A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ARKANSAS SECOND JURISDICTION CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, INC. BISHOP D. L. LINDSEY PRELATE *Submitted to the Office of the General Secretary by the Executive Secretary to the Bishop, Pastor Robert G. Rudolph, Jr. In 1950, Bishop Minor Jones was the leader of the entire state of Arkansas.  Under his leadership the state was divided in the same year. His action allowed six districts to be formed from this division creating the “Southwest Arkansas” diocese of the Church of God in Christ, which is today known as the Arkansas Second Jurisdiction. In 1951, Bishop W. A. Washington, was appointed as the first Bishop of the divided state, serving only for one day.  Bishop W. H. Kendricks was then appointed to serve from 1951 until 1957.  The next jurisdictional leader was Bishop John L. Lewis, who served from 1958 to 1968.  Under his leadership, the State Temple was purchased.  It is to his sacred memory that is was named “Lewis Temple”.   In 1968, Bishop R. B. Hatley was appointed as Bishop Lewis’ successor.  It was during his dynamic leadership that the State Temple was freed of debt.   After having done such a wonderful job as the leader, his service to the jurisdiction ended in 1974.  Presently, Southwest Arkansas is rapidly growing under the leadership of Bishop Donne L. Lindsey, who was appointed in 1974. Under Bishop Lindsey’s leadership, the Jurisdiction initially grew from eight districts to fifteen districts.  In 1993, upon the leading of the Lord, Bishop Lindsey, with permission of the Presiding Bishop L. H. Ford and the General Board, was able to divide the Jurisdiction to promote growth.  It resulted in the formation of the Arkansas Third Jurisdiction, with Bishop R. E. Matheney being appointed as the jurisdictional prelate.  In the year 2000, the Jurisdiction was divided again to form the Arkansas Fourth Jurisdiction with Bishop Wallace Johnson being appointed as the jurisdictional prelate.  Today, the Arkansas Second Jurisdiction has sixteen districts and over 90 churches and missions. Most recently, the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame honored our founding father, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, as he was posthumously inducted into the institution.  Our Presiding Bishop G. E. Patterson accepted this award on behalf of the Church of God in Christ.  The Arkansas Second Jurisdiction and Bishop D. L. Lindsey were honored to participate in that gala affair in which the sitting U. S. President Bill Clinton was also a Hall of Fame inductee. God has given Bishop Lindsey a vision that is bringing about the completion of the inward dreams of those that pioneered the way for our church to have the opportunity to develop to its fullest potential.

JURISDICTIONAL PRELATES BISHOP W. A. WASHINGTON                          1951 BISHOP W. H. KENDRICKS                        1951 -1957 BISHOP JOHN L. LEWIS                                1958 – 1968 BISHOP R. B. HATLEY                                1968 – 1974 BISHOP D. L. LINDSEY                                1974 – PRESENT JURISDICTIONAL SUPERVISORS MOTHER JESSIE B. WASHINGTON                1951 - 1983 MOTHER EVA McGHEE                                1984 - 1994 MOTHER BERNICE LAMBERT                        1994 - PRESENT