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ was held in their family room. Throughout the years, the Lord has honored His Word and has tremendously blessed Pastor Pruitte’s labor.  Spirit-led services, great singing, powerful testimonies of victory and an anointed Word from God are what you’ll find at this multi-ethnic church. In addition, the Lord directed Pastor Pruitte to establish a separate 501(c)(3) known as Reaching Everyone at Any Cost for Hope (REACH) for our many outreach efforts within the community.

In June 2009, Holiness Tabernacle held its first service at 1440 Old Bridge Road, a worship center that seats over 150 people and includes offices, classrooms, an administrative room and multi-purpose facility. As the congregation continues to expand, Holiness Tabernacle has outgrown its current location–providing another opportunity for the Lord to bless this favored ministry.

At the State level, Pastor Pruitte serves faithfully in the Historic First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia under the leadership of General Board Member Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Sr. Noting his loyalty to the ministry, Bishop Thomas appointed Pastor Pruitte as Assistant Superintendent of the Great Northern District, Chairman of the Virginia One Centennial Celebration, Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee, Co-Chair of the Program Committee, Chaplain of the Convocation Shut-In, and member of Bishop Thomas’ General Board Campaign Committee. Pastor Pruitte reformatted the Good Shepherd’s Night service and as pastor of Holiness Tabernacle, has been a major financial contributor within the Jurisdiction. Pastor Pruitte is an insightful teacher and has developed curriculum for the C.H. Mason Bible Institute that is widely used and adopted throughout the Jurisdiction.

From his proven track-record as one willing to help undergird the work of the Lord and the vision of his leaders, Pastor Pruitte was appointed a member of Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake’s Community Development Board in 2013. That same year, Pastor Pruitte also was appointed to the Manual Review Committee in the National General Assembly.

Pastor Pruitte has been married for over 30 years to the beautiful and anointed woman of God, Evangelist Missionary Vivian Valdez Pruitte. To their union, the Lord has blessed them with four daughters, two sons-in-law and five grandchildren.