Our Team.
Experience and a passion for ministry define our team at Heavenly Temple Church. We have experts who cater to people of all ages and backgrounds. We believe that by having a diverse group of team members, we are better able to serve the community and help spread the word of God. Scroll down to learn more about our experience and our mission.
BISHOP KEVIN E. KNIGHT, SR.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Psalm 37:23
The fourth of seven children, Kevin Eugene was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to working class parents Late Bishop John L. and Fannie B. Knight. And born again in 1975. In 1977 he married his Mary L and to this union, were born their two “diamonds in the rough”, Kevin Eugene Jr., Shantae’ Merie (William Gary Young) and beautiful “Grands”.
He received his grammar and high school education in the Jersey City public school system and earned an Associate degree in Applied Science in Public Policy, a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Studies from Saint Peter’s College, Jersey City, NJ, a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Theology degree from Grace Hill Bible University. He is also a 2000 graduate of NLI (Neighborhood Leadership Initiative).
In 1976 he accepted the call to ministry and was appointed by his father, as the Youth/YPWW President at his local church Heavenly Temple C.O.G.I.C. As he grew and matured in the Lord, he was appointed in 1978 the Youth President of Hudson- Northeast District Youth Department, New Jersey Third Jurisdiction. The appointment provided the platform to begin his work as a passionate leader in the Kingdom of God providing innovative educational and recreational programs for Church and community.
Further calling and conviction lead to his ordination as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ in 1984 and thereafter in 1989 appointed Assistant Pastor at his local Church. In June 1999, his father the Late Bishop John L. Knight passed on the mantle of leadership to him. He yet serves as Pastor of Heavenly Temple, Church Of God In Christ Jersey City, New Jersey. Pastor Knight serves his Church and community in various capacities.
He is a member of the (IMA) Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Jersey City & Vicinity where is served as 2nd Vic-President. 2014 to present, he serves as a Member of New Jersey Together an ecumenical group of Churches and Civic groups organized to intercede for the disenfranchised. 2002 to Present, he serves the President and Executive Director of Community Outreach Team, Inc. (COT) was conceptualized and established in 1988 by the late Bishop John L Knight. It is a faith based non-profit organization with a focus to fulfill the social, educational, and housing needs of the community. COT has been a constant contributor to the revitalization and growth of the Greenville section of Jersey City, New Jersey and continues under the stellar leadership and guidance of Rev. Kevin E. Knight, Sr.
Ecclesiastical Activities 1995-2016
The ministry and service Of Bishop Knight within the Church of God in Christ and abroad includes multiple areas of service many of which he serves simultaneously.
New Jersey Third Hudson-Northeast District of churches COGIC,
• In 1995 – 2008, served as District Secretary,
• In 2008 to 2015, appointed as District Treasurer.
New Jersey Third Jurisdiction COGIC, appointed by Bishop Norman Prescott
• In 1995–2005, he served as President of the Jurisdictional Youth/YP Department,
• In 1999 – 2008, he served as Chairman of (A.I.M.) Auxiliaries In Ministry,
• In 2002 - 2016, he served as Jurisdictional Secretary
• In 2011 - 2016, he served as Jurisdictional Coordinator for the Urban Initiative.
These platforms created an opportunity to provide similar seminars and power-shops to a larger audience of young people throughout New Jersey.
His notoriety did not stop here but drew the attention of the International leaders.
For the International Church Of God In Christ Inc.
• In 2001 – 2006, appointed by President Brandon B. Porter, he served as East Coast Regional Youth Director. Area include: Eastern New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland/Washington, Virginia and West Virginia.• In 2005- 2009, appointed by Bishop G. E. Paterson, Presiding Bishop of the Churches of God in Christ, he served as Vice President for the International Youth Department
• April 2012 to present also serves as a member if the Resolution Committee for the General Assembly,
• July 2015 to 2016, serves as “Overseer” in the Adjutancy Core.
• August 2016 Consecration to the Episcopal office of Bishop
• November 2016 Consecrated as Prelate of New Jersey Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.
But most of all, his heart’s desire is to be able to hear God say, “Well done thy good and faithful servant!”
LEADING LADY MARY L. KNIGHT
Leading Lady Mary L. Knight is the oldest of six children born to parents Annie L. and the late Frampton Dobson, Sr. She received her grammar and high school education in the Jersey City public school system. She earned a Bachelor in Business in 1984 at St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, New Jersey. While working for a family owned business, she met her spouse, Kevin E. Knight, Sr. September 1974. After meeting Elder Knight, Lady Mary accepted the Lord Jesus as her personal Savior and was beautifully filled with the Holy Spirit and began her upward walk to maturity in Christ. They married on July 10, 1977. Born to this marriage are a son Kevin Eugene Jr. and daughter Shantae’ Merie, lovingly referred to as their “Diamonds in the rough”. Additions to the family include a wonderful son-in-love William Gary Young and four precious Grandchildren, “Kayla H., Nyla, Karter E., and Addyson, their Rubies”.
It did not take long for her to realize the special calling of God in her life. Her early commitment of service to God began in 1970 at the Faith Temple Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. William Taylor. There she served as a Sunday School teacher, President of the Youth Dept. and member of the Usher Board and the choir. After marriage, she joined Heavenly Temple COGIC continuing her growth in the Lord.
At her new Church Home, the late Bishop John L. Knight elevated her to leadership roles. She was appointed a Sunday School Teacher, Church Secretary,
President/Founder of the Junior Ushers’ Board, President of the YWCC and member of the choir. Under the pastorate of her husband the Bishop Kevin E. Knight, Sr. her service in ministry included President of the Women’s Ministry and Coordinator of “Dew In Morning Women’s Prayer”.
Presently she serves as chairperson of the finance Department and a financial secretary, Teacher of the Pastor’s New Members Support Class, President of the Young Women Christian Council, Coordinator of the Helping Hands, Warm Hearts Shelter Ministry, and Member of the Trustee Board. She was licensed as an Evangelist Missionary under the late Supervisor of Women Mother Vivian B. Wooden of New Jersey Third Jurisdiction.
Her service in ministry includes multiple areas:
Hudson Northeast District, NJ3rd Jurisdiction:
● She served in the District Women's Dept. as President of Pastors and Elder Wives
Circle and served as Public Relations & Program Chairperson.
For the NJ Third Jurisdiction, she served as:
● Secretary for the Clergy Wives Circle
● Executive Member of the Y.W.C.C.
● Marshal for the Women’s Department
she currently serves as:
● First Lady of Heavenly Temple Church of God in Christ and The New Jersey Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
● A member of the Commission for the Women’s Department.
● Advisor of The Jurisdiction Pastors’ and Elders’ Wives
Church Of God In Christ Internationally, she served as:
● President of the Wives of the President of the Regional Youth Department
● A member of the President Wives of the International Youth Department
● A member of the International Jurisdictional Secretary Wives Circle
she currently serves as:
● Active member of the Bishops’ Wives Circle
● Appointed Recording Ambassador 2020 for the Bishops’ Wives Circle by President Mother Yolanda Bryant.
Lastly, Lady Mary L. Knight lives daily by her favorite scripture Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct thy paths ~ She loves the Lord with all her heart, which is first and foremost and HIS people.~