From time to time, God gifts us people who are filled with extraordinary vision and divine purpose. Bishop Dr. Lonnie and Mother Doris D. Green were those people. He was God’s giant of a man, and she was a walking story of purpose and victory. Bishop Green was born June 8, 1936, in Grindstone, PA ,to the Late Mr. Lonnie Sr. and Ida Mae Green. Mother Green was born a year prior on October 31, 1985, in Havaco, W.VA, to the late Apostle Perry Thomas and Mother Rosetta Thomas. Both of their lives, even during their childhoods, were a testament to God’s power. Mother Green was born with severe illnesses and eyesight problems. Her parents were told she would not live to adulthood. She became a walking miracle at the age of 9, when God raised her from her death bed.
At the beginning of their young adult lives, they both left home with desires to achieve great things. Bishop Green joined the United States Air Force and during his time, achieved the rank of Captain and became a pilot. He served his country faithfully and completed tours in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Thousands of miles away, Mother Green decided to move to Columbus, Ohio and became very active at Eliezer Church. Although she had decided to become a missionary to the foreign fields and not marry, God had special plans for her life. Bishop and Mother Green met soon after and were married on February 21, 1959, and would remain married for 38 beautiful years.
During their time in the military, they traveled to many places including Japan, Turkey, Canada, Alabama, and Texas. It was during this time that their love for education blossomed. Bishop Green was always pursuing another degree. He was able to obtain his undergraduate degree, two Masters degrees, a Ph.D., and a D.D. with the help of Mother Green who helped him study for every test and proofread every paper. In 2005, one of Mother Green’s dreams came true when she received her Honorary Doctorate. Anytime they followed another interest or passion, they did not stop until it was excellent, including Bishop Green becoming a Martial Arts expert which allowed him to teach self-defense classes to the US Marshalls, the Texas Rangers, and the FBI Academy and Mother Green starting missions in Turkey and Japan.
Bishop and Mother Green loved to pursue their dreams, but nothing was more important than working for the Lord. In 1971, after hearing from God, they walked away from their military life and began Bible Way Church in Del Rio, Texas. In 1980, Bishop Green was selected to become a Junior Bishop and in 1983 was consecrated a Bishop in COOLJC. He became the Diocesan Bishop of Louisiana and the West Texas Diocese. During this time, they were also foster parents to many children and young adults. Together they were instrumental in laying the foundation of growth for several churches in West Texas and helping many young preachers and missionaries began their walk with the Lord. Bishop and Mother Green never slowed down. They were always working the vision set before them. In 1982, they began Bible Way Christian Academy. It was their dream to provide a place that would nurture academic excellence in a Christian environment, and they did just that. To this day the academy continues to pursue in the excellence in which it was founded. Also, a public school in Del Rio was built and named Dr. Lonnie Green Elementary in his honor.
With all their accomplishments, Bishop and Mother Green remained humble and gave all the credit to the Lord. Mother Green would always state she had come this far by faith. When Bishop Green was asked by a reporter what was the most fulfilling part of his life, he did not hesitate to say, “Being in the will of God and obeying His call into the ministry; Being a husband, father and rearing my children in the fear of God; Building a church family, pastoring them, and overseeing churches; Now raising up a Christian school for young boys and girls to instruct them in the ways of God as well as properly educate them”. They were blessed with 5 children,12 grandchildren,6 great grandchildren, and countless sons and daughters in the Gospel. Bishop Green’s work was deemed complete on September 13, 1997, and on June 6, 2007, Mother Green was called home to glory as well. We have no doubt they both heard those triumphant words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Bishop Dr. Lonnie Green was a visionary, a leader, a builder, and a true giant among men. Mother Green was a prayer warrior, educator, and a mighty woman of God. To this day, you can still see the impact their lives had on the world, especially in the community of Del Rio. We thank God for the gift he gave us through Bishop and Mother Green.