RIP: Bishop Richard John “Mr. Clean” White Sr.

JGM was saddened to learn of the passing of Bishop Richard John “Mr. Clean” White Sr. on August 11, 2024. He was 80 years old.

The following biography was posted on Facebook by the Church of God in Christ:

Bishop Richard “Mr. Clean” White has been a mainstay in Gospel Music for nearly three decades; working with legends such as Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Rev. James Cleveland, the Winans, Dr. Bobby Jones, Walter and Edwin Hawkins, Ben Tankard, Tramaine Hawkins, Bishop Paul S. Morton and many more. Known as an anointed preacher and a gifted singer/songwriter, his presence in Traditional Gospel Music has been felt by the body of Christ for many generations.

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey on March 26, 1944, to the late Mr. John Thomas White and Mrs. Juanita L. Simmons White, Bishop White received his formative education in the Jersey City School System. He is a graduate of the Deliverance Evangelistic Bible School in Newark New Jersey and he received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the St. Paul Bible Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bishop White was saved in 1957 under the leadership of the late Apostle Arturo Skinner. He received his calling to the ministry in 1959 and was ordained in 1963 by Apostle Skinner. At the age of 15, he began his evangelistic ministry under the tutelage of Bishop Harold Benjamin. Bishop Benjamin, Rev. Isaac Patrick, and Rev. John Myers were mentors to Bishop White in the developing years of his ministry. The late Rev. John Lawrence was also a positive influence during these years. In December of 1969, the late Bishop C. H. Brewer, Sr. ordained him an Elder in the Church of God in Christ. Since that time he has traveled extensively throughout the United States and foreign countries representing the Church of God in Christ.

Bishop White served as finance chairman of the National Music Department under the leadership of the late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark for over 20 years. He has composed approximately 300 songs and writings and continues to minister to the body of Christ to this day. In an effort to promote Gospel Music worldwide, Bishop White serves on the Board of Directors for the largest gospel music workshop in the world, “The Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc.”

In 1988, the late Bishop J.D. Husband appointed Bishop White Pastor of Greater Hinsley Temple in Atlanta, GA. The name of the church was changed to Gospel Temple Church of God in Christ in 1989. Bishop Husband appointed him Superintendent of the Headquarters District and also appointed him an Administrative Assistant in the Central Georgia Jurisdiction. Bishop White continued to be an Administrative Assistant under Bishop C.D. Owens once he became the Bishop of the Central Georgia Jurisdiction. During this time, former Sheriff Richard Lankford appointed him a Chaplain of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department.

Bishop White has been an evangelist for fifty-two years and his unique ministry has blessed many souls during his travels. He has also ministered to men and women in various penal systems across the country. The late Bishop L.H. Ford appointed him vice-president of the Evangelist Department in 1995 and in 1997 Bishop Owens appointed him President of the Evangelist Department after the death of the former president, the late Elder Battles. In November 2000, he received his re-appointment as President of the Evangelist Department by Presiding Bishop G.E. Patterson. In December 2002 Evangelist Richard White was consecrated Bishop of the Bermuda Jurisdiction.

A survivor of triple bypass surgery and the removal of his gallbladder, Bishop White is truly a testimony of faith and perseverance. He has faced obstacles over the years that would have made many turn their back on Christ, but Bishop White saw every trial as a new opportunity to praise God for his power, mercy and grace.

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Funeral arrangements are forthcoming. Meanwhile, we ask everyone to keep the family, friends, church members, and many fans of Bishop Richard “Mr. Clean” White.