Harrisburg, PA 17110
Biography of Bishop Benjamin J. Ravenel, Sr.
Benjamin Joseph Ravenel, Sr. was born November 14th
to Joseph and Louise Ravenel in Charleston, South Carolina. He was
reared in Steelton, PA and graduated from Steelton-Highspire High School
in 1948. While serving in the Air Force in Rome, NY, he met and later
married Matilda Oberia Graham in April 1953.
He accepted the Lord in January 1962 and his call to the ministry in March of that same year.
Bishop Ravenel is the Pastor of three churches. He was appointed Pastor of Prince of Peace COGIC in Altoona, PA in November 1964, Tabernacle COGIC in Mount Union, PA in September 1969. That same year, he was appointed District Superintendent of the Altoona District. Lastly, in 1977 he was appointed Pastor of the Lingo Memorial COGIC in Harrisburg, PA.
In addition to his Pastoral responsibilities, Bishop Ravenel serves in many capacities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Jurisdiction. He is the Chairman of the Arrangements Committee, principle consultant to the May Festival Committee, and a member of the Jurisdictional Financial Board. In the past he has served as Expeditor for the State Music Department, Chairman of the Board of Superintendents and Chairman of the Board of Elders. Until his elevation to the office of Jurisdictional Bishop, he served as the First Administrative Assistant to Bishop O.T. Jones, Jr.
In the national church Bishop Ravenel serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the General Assembly; as the Regional Bishop, of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. for PA, DE, MD, DC, and VA.
Bishop Ravenel served as Vice President of the Central Region One Church One Child Adoption program and President of the Holy Organization of Pentecostal Endeavor (HOPE). He is a member and the past treasurer of the Interdenominational Ministers Conference of the Greater Harrisburg area. He formerly served as the Commissioner of the Harrisburg Housing Authority.
In recognition of his service to both the church and the community, Bishop Ravenel has been the recipient of many awards and citations. To name a few, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Jurisdiction of the COGIC has bestowed upon him its Distinguished Award. The City of Harrisburg City Council has commended him for his dedicated service to its citizens. The Society of Volunteer Women Ministries named him a “Great Man of Distinction”. He’s listed in the Who’s Who of Executive and Businesses as an Honored Professional. In 2005, Bishop and Mother Ravenel were nominated as “Parents of the Year” in the Harrisburg area.
In addition to these accomplishments, Bishop and Mother Ravenel are the proud parents of eight, grandparents of twenty-three and great-grandparents of nine.
“To God Be The Glory”