2747 Reel Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Biography of Bishop Benjamin J. Ravenel,
Sr.
The Right Reverend Benjamin
J. Ravenel, Sr. was born November 14th to Joseph and Louise Benekin
Ravenel in Charleston, South Carolina.
Early in his life, his family migrated to Steelton, Pennsylvania.
He was educated in the public schools of this city graduating from Steelton
High School in 1948.
While serving in the Air Force in Rome, New York, he met and later married
Matilda Oberia Graham in April, 1953.
After serving his country, Bishop Ravenel responded to the call of the
Lord and accepted Christ as his personal Savior in January, 1962 and
acknowledged his call to the gospel ministry in March of the same year.
Emulating the early development
of Christ, he increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God
and man under the tutelage of several of the pioneers of holiness in
Pennsylvania, his uncle and pastor, the late Elder Caesar Bennett, his
superintendent, the late Elder Ernest T. Lingo, and the shepherd of
his family, Bishop Dewitt A. Burton. His willingness to be a servant
endeared him as a son to our saintly father, the later Bishop O.T. Jones,
Sr.
Bishop Ravenel is presently serving as Pastor of three churches in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Jurisdiction.
He was appointed Pastor of the Prince of Peace COGIC in Altoona, Pa in November, 1964, the Tabernacle COGIC in Mount Union, Pa in September, 1969, and the Lingo Memorial COGIC in Harrisburg, Pa in 1977.
His fervency in ministry
lead to his appointment as District Superintendent of the Altoona District
in 1969.
Throughout the years, Bishop has served the leadership and ministry
of our jurisdiction. He has served as Expediter for the Music Department,
Chairman of the Budget Committee, Chairman of the Board of Superintendents,
Chairman of the Board of Elders, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements,
and Principal consultant to the May Festival Committee.
It was during his tenure of service as Chairman of the Board of Elders that a bond of love and respect developed between our Bishop-Emeritus, The Right Reverend OT Jones, Jr. and Bishop Ravenel.
His life has been immeasurable impacted by the life and ministry of Bishop Jones. Until this recent elevation to the Office of Jurisdictional Bishop, he served as the First Administrative Assistant to Bishop Jones, Jr.
For the past several years,
Bishop Ravenel has served our national church as a member of the Executive
Committee of the General Assembly.
Bishop Ravenel is a servant of humanity.
He currently serves as Vice-president
of the Central Pennsylvania Region of the One Church One Child Adoption
Program and President of the Holy Organization of Pentecostal
Endeavor (HOPE). He is also a member and past treasurer of the Interdenominational
Ministers Conference of the Greater Harrisburg area.
In recognition of his service to both his church and his community,
Bishop Ravenel has been the recipient of many awards and citations.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Jurisdiction has bestowed upon him
its Distinguished Citizenship Award. The City Council of Harrisburg
has commended him for his dedicated service to its citizens. The Society
of Volunteer Women Ministries recently named him a “Great man of Distinction”He
is also listed in the “Who’s Who of Executives and Businesses” as an
Honored Professional.
Bishop and Mother Ravenel enjoy the love and respect
of eight children, twenty grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.