Celebrating The Life & Legacy of BISHOP-EMERITUS CECIL ALEXANDER PRATT Bishop Cecil Alexander Pratt transitioned from labor to reward into the glory of the Lord, on Thursday, March 16, 2017. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." -II Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV) Cecil Alexander Pratt, Jr., was born on December 7, 1926 in Miami, Florida to Cecil and Revia Pratt, natives of the Bahamas. He was the eldest of ten children. As the oldest he developed the leadership and caring qualities that became significant characteristics of his personality. Cecil's parents provided him a well-disciplined holiness upbringing and foundation. He married his first wife, Delores, and the Lord blessed their union with five children, Gregory, Debra, Renia, Krystale, and Cecil. Cecil Alexander Pratt received his formal education in the Detroit Michigan Public School System and later obtained his Doctorate at Grace Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. In January of 1961, the Lord sent Cecil Pratt to Springfield, Ohio where he was appointed pastor of the Church of Jesus, a small church located at the foot of Chestnut Street that had approximately 35 members. Elder Pratt relocated his family from Detroit to Springfield to fulfill this calling to the ministry. He was employed by the United States Postal System and the Opportunity for Individual Change providing services designed to eliminate poverty, unemployment and illiteracy in Clark County. In 1965, the Church was reorganized under Elder Pratt's leadership and his steadfast commitment to do God's will. The Church of Jesus grew abundantly, both spiritually and increasing in membership. In October 1969, the congregation of 50 members moved from Chestnut Street to 623 South Center Street. In the dedication message, Elder Pratt wrote, "Let us then build upon this stone which is Jesus Christ. We have gone into the valley, encountered the enemy and emerged victorious". This was not the end, only a new beginning. In 1978, Bishop Pratt and family suffered the loss of Sister Delores K. Pratt. Pastor Pratt's life was later blessed through his marriage to Roseann Storey, a woman of God who added much in helping him realize his vision. She and their son, Brad, enriched his life in numerous ways. Together, Pastor Pratt and Evangelist Pratt cultivated a blended family and a vibrant and purposeful ministry. They were fondly called the "Dynamic Duo". Elder Pratt was a visionary and often quoted the scripture, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out... " (Romans 11:33). Under Elder Pratt's tutelage, the Church of Jesus became a birthing place for a myriad of ministries, with an outreach to surrounding colleges and universities: Antioch College, Cedarville College, Central State University, Wilberforce University, Wittenberg University and Wright State University. Other Outreach Ministries, including YES (Youth Exercising Strengths), Youth Computer Literacy Classes, Drug Prevention Programs, Ohio Minority Health Program For The Elderly, Jail/Prison Ministry, Covenant Keepers, Singles Ministry, Brotherhood, Women's Ministry, COJ Youth Ministry, The Pastor's Choir, Men's Choir, Women's Choir, Angel Choir, Counseling Ministry, Broadcast Ministry, and the Health Professional Ministry. Many souls throughout the country are enjoying the blessings of the Lord because of the numerous outreach programs that were birthed from Elder Pratt's vision. Under his leadership, several have been called to pastor churches and others to evangelism. Elder Pratt's love was not confined to the church; it was spread to the community at large where he served the Springfield community in many capacities during his fifty plus years in the city. During the height of the civil rights movement, he served as the employment program manager and the interim director of the Springfield Urban League. In this role, he assisted the underserved minority population in gaining meaningful employment and fair treatment in Springfield and Clark County. Elder Pratt was one of the first African-American directors of the Huntington Bank board for the Springfield area. He played a pivotal role in developing the bank's Community Reinvestment Act goals. He was also a member of the Business Advisory Council for the Springfield City School District, and was a senior member of the Ministerial Alliance for over forty years. The Church was also the lead religious partner for the community-banking program, which provided greater financial access to the minority population of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio. Early on in his ministry it was evident that Elder Pratt was concerned with the future of youth. He established educational programs such as: CAP (Cecil A. Pratt) Scholarships, Tutorial Services for school age children, grades 1-12, and Preparatory Assistance for State achievement tests and Springfield Academy of Excellence. Under Bishop Pratt's leadership, the Church of Jesus Family Worship Center established Precious Gifts Daycare and Learning Center, a state certified, Black owned and operated, daycare and Headstart program in Clark County, Ohio. "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God... " (Psalm 75:6-7). God's approval continued to shine upon District Elder Pratt as he moved into higher leadership positions within the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. In 1996, he was elevated to the position of Suffragan Bishop. Suffragan Bishop Pratt was a member of the Board of Directors of the Ohio District Council of Pentecostal Churches, and Suffragan Bishop Liaison of the auxiliaries of Ohio. In 2002, he was consecrated to the position of Bishop, serving as the Diocesan of District 42, Togo-West Africa. He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 38 years, Pastor Roseann Pratt; his sons, Gregory Pratt (Charleyse deceased), Cecil (Annie) Pratt and Brad (Danita) Pratt; daughters, Debra Burks and Renia Phillips; brothers, Theodore Pratt and Alfred (Lynn) Pratt; sisters, Henrietta (Edwin) Schubert and Gloria Lindo; sister-in-law, Shirley (Lenny) Argueta; 13 grandchildren, as well as many great grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, special friends, and countless others who fondly called him Uncle Cecil. Bishop Pratt is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Revia Pratt; daughter, Krystale Burks; brothers, Jerome, Danny, and James Pratt, and sisters, Ruth and Elvetia Pratt.

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