Apostle.L.J.Rivers  

Chief Apostle L.J. Rivers,is the youngest of five children born to the Late James and Ann Rivers of Philadelphia,Pa.Apostle Rivers was pre-ordained to be born to a praying,God-fearing Mother,who believed emphatically in nurturing and strategically overseeing the development of her children:instilling the essenceof worship and consistent service to the Lord.This is evident through the life of our Chief Apostle,who accepted the Lord, as his personal saviour,being baptized at the age of six years old,by Rev.Frederick L.Bowers,III(Pastor of the Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church,Philadelphia,Pa.)and serving in numerous in-reach and out-reach ministries of the church. This peculiar young man soon found his true mision in life at an early age.At sixteen,Apostle Rivers recognized and accepted the Call to Preach the Gospel.Being directed by the Holy Spirit,he began his tutelage under the Late Pastor Jesse F. Hayward,who was very instumental in his development and understanding of the Word and Ministerial OperationsThough this was the foundation,God would have it that Apostle Rivers continue to be taught by dynamic and spiritual leadership.After five years,he was led to Harold O.Davis Memorial Baptist Church to study under the effective teaching of Bishop Kermit L.Newkirk,Jr.,As a result numerous doors began to open for this young inspiring champion of faith.Apostle Rivers is a graduate of Simon Gratz High School,Manna Bible Institute,both of Philadelphia,Pa.,and End-time Bible Institute of Wilmington, N.C. At the age of 21,Apostle Rivers received the Water Baptism in the Name of The Lord Jesus Christ,and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost,with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues,as the Spirit of God gave Utterance at the Highway Church of Christ,under the leadership of Bishop Spencer Davis. On January 16,2000,Pastor L.J.Rivers,was consecrated to the Office of Bishop,by Bishop W.O.Kinning of Overcoming Churches of Deliverance. Apostle Rivers has pastored se