Paul S. Morton

Paul Sylvester Morton (born July 30, 1950) in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

He is currently senior pastor of "Greater St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church", He is a nationally Recording Artist, Author and the founding and presiding bishop of "The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship".Infobox Writer
name = Paul S. Morton


imagesize = 200px
caption = Bishop Paul S. Morton, founder and presiding bishop of FGBCF
pseudonym =
birthdate = birth date and age|1950|07|30
birthplace = Windsor, Ontario , Canada
deathdate =
deathplace =
occupation = Author
Pastor
Founder
Gospel Recording Artist
spouse = Elder Debra Brown Morton (1977-present)
period =
genre =
subject =
movement =
influences = Bishop C.L. Morton, Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Reverend Percy Simpson
influenced = The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, The Junior Progressives


website = http://www.paulmorton.org/

Early Years

Paul Sylvester Morton is the son of the late Bishop C.L. Morton and the late Evangelist Matilda E. Morton. His father had two churches in Windsor, Ontario in Canada and Detroit, Michigan. Growing up, he exemplified a special talent in music. He sang with his brothers and became known all over the country. He was also the founder of a young singing group called the Junior Progressives and severed as Director of the Youth Choir in his fathers' church.

Bishop Morton graduated from the prestigious J. C. Patterson Collegiate Institute. He then attended St. Clair College, he excelled in the area of music. It was around this time he met a young man Named LeRoy Bailey, Jr. LeRoy in 1971 was called to become the pastor of The First Baptist Church of Hartford In 1967, Paul Morton felt called by God to preach the Gospel. In 1972, He was led to city of New Orleans, Louisiana and to the Greater St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Percy Simpson. Here he became an Assistant Pastor. he also attended and graduated from Union Baptist Seminary of Louisiana.

Changes Bring New Programs and Ideas

In 1974, Pastor Simpson died and the former Assistant Pastor, Paul S. Morton was installed as Pastor in January, 1975. Upon becoming pastor Paul S Morton to help people reach their ultimate potential spiritually by developing a personal relationship with God and teaching them to operate in "spirit over mind." When Paul became senior pastor, the spiritual, financial and numerical growth of the Ministry increased tremendously .

Within Greater St. Stephen

In the early days of his pastoral ministry, his profound messages drew hundreds to hear the church:

Since becoming pastor, he incorporated several seasonal institutes and revivals, numerous community outreach programs, and implemented over 60 active-in-house ministries.

In 1997, the ministry purchased an Army Naval Base and renamed it St. Stephen City. This new development provides affordable housing to more than 75 families, also an apartment complex, St. Stephen Manor which provides housing to over 50 families. Also in 1997, the ministry purchased an office building which now houses the new corporate headquarters, home to the ministry’s daily operations, and to several other community businesses.

Outside of St. Stephen

Bishop Morton’s commitment to the community is evident by his participation on the board of One Church-One Addict and the nation’s leading gospel magazine, Gospel Today. He is also the president of the Paul S. Morton, Sr. Scholarship Foundation and president of the Paul S. Morton Bible College and School of Ministry.

Bishop Morton continues to spread the Word of God through the "Changing A Generation" daily radio and weekly television broadcasts which air in several markets nationwide, including a nationally televised broadcast on Dream Television Network, Black Entertainment Television(BET) and Word Network.

Programs lead to Grow and Change

* Greater St. Stephen had to move from the 600 seat sanctuary to a 2000 seat sanctuary adjacent to the original edifice in 1980.
* Greater St. Stephen grew from 647 members to over 20,000 members.
* Greater St. Stephen grew to three church locations in the Greater New Orleans area: Collectively offering eight worship services per week; five services on Sunday, and two Word Explosion services on Wednesday, and a Friday night Deliverance Service.

When Bishop Morton was consecrated to the office of International Presiding Bishop in FGBCF Greater St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church continued to follow him in the planting of eight (8) ministries in the surrounding area;

Life Center Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral,Gretna, LA
Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church, Franklinton, LA;
Greater North Shore Full Gospel Baptist Church, Slidell, LA;
Household of Faith Full Gospel Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA;
Higher Heights Full Gospel Baptist Church, Morgan City, LA;
Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church, Boutte;
Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church, Arabia;
Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church, [Baton Rouge, LA

Founding The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship

In 1992,Bishop Morton began the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, a movement to lead and teach the Christians, focusing primarily Baptists, how to operate in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, yet remain on the same foundation which is Jesus Christ.

In 1992, following the vision of its pastor, Greater St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church changed its name to Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church.

In March 1993, Bishop Morton was consecrated to the office of International Presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. .

Outside of The Full Gospel Baptist Church

Outside of The Full Gospel Baptist Church, Bishop Morton is an author and a musical recording artist.One of his books is entitled "Why Kingdoms Fall" describes his personal struggle life between mental breakdown and his miraculous spiritual restoration. In addition to Why Kingdoms Fall, there are other publications that are grouped in two categories informative; as seen in the book,"What is the Full Gospel Baptist Church?."; and spiritually uplifting,entitled "It’s Time For The Outpouring"In addition to being a dynamic preacher and most proficient teacher, Bishop Morton is a world-renowned singer. In 1999, Bishop Morton released his nationally recognized solo CD (album) entitled "Crescent City Fire."

In 2003 he released "Let It Rain" and following Hurricane Katrina and a battle with cancer in 2006 he declared "I'm Still Standing". Included among his other musical accomplishments are five albums with the Greater St. Stephen Mass Choir and two recordings with the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Mass Choir. He was also featured on the all-star recording of the hit song, "Something Inside So Strong" a tribute to Rosa Parks.

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Bishop Morton founded Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church in Atlanta, becoming "One Church in Two States" and vowing to "Change the Way We Do Church." He is a prime example of his favorite passage of scripture, Isaiah 1:17a, "Learn to do well..."

Personal life

Shortly after his appointment as Senior Pastor, Bishop Morton fell in love with the woman whom, as he says, "makes my life complete", Elder Debra Brown Morton, a member of Greater St. Stephen became his wife in December of 1977. The manifestation of their conviction can be seen in the character of their children, Jasmine, Paul, Jr., and Christiann.

ee also

Archbishop LeRoy Bailey
Full Gospel Baptist Church

References

External links

* http://www.fullgospelbaptist.org
* http://greaterststephenfgbc.org
* http://www.cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/bishop_morton_042104.aspx
* http://www.detroitgospel.com/DG-Bishop-Paul-Morton.htm