Sarah L. McNeil, the oldest of five children, was born January 30, 1931, to Eddie and Emma McNeil of Clinton, Mississippi. On September 23, 1951, Sarah married Phillip Coleman and, through their union, she gave birth to fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters.
Along with her husband, the dedicated wife and mother moved to Detroit, Michigan in the early 1950’s. It was there in September of 1953 that Sarah was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. This began her new Christian walk with the Lord, yet there would be many challenges ahead.
In 1954 Elder Coleman moved his family back to Mississippi. After much fasting and prayer, Sister Coleman, along with her mother-in-law Maggie Coleman, Elder Leevester McLaurin, and Sister Chlorinda Shelby prepared the home of Elder’s Coleman’s parents for the first service of Bethlehem Temple. Here the Lord would begin to unfold His great plans for Sarah’s life. When the church opened for the first time in 1955, she became one of only five founding members.
Sister Sarah Coleman’s new responsibilities as wife, mother and first lady would prove to be very challenging, but she knew God was with her. Having two children in a home consisting of only a single-framed structure with large cracks in the walls and floors, Sister Coleman prayed and trusted in the Lord as her husband bore the financial responsibilities of this young church.
For many years Sister Coleman worked diligently in fundraising to support her husband’s ministry. In 1955 the young church completed construction for the new home of Greater Bethlehem Temple located on Dewey Street in Jackson, Mississippi. Sister Coleman continued her support of the ministry as the membership outgrew that location and moved to its present location at 1505 Robinson Street in 1970. Again, after outgrowing their facility in March of 1989, Bishop Phillip Coleman, Sr., Mother Sarah Coleman, along with the congregation of nearly two thousand members, marched into the new church sanctuary.
Mother Coleman served in many positions in the Lord’s vineyard. She was the first Sunday School Superintendent, pianist, organist, cook, Missionary Department President, praise and worship leader, secretary, bookkeeper, and seeking committee member. She was a member of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith Pastors’ Wives Alliance.
On October 2, 2007, Mother Coleman lost her friend, companion, husband, and pastor when the Lord called Bishop Coleman home. She remained a woman of grace, comfort, beauty, and wisdom until her own death on June 16, 2010 at the age of 79.
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