"SERVANT OF GOD, WELL DONE!"

~ THE OBITUARY ~

BISHOP ARTHUR GEORGE BURRELL was born September 8, 1919, to the union of Christopher C. and Gertrude L. Burrell in Stamps, Arkansas. The eldest of six children — five boys and one girl — Bishop Burrell received his formal education in the Wichita (Kansas) and Flint (Michigan) school systems.

On December 21, 1946, Arthur Burrell made the life changing decision to devote his life to Christ. He received his spiritual baptism on January 1, 1947, at Elm Park Church of God in Christ, later known as Harris Temple COGIC, (now known as Harris Memorial Church of God in Christ) which was then pastored by Superintendent T.R. Harris.

Bishop Burrell was married to Mother Norma Burrell for 46 wonderful years and they have three sons.

At Elm Park Church, he worked diligently in the ministry serving the church in the office of Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Church Secretary - 1947 through 1962; and Broadcast Announcer - 1951 through 1962. He acknowledged his call to the ministry on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1962, and was later Ordained by the late Bishop C.J. Johnson, Prelate of Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction. Elder Burrell served in the Progressive District, under the leadership of Supt. T.R. Harris, as Y.P.W.W. District President from 1953 to 1975.

On March 9, 1963, Elder Burrell was called to pastor the Gospel Temple COGIC on John Street. He and Mother Burrell along with the congregation negotiated the purchase of a new building at 3801 M.L. King Drive in April 1972, and on September 8, 1972 they relocated to their new worship facility, with a new name — St. George Beth El Church of God in Christ.

He was employed with General Motors for 35 years, retiring in 1974 and becoming a full-time pastor.

In the Jurisdiction Elder Burrell served as the State Sunday School Superintendent, from 1975 - 1980. He has also served the National Church as National Financier of the International Sunday School Department. After the demise of Supt. Harris, Elder Burrell was appointed to the office of District Superintendent of the Progressive District in November 1980, by Bishop P.A. Brooks. In June 2002, he celebrated Progressive District's 50^th Golden Jubilee. Superintendent Burrell's dedication to the Jurisdiction led to him being appointed Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, and Chairman of The Commission of Budget and Finance (March 4, 1981). September 8, 1994, celebrating his 75^th birthday, Mayor Woodrow Stanley of Flint, MI proclaimed the day as "Supt. A.G. Burrell Day." He was recognized by the Association of Church of God in Christ Business Owners (A.C.B.O.) in April 1998 with an Outstanding Service Award to the Church of God in Christ.

In April 1995, Bishop Brooks, who saw the diligence, commitment, and loyalty of this hard-working soldier and dedicated servant in the Church of God in Christ, recommended Superintendent Burrell to the General Board for elevation to the office of Auxiliary Bishop. It was overwhelmingly accepted by the Presiding Bishop and General Board of the Church of God in Christ. During the 81^st Annual Holy Convocation of Northeast Michigan (Historic First) Jurisdiction, Bishop P.A. Brooks appointed Bishop Burrell as Assistant Jurisdictional Bishop.

He leaves to rejoice his memory a loving wife, Missionary Norma L. Burrell; one sister, Eola Porter and a brother Vernell Eugene Burrell, all of Los Angeles, California; three sons, Bishop Walter (Dianne) Bogan, Allan (Deborah) Bogan, and Edward Bogan; four sisters-in-law, Ethel M. Garrett, Dorothy Burrell of Ypsilanti, Dorothy Burrell of Los Angeles, California, and Rosetta Harris; thirteen grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends, including, the St. George Beth El Church family, Progressive District of Northeast Michigan, and the Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Christopher & Gertrude Burrell; three brothers, Kenneth, Thaddeus, and Christopher Burrell; father and mother-in-law, Supt. Theodore and Erma Harris; six brothers-in-law, Theodore, Delano, and Huey Harris, Napoleon Newton, Pastor Robert Garrett, and Ralph Porter; one sister-in-law, Wilda Newton.

The Bible alone tells us of a great and glorious end of human history. Through the Word we see the great purpose of God reaching its climax with the return of Jesus Christ. I Thes. 4:16,17 is the chief biblical source of the doctrine of the Rapture…the catching away to heaven of those, dead or living, who have trusted in Christ and await His return. And so it was on Sunday, June 30, 2002, that the day of his departure was at hand, he uttered in his spirit, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." II Tim 4:6,7

"Even so, come, Lord Jesus"

"I am Rapture Ready"