Founding President and Presiding Bishop of FCGM
Founder and First Lady of FCGM |
Born May 17, 1953, the eldest of five children to Sam and Margie Ann Leigh, Bishop Leigh grew up in a very dysfunctional family. At the age of five, his mother disappeared (never to be heard from again) and his father and stepmother raised him until age fifteen. Having lost all of his siblings (1 to death and 3 to adoption), young Sam became a very lonely and withdrawn little boy. His father was an abusive alcoholic who never talked about God except to take his name in vain.
After getting tired of his landlord inviting him to church, the elder Sam finally struck a deal that would be the beginning of a very turbulent road for the younger Sam to travel. He promised to let young Sam and his stepsister attend church if the landlord would stop inviting him to go. It was in this Baptist church that young Sam first met Jesus and was called into the ministry at the tender age of eight. But unknown to young Sam at the time, there would be many detours along the way before this calling would be realized.
After suffering years of harsh physical and mental abuse at home, young Sam went to live in an orphanage at age 15, and then at age 17, unable to cope in a group setting, Sam moved in with a young Baptist Pastor and his wife. It was here that he first began to learn how to preach and how to work with youth. It appeared that his dream was finally taking root. But before long, that hope would be shattered.
One evening, while attempting to witness to other young people at a party about Jesus, Sam found himself presented with a temptation to take a drink from a beer. The invitation was from the very one that Sam was trying to tell about Jesus. After much taunting, and not being strong enough in the Lord, Sam was not able to resist and gave in to the pressure. This one drink led to complete drunkenness.
The next morning, having recognized not only his sin, but the loss of his Christian testimony, and knowing that he could no longer be the effective witness he so desired to be for God, Sam went straight to the church leadership to repent and ask what to do. The harsh judgment and unforgiveness received from his mentor devastated young Sam.
Having been told that "all hope of ever having a ministry is now gone forever," and that "you need to move far, far away, where nobody knows you," young Sam took that to mean that he had committed the unpardonable sin. As a result, he ran from God and plummeted into a life of despair and hopelessness.
Many long years were wasted due to alcohol and drugs. This produced three failed marriages, the inability to succeed at any kind of job he attempted, and financial bankruptcy. However, during this period of living hell, God never once stopped loving Sam and never lifted His calling. This made life an unbearable living torment with no peace found in any of the world's answers.
There were many failed efforts at getting back into the ministry, all of which were attempts to stop the torment of one who is running from himself, but no matter where he is, always finding himself there. But everywhere he went, Sam was told by the church leadership that he had "blown it." Because he had been divorced, God could never again use him in a ministry. There seemed to be no forgiveness to be found. This condemnation from within the church coupled with the overwhelming guilt he already lived with daily became so bad that Sam could find no peace in the world or the church. Having alienated himself from family and friends, Sam finally gave up and resigned himself to living out his life as a disappointment to God, the church, the world, and himself.
Then, in 1986 God sent Rosezetta into his life. Their meeting was completely unexpected and not something Sam even desired. He had already moved out of town into the woods with the idea of dropping out of life and being as inconspicuous as possible. But God had other ideas. Funny, how things can come together when we stop and stand still. Over the next 12 years, God's Grace won out and brought healing and restoration to both their lives.
Then, in April 1999, God had another surprise. Bishop Leigh and his loving wife, First Lady Rosezetta Leigh, were directed by Him to start General Council of Freedom Covenant Churches International, and charter Freedom Covenant Church Northwest as its first church. Together with three other family members who believed in the vision, a Board of Directors was formed and the task was undertaken. Since that time, not everything has been perfect, and there have certainly been some mistakes made along the way.
Two members of the original Board of Directors are no longer with us, but have gone on to work in ministry with another church. In the year 2004, the ministry name was changed to Freedom Covenant Global Ministries. Although still small, FCGM is slowly growing, and today has a total of 40 credentialed ministers and 12 Chartered affiliates, numbering 8 churches, 2 Bible Institutes, 1 Mission Organization, and 1 Evangelistic Ministry.
Now in his second term of office as Presiding Bishop, Bishop Leigh has the same burning vision and heart's desire, which is to reach all people of the church with the following message: "If you have been born again, washed in the Blood of Jesus, and Baptized in the Holy Ghost, you have been set apart for the work of His ministry. Your past sins are no more because you have been cleansed by His Blood. You have been made anew and have no more reason to walk in condemnation for those past sins."
And to all the people of the world:
"It is not too late! This same promise can be yours. Why not receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord today? It's time we all stopped the wasted years!" |
General Secretary, Executive Pastor, and Western Regional Bishop of FCGM |
Bishop David Lathrop was born in 1946 to Emory and Jean Lathrop of Warm Beach, Washington, and lived in several western Washington communities as a youth. David was baptized at 5 years old and attended the First Baptist Church regularly.
At age 16, he was elected a youth group president for Sylvan Park Community Church in Tacoma Washington. A year later, at the age of 17 (1964) David enlisted in the USAF where he remained for 10 years, serving in the Pacific, US, Asia, and Europe. He also completed 10 years in the Air National Guard, retiring in 1984.
Bishop Lathrop has served with the Sonshine Society, a ministry to the elderly; as Church Training Director, Shoultes Baptist Church (SBA); as a Sunday school teacher; a leader with the Royal Rangers; and as a home group leader. He was Associate Pastor for 9 years at the Tulalip House of Prayer where he first received his ministry license and ordination.
Bishop Lathrop is currently an Ordained Minister with Freedom Covenant Global Ministries, where he serves as Bishop of the Western Region of the United States.
With the help of several others, he founded The Upper-Room Fellowship, where he currently serves as Senior Pastor. He has also established The Washington Bible Institute, and with the aid of Bishop Sam Leigh has developed programs leading to several Associate Degrees.
Bishop Lathrop has been married to his wife Delores since May 26th 1984, and is the father of 3 girls and grandfather of 8. |
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Bishop of Kenya
and wife,
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Rev. Jerry O. Owuor has been an Ordained Minister with Freedom Covenant Global Ministries since July 2003 and just recently was consecrated as the Bishop of Kenya for FCGM. Together with his wife, Rev. Pastor Pam Oduor, he leads a dynamic ministry called G.I.L.G.O.M. International which reaches out to the people of his homeland Kenya, West Africa.
G.I.L.G.O.M. (God Is Love Gospel Outreach Ministries) began as the call of God upon the heart of one man to evangelize and fulfill the great commission. Together with a few friends, lively, relevant, outdoor crusades began.
The movement quickly accelerated to demonstrate the love of God through practical gifts of compassion. Widows, street children, and orphans found provision, encouragement and purpose. Pastor Jeremiah began speaking the uncompromised truth found in the Word of God to in the cities and remote rural areas of Kenya
In 2004, G.I.L.G.O.M. exploded into a dynamic international ministry as Pastor Jeremiah took an American wife, Pam. Together they began teaching and preaching about the deep love and abounding grace that Jesus has for each of us. Some churches were encouraged and strengthened, others were founded. International connections were established. Every opportunity had the unique purpose of demonstrating the goodness of God.
Today powerful crusades with tens of thousands in attendance are marked with the vibrancy and truth of the Spirit of God. Miracles of healing and deliverance visibly reveal the power of God at work wherever G.I.L.G.O.M. goes, bringing hope and freedom into the lives of people. |
Our Bishops and National Overseers
