Bishop Dr. Walter G. Francis, Jr. Funeral Program

BI S HOP DR . WA LT E R G . F R A NC I S , J R .April 16, 1938 - February 4, 2013

Honoring the Life & Legacy of

Wake: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 6pmFuneral Service: Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 10am

at Christian Pentecostal Church971 Clinton Avenue, Irvington, New Jersey 07111

Rt. Hon. Bishop Dr. Courton Reid, Officiating

Honoring the Life & Legacy

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant" – Matt. 25:21


Final Viewing

Processional

Musical Interlude

Sealing of the Bier

Opening Hymn ........................................................ "Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It"

Prayer of Comfort

Old Testament Scripture – Proverbs 4:1-13 .........................................Chilly Leroy Francis

New Testament Scripture – 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 ..................................... Alaycia Francis

Ministry of Music ............................................Faith Gospel Tabernacle Celebration Choir

Expressions (2 minutes, respectfully)

Ministry of Music

Recognition of Proclamations, Resolutions, & Statements

Reading of the Obituary: "If That Isn't Love" ............................... Minister Heather Francis

Ministry of Music

Clergy Remarks

Ministry of Music .................Minister Heather Francis, Julia Hutchinson & Crystal DaSilva

The Eulogy ........................................................................... Bishop Dr. Herbert N. Scott

Recessional

A CelebrationFriday, February 15, 2013

Lifeof


Bishop Dr. Walter G. Francis, Jr.


Processional

Musical Interlude

Opening Hymn ........................................................................ "Great Is Thy Faithfulness"

Prayer of Comfort

Old Testament Scripture – Isaiah 25:1-8 .................................................... Monica Purville

New Testament Scripture – Romans 8:28-39 .................................................Sharon Gordon

Ministry of Music ............................................Faith Gospel Tabernacle Celebration Choir

Expressions (2 minutes, respectfully)

Ministry of Music ................................................................................... Osmond Collins

Recognition of Proclamations, Resolutions, & Statements

Reading of the Obituary: "If That Isn't Love"

Ministry of Music .................................................................Elder Mark Edwards & Family

Clergy Remarks

Ministry of Music .................Minister Heather Francis, Julia Hutchinson & Crystal DaSilva

The Eulogy ........................................................................... Bishop Dr. Herbert N. Scott

Recessional

Saturday, February 16, 2013

U PALLBEARERS U

Kevin Pryce

Mark Gordon

Rohan Williams

Richard Wilson

Anthony White

Geoffrey O'brian

U HONORARY PALLBEARERS U

Kevin Pryce

Deacon Patrick Burrell

Deacon Clive Traille

Deacon Derrick Wright

Clarence Robinson

Joseph Wynter



Bishop Dr. Walter G. Francis, Jr. peacefully entered into eternal rest on Monday, February 4, 2013. He served as the Pastor and Bishop of Faith Gospel Tab-

ernacle in New Jersey for over 38 years. The ministry has grown and expanded to include branches in Mount Ver-non, NY as well as Bridgeport and Hartford, Connecticut. Bishop Francis was born to Walter George Francis and Dalseda Mitchell in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica on April 16, 1938. After migrating to England to pursue a better life, he began to pray and fast for a wife. God revealed to him in a dream that his wife would be the woman he met and fell in love with when he was a teenager – Naomi. Wal-ter later wrote a letter to Naomi. All he needed was one page to express the love and affection he had for her. To this day Naomi recalls the words written with-in that letter: “If you are free, single and disengaged, will you marry me?” Without hesitation, Naomi followed her heart, picked up her plane ticket, and moved to England. Soon after, the couple gave birth to their son, Leroy, and then their daughter, Heather. Ac-cording to Naomi, Walter was ‘the do-nor of her rib’, always going above and beyond for his ‘queen’. Their love was one with no end and she was happy to have married ‘the man of her dreams’. Bishop Francis was not only a devoted husband, but also a honorable father. His children looked up to him as a man with great morals, strong work ethics and a willingness to sacrifice. He was a man who nursed his grandchildren in the middle of the when his daughter was injured and unable to do so herself. Walter loved his children like any great father would. When they were hurt, he was hurt. He interceded on their behalf and believed that they would overcome any ob-stacle that came their way. Walter had faith in his children.

Bishop Francis accomplished every goal he set for himself with class and humility. After overseeing Calvary Evangelistic Church in both Yonkers, NY and Newark, NJ under the leadership of Dr. Barnes, he was obedient to the Holy Spirit, which led to the birth of Faith Gospel Tabernacle. The ministry was established

within the Francis’ home holding ser-vices with their children in their living room. Soon after, their congregation expanded and resulted in the need for a larger facility. Bishop Francis along with the members acquired a building at 35 Augusta Street in Ir-vington, NJ. This was only the begin-ning of an extraordinary journey. The process was long and he faced many disappointments, but he continued to exercise his faith in God. After dil-igently seeking, praying and fasting with his congregation, they were able to obtain and purchase 70 Mill Road in Irvington, NJ on June 29, 1998. Bishop Francis earned a degree in reli-gious studies from Calvary Bible In-stitute in New York, and later attend-ed Regional Seminary in New Jersey. He obtained a Bachelors degree in Religious Education and a Masters degree in Theology from Lighthouse Christian College, Arkansas. In addi-tion, he received his honorary Doc-

torate degree from Christ Theological Seminary. In recent years, Bishop Francis became a member of the International Council of Charismatic Independent Bishops. The legacy of his ministry was to win souls for the Kingdom through salvation in Christ, and to be a beacon of hope and restoration in the community. He leaves behind his beloved wife Naomi of 50 years, one son Leroy; two daughters Heather and Sharon; ten grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his beloved sisters; nieces; nephew and a host of relatives and friends.

"If that isn't love..."

Their love was one with no end, and she was

happy to have married‘the man of her dreams’.

OBITUARY READING



1. Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2. Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

1. I’ve a home prepared where the saints abide, Just over in the glory land; And I long to be by my Savior’s side, Just over in the glory land.

Just over in the glory land, I’ll join the happy angel band Just over in the glory land; Just over in the glory land, There with the mighty host I’ll stand, Just over in the glory land. 2. I am on my way to those mansions fair, Just over in the glory land; There to sing God’s praise and His glory share, Just over in the glory land.

3. What a joyful thought that my Lord I’ll see, Just over in the glory land; And with kindred saved, there forever be, Just over in the glory land.

1. Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed thro' His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.

Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! His child and forever I am.

2. Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus, No language my rapture can tell; I know that the light of His presence With me doth continually dwell.

3. I think of my blessed Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long: I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song.

1. Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll fly away; To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away

I'll fly away, Oh Glory I'll fly away; When I die, Hallelujah, by and by, I'll fly away

2. When the shadows of this life have gone, I'll fly away Like a bird from prison bars has flown, I'll fly away

3. Just a few more weary days and then, I'll fly away; To a land where joy shall never end, I'll fly away

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Just Over In the Glory Land I'll Fly Away

Redeemed, How I Love To Proclaim It

UInternment:

Hollywood Memorial Park1500 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, NJ 07083

URepast Immediately Following the Internment

Faith Gospel Tabernacle70 Mill Road, Irvington, New Jersey 07111

UFinal Arrangements Entrusted To:

Woody Home for Services163 Oakwood Avenue, Orange, NJ 07050

Tel: 973-674-0814

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The family of Bishop Dr. Walter G. Francis expresses their most sincere appreciation for the outpouring of love through calls, visits, prayers and deeds. Your unwaivering kind-ness will never be forgotten.

As we continue the Kingdom-building legacy of Bishop Francis, let us do so with the same diligence, love, and gracious smile that we will always remember him by.

For we know that "with God, all things are possible." (Matt. 19:26)

May God bless you,The Francis' Family

Bishop Dr. Walter G. Francis, Jr. Funeral Program

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Transcript of Bishop Dr. Walter G. Francis, Jr. Funeral Program