By Toni Terrell
The Answer Editor-n-Chief

Behind his stern, deep voice and his executive disposition as the prelate of the 1st Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Nevada, is a man who loves to sing, laugh, and share the story of how he met his sweetheart, Loyce Wright Hall, of 60 years.

Bishop Carruth Hall will admit he’s always been a preacher and a man of God, that’s all he’s ever known. “But the turning point in my life was when I was 19 years old, when I met that woman,” he said. “I was 19 years old; preaching my first preach-out and people were looking through the window and it was so packed,” he recalled.

“And there was a lady playing the piano – and she could really play – and her back was turned and hair hanging all the way down. I pointed to her and said that’s my wife. I hadn’t even seen her face yet. But she turned around and looked at me and I almost fell out,” Bishop Hall said.

“I talked to her mom and dad and I told her ‘the Lord gave me to come and talk to you because we’re going to get married.’ Then I pulled off my chain with a ring on it and put it around her neck (signaling engagement). That was it,” he said.

Now 60 years and five children later, Bishop Hall is still making memories as he marks his 39th year serving as the pastor of the Greater St. Paul Church of God in Christ, in addition to maintaining his duties as chaplain of the Collage of COGIC Bishops and president of All Saints Bible College.
 
“When they asked me what I wanted to be as a boy, I told them ‘nothing,’” Bishop remembered. “They asked me again and I told them ‘a boy.’ But God had a different plan in mind.”

Ordained in 1957, Bishop Hall’s days as a boy took him to the cotton fields of Arkansas. But it wasn’t long before his singing voice was discovered and the Five Harps of David recruited him to become a part of a quartet. The group’s anointing grew popular and was recognized across the state of Arkansas where they eventually recorded.

However his dynamic preaching style grabbed the attention of leaders throughout the Church of God in Christ and took him nationwide preaching and teaching the Gospel. Bishop Hall’s reputation as a preacher still rings today.
While his office wall is lined with degrees and certificates – including his degree from the Voice of Prophecy School of Theology, an honorary Doctorate Degree, and an honorary member of the Memphis City Council – Bishop Hall’s claim to fame is his strong moral character and his devotion to his family.
 
“I believe that if you lay aside every sin that there is and look toward Jesus Christ, He will give you what you need. I haven’t missed anything and I like my life,” Bishop said. “That’s what I always tried to share with my family over the years.”

A meticulous prayer warrior, Bishop clings to his daily regimen of 6:00am prayer and Bible reading. “When I feel like I can’t make it, I read Psalms 23, 25 and 27 – when I read that, I am delivered.  Those scriptures will get you through anything,” he said.

As a shepherd to a flock of more than one thousand members according to the roster, Bishop Hall is committed to demonstrating the power of God through prayer. “The most exciting thing for me is to pray for the sick,” he said. “I sing the song ‘I Know God Will Make A Way’ because I’ve seen Him do it over and over again. I’ve seen the sick healed through prayer and I’ve seen the dead raised through prayer.”

While many of his years in Las Vegas were given to the Clark County School District in the transportation department, Bishop Hall’s Nevada life has been devoted to the building of the ministry. He is the president and founder of Spiritual Renewal Ministries and the St. Paul Bible Collage (an accredited college). Before his current appointment, he presided as the Las Vegas District Superintendent.

His service to this community and to ministry will be recognized during an 80th Birthday Gala January 22, 2010, at 6:00 pm at the Emerald Gardens, 891 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89145. The event will be a formal, black tie affair with a red carpet entrance.  For more information contact Pastor Michael Jackson at (702) 655-3867.