OUR PASTOR AND FIRST LADY

Bishop Winston R. Palmer was born on January 7, 1966 in Washington D.C. and is the seventh of fourteen children born to Elder William R. Palmer, Jr. and Sister Lerah Palmer. He began his public school education in the District of Columbia and was later transferred when his family moved to Oxon Hill, Maryland. In 1984, Brother Palmer received his high school diploma from the Prince Georges County public school system. 

After graduation, Brother Palmer was employed by Pizza Hut before going into the United States Army where he completed his basic training and AIT. After training, Brother Palmer worked for Admiral Security and then for Executone Information Systems from 1987 to 2001, working his way up from service technician to service supervisor while attending many schools and earning numerous certifications. 

Currently, Bishop Palmer enjoys his position in the Pennsylvania State Police as a Radio Telecommunications Specialist II. In 2007, Bishop Palmer graduated magna cum laude with his Associate’s Degree in Information Technology; on August 7, 2010, Bishop Palmer graduated summa cum laude with his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Organization; and on February 2, 2013, Bishop Palmer graduated summa cum laude with his Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Each of these degrees were obtained through Kaplan University. He is truly blessed of the Lord, realizing that without God and the support of his wife, family, and friends many of his successes would not have been possible.

Brother Winston R. Palmer and Sister Sonya A. Holton were married on June 28, 1986 and are the proud parents of eight (8) children and proud grandparents of seventeen (17) beautiful grandchildren:

Krystin   Holton (blessed with Jesus)

· Arturo, Jr.

· Artaya (blessed   with Jesus)

· Bella (blessed   with Jesus)

· Adonis

· Halo

· Holton

Krystle   Palmer

· Kiara

· Ki'Leigh

Krystianna   Alridge

· Kendiyah

· Richie, Jr.

· Kendel

Krystina   Palmer

· Zion

· Nature

Kenneth Magobet

· Kennedy

Malika   Thompson

· Ian

Sean   Thompson

· Ty'Sean

· Khloe

Trey   Martin

· no children

Over the past thirty-five (35) years they have experienced many things, but still maintain the testimony that God is an awesome God.

Brother Palmer was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and received the Holy Ghost when he was seven years old. Known for his willingness to give God praises, anyone who knows Bishop Palmer will understand why he has worn the label “fireball” since his childhood. As a young man, Brother Palmer served under the guidance of his father; the late Apostle William R. Palmer, Jr. the founder and former general overseer of the Bethuel Temple Churches of Christ Apostolic, Inc. While a brother in the church, Brother Palmer sang, taught, traveled and did whatever his hands found to do, but God had a greater calling on his life.

In 1987, Brother Palmer was ordained a Deacon and two years later, on Sunday, July 16, 1989 he preached his trial sermon. Under the dynamic leadership of his Bishop, Elder Palmer served as Sunday School Superintendent, Brotherhood Choir Director, Youth President of the Bethuel Temple Church, as well as the Youth President of the Apostolic Alliance of Churches of Jesus Christ. Elder Palmer gained a wealth of leadership experience and knowledge. After serving as an Elder and traveling the United States and overseas with his father, Elder Palmer and his family relocated to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to help care for his grandmother-in-law. Although Elder Palmer came to Harrisburg to aid this particular soul, the Lord knew that there were others who needed to hear the true word of God; and in the spring of 1996, Bishop William R. Palmer, Jr. came to Harrisburg to dedicate the Bethuel Temple Church of Christ Apostolic, No. 2; the Pastor, Elder Winston R. Palmer.

A hard-working young man, Pastor Palmer had a growing ministry that included various works for the Lord including a weekly radio broadcast program on WWII 720 AM (the Rock) and a visitation ministry at the Spring Creek Nursing Facility formerly, Dauphin Manor Nursing Facility.

Also, near and dear to Pastor Palmer’s heart is his ongoing efforts to find out what happened to his dear daughter in the Lord, Sister Diane Scott, affectionately called “Sister Diane” who disappeared on May 24, 2001 and has not been seen or heard from since that time. At the time of her disappearance, Sister Diane had three children who Pastor Palmer and his wife took into their care. God has truly given Pastor and First Lady Palmer a heart for the people, this being just one small example of their commitment. However, Pastor Palmer desired to become a great leader.

On Sunday, July 9, 2007, Pastor Palmer was elevated to Suffragan Bishop of the Bethuel Temple Churches of Christ Apostolic.

As a man of God, Bishop Palmer has a God-given vision for the people and constantly teaches the importance of putting God first in everything. God has proven Himself miraculous to Bishop Palmer and Bethuel Temple Church, No. 2. In recent years they purchased and paid for their church; and Bishop Palmer purchased a building in the neighborhood and is currently working to realize the dream of opening a cyber café. He also desires to see God’s people purchase land, design and build their own community of homes. Bishop Palmer believes that the people of God are to have “all things in common.” He believes bringing our resources together will remove the strain and cause the church to become self-sufficient as well as self-supporting.

Over the past 25 years, numerous souls have come through Bethuel Temple Church of Christ Apostolic No. 2, being baptized in Jesus Name and some received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Bishop Palmer especially thank God for the Saints who have continued to work with him to perfect the Ministry.

Bishop Palmer glorifies and appreciates God for his trip to Ghana, Africa with his late presiding Apostle William R. Palmer, Jr. and First Lady Mother Lerah Palmer in April 2010. During this mission, many souls were baptized and seven churches were added to the Bethuel Temple Church Family.

On October 18, 2010, the Lord Jesus Christ called his father, mentor, and Apostle Home. No words can explain the emptiness in his heart. For 15 years his father, mentor, and Apostle preached the closing message of the Anniversary. He is greatly missed!

On Monday, November 1, 2010, the Homegoing service for Apostle William Rutherford Palmer, Jr. was held at Bibleway Temple, 1100 New Jersey Ave, NW Washington D.C. He had the honor of preaching the eulogy. What a great time we had praising and glorifying God for the life and legacy of our father, mentor, and Apostle. He is and will continue to be greatly missed.

On February 4, 2016, Bishop Palmer returned to the air through an internet-based radio broadcast. The broadcast is called “The Moments of Truth Broadcast” and airs LIVE every Thursday from 5:30PM-6:30PM and replays on Sunday mornings 7:30AM-8:30AM. You can listen on-line through www.thevoice17104.com, you can also dial in and listen live through the phone 667-930-9265. Please note that live prayer request calls are taken between 5:35PM-5:45PM by dialing 717-889-7181.

Bethuel Temple is the church where God dwells; because “God is in her!” We have experienced so many of God’s great benefits. That is why we can BOLDLY say that the Lord is our HELPER!