The Late Bishop Ross P. Paddock

Bishop Ross P. Paddock was born on a farm in Van Buren County, Michigan on March 9, 1907 to Archie Sinclair and Edith Gertrude Paddock. He was the second of three children born to this union. Later, his family moved to Kalamazoo, County where he lived for the remainder of his life. When Ross was about seventeen years old, he met a young lady, Frances Celia Taylor. On July 8, 1924 they were married. They became the proud parents of twelve children.

Ross’ earliest recollections of hearing the gospel was at a small country church located in Kalamazoo, Michigan where he went to Sunday School. His parents kept him in church wherever they attended. This gave Ross the opportunity to observe the ways of churchmen of various groups. He acquired a hunger for God at the age of thirteen, but the church had nothing to offer him, so he drifted from that early resolve, and afterwards became very critical of the methodology of Christianity.

At the age of eighteen, Ross became so disgusted with hypocrisy in the church that he vowed he would never again go to any church. For three years he kept to that promise, but then he found himself one night in a small store-front mission on Parsdons Street in Kalamazoo. Bishop A. William Lewis was the Evangelist for the meeting. Ross listened as Bishop Lewis described his sinful condition, and made him to feel that his feet were placed under the wrong table. The devil’s table. He was convicted! But became so angry that he wanted to choke Bishop Lewis.

Once again he vowed never again to attend church. However, the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, so, through some unusual circumstances, about five months later, Ross was led into a small country mission a few miles out of town. After attending services there for about two months his resistance was completely gone. The gospel hook had been set, and all that remained was to reel in the fish. On January 1, 1929, Ross P. Paddock was baptized in Jesus’ Name at a little church located in Battle Creek, Michigan. They had to break the ice in order to baptize him. About thirty-six days later, on February 5, 1929, he received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and immediately began to tell the good news to everyone he came in contact with. From that time on, his interest, and love for the Scriptures were very great.

In a matter of days his entire family was saved. His wife, mother, father, sister, and brother with their companions were among his first converts. From the outset of his receiving the Holy Ghost, Ross spent many nights studying his Bible. Five months later he conducted his first service. Two were baptized that night, and one received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. From that night on, novice though he was, he kept endeavoring to preach the gospel.

Soon afterward, his pastor was killed in an accident. The saints would have elected Ross for their pastor at that time but he refused because he knew that his short experience did not yet fit him for the position. Five years later they were once again in need of a pastor. The church was almost completely destroyed by the sins of the former pastor. On December 4, 1934 Bishop S.N. Hancock came, and held an election in which Ross became the pastor of the small assembly, then known as Blessed Promise Assembly. Shortly after becoming the pastor, Elder Paddock purchased some property at 740 Riverside Drive. The church was renamed to Christ Temple Church. The new church was dedicated in 1950. He served as pastor of Christ Temple for thirty-seven and one half years.

After becoming the pastor of Blessed Promise Assembly, Elder Paddock became a member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ. In September of 1938, he applied for credentials with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. In August, 1952 he was elevated to the office of Bishop, and was assigned the following year to the Mountain State Council as its Diocesan. At the Convention held in August, 1953 Bishop Paddock was elected Assistant Presiding Bishop of the PAW, which position he held for fourteen years. He was appointed Diocesan Bishop over the State of Michigan in 1962, and remained in that position until August, 1988.

In 1967, he was destined to move even higher. Following the passing of Bishop Samuel Grimes, Bishop Paddock was elected Presiding Bishop to fill the unexpired term. He was elected to two full terms, in 1968, and again in 1971, as Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Bishop Paddock’s last message to the church when he retired as pastor on June 4, 1972 was like that of the apostle Paul, “I have held back nothing profitable unto you”. His last message preached to Christ Temple was on July 15, 1990. His subject was taken from the book of Revelation, “I am afraid”.

God called this great warrior home, Monday, September 17, 1990, with his wife, and children at his side. He has been greatly missed in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, and the entire constituency of the PAW.