Robert N. Fortson, Sr.
Bishop Robert Nelson Fortson, Sr. is a native of Egypt, Mississippi, a small town in the northeastern part of the state. He is a graduate of Jackson State University of Jackson, Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. While attending Jackson State in 1975, he was invited by a fellow student to visit Greater Bethlehem Temple Church located two blocks from the university. From the moment he entered the doors his life would never be the same, as he was met by the presence of God and was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ the same day. Shortly thereafter he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost evidenced by the speaking of new tongues and further confirmation from God through a miraculous visit in a vision. He credits much of his spiritual growth to the leadership of his late pastor, Bishop Phillip Coleman, Sr.
Since Pastor Fortson’s early years he has been actively involved in the work of his home church, Greater Bethlehem Temple, including initiating home bible studies in several cities, campus ministries at Jackson State University and conducting a mobile church in several communities. He would later serve as Church Building Project Administrator, Choir President and leader of the baptism, tape, and outreach ministries. He began preaching the gospel in 1983 and has worked fervently in ministry since then. He served as the senior associate minister under Bishop Coleman for nearly 30 years and as Vice-Chairman of the Greater Bethlehem Temple Church Board of Trustees.
Pastor Fortson has served the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith Association (PCAF) faithfully for over two decades. He served as District Elder from 1987 until 2008 for several states, including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the PCAF national body. He has also worked extensively with the Southeastern District Council of the PCAF, serving three terms as Council Youth Chairman and four terms as Council Chairman. He was consecrated Episcopal Bishop for the state of Hawaii in August of 2009.
Pastor Robert Fortson is the owner of Fortson Enterprises, which includes an insurance company (Fortson Group, Inc.), an industrial supply company (Fortson Industrial Supply, Co. Inc.) and co-owner of a housing development company (Fortson Developers, LLC).
Bishop Fortson is married to Lady Chiquita McBride Fortson. Together they have three sons, Robert Jr., Brian, and Matthew and are loving grandparents of two grandsons, Ethan and Keegan.
Bishop Fortson is the Senior Pastor and Chief Executive Officer of Greater Bethlehem Temple Church of Jackson, Mississippi.
