Reverend Dr. G. Vincent Lewis

LEWIS ~ The Reverend Dr. G. Vincent Lewis departed this life April 18, 2020, after a lengthy battle with cancer. The lives of many were touched by the birth of Dr. Lewis on January 29, 1951 to Willie and Jean Lewis in Jacksonville, Florida. 

Dr. Lewis was a graduate of William M. Raines High School, Class of 1969, and Edward Waters College, where he earned his BS degree in Social Science in 1974. While attending Edward Waters College, Dr. Lewis participated in a 6 Week Carnegie Program at the University of Florida, in Gainesville, Florida. He attended Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia where he obtained a Master of Divinity degree in 1977; Harvard Divinity School earning an Executive Certificate in 2001, prior to his health failing Dr. Lewis was enrolled in the Doctoral Program at the Apex School of Theology in Durham, North Carolina, under the mentorship of his cousin/best friend Dr. Lafayette Maxwell. Completing the work required, Reverend Lewis was awarded the Doctorate in Ministry.

At the tender age of nine, Dr. Lewis attended a prayer service with his grandmother whom he affectionately called "Mother Dear" where the leader of the meeting- Mother Wright, prayed for Dr. Lewis telling his grandmother "he would preach the word of God."

It was under the watchful and fatherly eye of his pastor and spiritual father, Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Sr. that G. Vincent accepted his call into the ministry. As a spiritual son of Bethel and Bishop McKissick, Sr., he began immediately to make strides in ministry. Their bond was of such that when Bishop (then Pastor) McKissick was ready to venture into staff ministry, he called G. Vincent back from Dallas, Texas to become the first Director of Christian Education at Bethel and then elevated to Associate Pastor. This bond continued and grew through his “little brother” Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr., now the Lead Pastor at Bethel, whom he affectionately called “his Bishop” and “Jr”.

A man of God - a nationally renowned activist and scholar – Dr. Lewis mentored and evangelized to countless souls. Through the gift of evangelism, Dr. Lewis conducted seminars where he taught the Word of God thorough out the globe which extended as far as the Continent of Africa. Dr. Lewis greatest passion was aimed toward mentoring Men. 

Dr. Lewis was CEO of GVL Consulting LLC., and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. 

During the journey of his ministry, Dr. Lewis held many positions in various contexts.

Pastor of Social Justice
Leadership Development of Ministerial and Lay Leaders 
The House of Hope Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
E. Dewey Smith, Senior Pastor
2013 – 2016

Chief Ministerial Officer
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Carol City
Miami Garden, Florida
Arthur Jackson, III, Senior Pastor
2003 – 2012

Executive Pastor
Mount Bethel Baptist Church
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Bishop C.E. Glover, Senior Pastor
2000-2003

Senior Pastor
First Institutional Baptist Church
Tallahassee, Florida
1992 – 1999
 

First African Baptist Church
Green Coves Spring, Florida
1992-1999

Associate Pastor
Bethel Baptist Institutional Church
Jacksonville, Florida
Dr. Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr, Senior Pastor
1985-1989

Dr. Lewis was preceded in death by parents Willie and Jean Lewis, and his brother Randolph B. Lewis.

Dr. Lewis leaves to cherish and celebrate loving memories is his loving and devoted wife of twenty – seven years, Novice A. Lewis; daughters, Dr. Dwan Armstrong, Alisa Forts, Geena Fowowe (Olukay), Karen Felder, Jon’tue Cushion; son, Geran Vincent Lewis; grandchildren, Daryl Armstrong, Jr., Amara Fort, Alexa Fort, Xavier Felder-Thomas, Janna Felder-Miller, Alexander Talley, Anthony Burrows; great-grandchild, Azari Felder-Thomas; brothers, Willie Gregory Lewis, Keith Lewis (Gail); sisters, Jacquelyn Mayhew, Karen Lewis and Gladys Lewis; brother-in-law, Artis Ross (June); sisters-in-law, Janine Lewis, Veronica Vickers; cousins, Dr. Lafayette Maxwell, Patricia Riley (Aaron), Reginald Maxwell; Goddaughter, Jillian Glover: nephews, nieces, cousins and a host of other relatives and special friends. Spiritual sons and daughters are now bearers of the legacy.

Dr. Lewis was a diligent servant of God, who willingly labored in the ministry right until his death. He was always known as a leader and visionary who inspired many to greatness.

Dr. Lewis was a true humanitarian who gave endlessly to those in need – whether a stranger, family, friend, or foe. His personal charity reached all over the world and touched people in places as far as Rwanda Africa. He was involved in the initial gun buyback program in Jacksonville, Florida. His heartbeat was social justice as evident in leading a youth rally in the streets of Miami, Florida after seventeen year old Trayvon Martin was gunned down February 26, 2012. This act sparked the birthing of the national movement "Black Lives Matters". 

Dr. G. Vincent Lewis built a legacy that will deem him sorely missed, but never forgotten.

Celebration of Life for The Reverend Dr. G. Vincent Lewis will be 11:00 AM, Monday, April 27, 2020 at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, 215 Bethel Baptist Street, Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr., Lead Pastor: Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr., Pastor Emeritus.   Because of the love of his family arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Drive, 904.924.9400. You may witness the service live by accessing the live stream link at  Facebook live : The Bethel Church or website https://thebethelexperience.com

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