“For the Priests lips, should keep knowledge; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts.” – Malachi 2:7
A native of Tampa, Florida, Bishop Gilyard has spent over 35 years preaching 22 of them traveling the world as a full-time evangelist, prolific preacher and a revelatory teacher. Like Nehemiah, he is not afraid of the assignment which God has placed in his hands to accomplish. His burning vision is to see the lives of all mankind transformed by the revelation of God’s Word. His mantle is prophetic in purpose, apostolic in function, Pastoral in compassion and evangelistic in outreach.
Bishop Gilyard was apprenticed under the auspices of two generations of leaders in the Church of God in Christ. He was ordained as an Elder at the age of twenty by the late Bishop W.E. Davis, Jurisdictional Prelate of Southwestern Florida Church of God in Christ.
In November 2002, God compelled Bishop Gilyard to step into a new dimension of service in the office of Pastor, at which time Bethlehem Judah Christian Fellowship C.O.G.I.C. was established, upon the foundation of its CORE values: Love, Excellence, Generosity, Hospitality, and Service.
April 2008, only five years after the birth of Bethlehem-Judah, God favored and blessed him to facilitate the purchase of a $1.5 million-dollar worship facility with administrative offices and a gymnasium in Elizabeth N.J. It was exceptional growth from its ten founding members to nearly 500 weekly worshipers.
On November 13, 2016, the High honor was bestowed upon him through the kindness of Bishop William T. Cahoon, Prelate New Garden State Jurisdiction who recommended him to the office of Auxiliary Bishop and was consecrated by Presiding Chief Apostle Bishop Charles E. Blake in St. Louis, Missouri.
Our Bishop is honored to serve as the Corresponding Secretary to the Board of Bishops (COGIC) and a member of the Standard and Extension Committee of COGIC General Assembly.
On February 22, 2021, Bishop Anthony W. Gilyard was recommended for Jurisdictional Prelate this was to the date 34 years from the date of his ordination as an Elder by the Founder the late Bishop W.E. Davis of the Jurisdiction of Southwestern Florida. On February 26, 2021, the Presiding Bishop and General Board met and unanimously accepted the recommendation. Bishop Anthony W. Gilyard took over the reins of this Jurisdiction after the passing of Bishop Matthew Williams Prelate and General Board Member.
On March 24, 2021, he was appointed Pastor of Brown Memorial COGIC and Jurisdictional Prelate by Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of the COGIC, J. Drew Sheard. Bishop Anthony W. Gilyard’s grandfather the late Pastor J.B. Brown founded the church and served as pastor from 1934-1968. His father, the late Pastor W.W. Gilyard served as pastor, 1968-1985. His first cousin, the late Bishop Matthew Williams served as pastor 1985-2020.
He currently serves as the Founding Pastor of Bethlehem Judah Christian Fellowship COGIC in Elizabeth, NJ.
Bishop Gilyard holds a Master’s degree in theology however, his wealth of ecclesiastical experience emanates from his many years of service to the church and community. He is also a member of the John C. Maxwell leadership training program.
Nothing is more influential in shaping and molding our world than a yielded vessel to carry the message of Christ’s hope and deliverance for all. These attributes are found in Bishop Anthony W. Gilyard.