Pastor Orlester Johnson, the son of Mrs. and the late Mr. Lincoln Johnson Jr., was born on February 26, 1956 in Memphis Tennessee. A member of Pentecostal Temple COGIC for twenty-six years, under the leadership of Bishop J.O. Patterson Sr., he served faithfully in the Security Department and was one of the first male nurses.
It was prophesied to the Johnsons at Elder Johnson's birth, that he would be their promised child. The declaration was made that he would do something specific. So, their expectations were very high. Orlester had to be one who was willing to forbear or able to control himself when provoked. God, in His infinite wisdom knew that in order for the promised to come to complete fruit, He had to give Orlester a sense of peace and contentment, brought on by a smile, brought on by the love that he shared with all he knows and especially brought on by laughter. WIth odds aganist him as a young black male coming up through times of struggle, times of heart-ache and heart breaks, Orlester was able to hold on only because of the strong religious teachings of his God-fearing parents. He truly believes that the prayers of the righteous availeth much!
After graduation from Mitchell Road High School in 1974, Orlester attended the Memphis Area Vocational Schaool and graduation with a trade. He was able to pursue a career at Lithograph Printing Company, He worked there for over eighteen years and excelled in Supervisory for eight.
After a while, Orlester realized God had His hand in his life. He humbly submitted to the will of God in a power-packed, Holy Ghost filled revival, conducted by Elder Albert Pass of Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1984. God saved him and filled him and he vowed, "Never to go back to the pea patch anymore!" as the sermon went. Yea, another prophesy went forth saying that "A quick work was going to be done-------a quick work".
GOD ordained him in 1989 AND SPOKE TO HIM AND SAID, "Go!" He accepted the call and is now the Pastor and Founder of Greater Faith Tabernacle COGIC, 4665 Auburn Road on Shelby Drive. He is also presently serving as the State Sunday Superintendent in the Headquarters Jurisdiction.
Orlester Johnson is the husband of one wife, JoAnn Poindexter-Johnson, the father of two sons and two daugthers and has four grandchildren.
