In the picture above you will see myself and one of the daughters, (Terri “Bunches” Jamison) of a beautiful lady, who was the daughter of Mrs. & Bishop Thomas of Bethlehem Temple in East Liberty Pittsburgh PA, who taught me a lot about the Lord. It was my first serious experience with the Lord since my mother died when I was eight years old. I got baptized and began to speak in tongues when I rose up out of the water at her father’s church. I rose up out of the water speaking in a strange language that scared me a little bit. I began to stop but there were two ladies dressed in white, one on each side of the baptism pool and they kept telling me “Keep speaking don’t stop! Keep speaking. Don’t stop!”
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One day as I was walking up the hill to catch a bus 12:00 AM after working at a local UniMart store, a lady dressed in white walked up Verona Hill beside me out of nowhere. I thought that was a little strange especially for that time of night. She looked at me and she said “You’re one of them aren’t you?” And I said “Who?” She said “You’re saved right?” I answered, “Yes.” She laughed a little and said, “I knew.”
About Greater Bethlehem Temple – GBT (As posted on their website.)
A future and a hope Through the years, the ministry of Greater Bethlehem Temple (GBT) has helped thousands of people spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Founded in 1933 by the late Bishop Freeman M. Thomas and under current leadership of his son, Reverend Lowell J. Thomas, MD, GBT has been an inspiration in the city of Pittsburgh and its surrounding areas. Our mission is the great commission GBT exists to bring good tidings unto the humble; assist and restore the broken-hearted, proclaim the liberating gospel to the captives, and reveal the love of Jesus to them that are bound. We do this through various ministry outreaches, equipping the saints, and preaching the uncompromised Word of God. History In the early 1930’s, the Reverend Freeman Thomas answered the call of God upon his life and founded what would become known as Greater Bethlehem Temple. Bishop Freeman Thomas has since passed onto his reward in Glory, and leaves a legacy of leading thousands to the Lord. In the mid 1990’s, his son Reverend Lowell Thomas, MD became senior pastor of Greater Bethlehem Temple and has continued that legacy of leading thousands more to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This was one of the most godly families that I ever saw in my entire life. I was bouncing around, a young girl, who didn’t know what I was going to do with my life. I had already lived in a few different homes, including 2 wonderful Puerto Rican families, but, I was going through something at the time and Shirley took me in. I just felt some thing about that family and their presence. They were real. I finally found someone who was real and really loved me. I had a beautiful time with their family. What you see on Bunches’ face is how that family looked all the time. They didn’t put on any airs they just smiled and loved one another all the time. There was one sister named Peaches who was the funny one of the group who always laughed at my pancakes because my pancakes always came out looking like footballs. She never seemed to let anything get to her, in fact, the whole family acted that way. I have no idea why I couldn’t make simple pancakes, but she taught me how to make them properly.
Yesterday, Monday, October 30, 2023 I received information that Shirley has passed and gone to a place of comfort. The last thing that I want to say is that I definitely, without a doubt, know Shirley Carzell Jamison Thompson is now at rest in an awesome, beautiful place.
Thanks for reading and God bless you,
RevEssie
Blessings!