Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem
New York NY
10027-3810
Who we are
What We Believe
The Holy Scriptures
We believe that all Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments is God’s Written revelation to man. We believe that the whole Bible is inspired by holy men of God who were “moved by the Holy Spirit" to write the very words of Scripture. This makes it absolutely inerrant, infallible, and the only true rule of faith and practice for the believer. (Matthew 5:18; 24: 35; John 10:35; 16: 12, 13; 17: 17; 1 Corinthians 2: 13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4: 12; 2 Peter 1: 20, 21).
The Triune Godhead
We believe in the only true and living God: the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, and He has chosen to reveal Himself to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6: 4; Isaiah 43: 10, 11; Luke 3: 22; 1 Corinthians 8: 4; Matthew 28: 19; 2 Corinthians 13: 14).
The Father: God, as Father, sovereignly reigns over His entire universe with providential care. He is all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing, and all-wise. He is Creator of all, but is Father to all who have become children of God through Jesus Christ – the One who delivers them into the Father’s hands. (Genesis 1:1; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 6:9; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Corinthians 15: 24; Ephesians 4:6)
The Son: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin so that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. He accomplished this redemption by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God’s righteous judgment against sin. After substantiating the accomplishment of that redemption and justification by His bodily resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of His Father where He intercedes on behalf of those who trust Him. As the Mediator between God and man, the head of the Body the church, and the coming universal King, who will reign on the throne of David, Jesus Christ the Son is the final judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior. We teach that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God, (Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1, 2, 14, 18; Romans 3:24 -26; Romans 8: 3; 1 Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 1: 22; 5: 23; Colossians 1: 18; Isaiah 9: 6; Matthew 25: 14, 46; Acts 17: 30, 31; Romans 3: 25; 5: 8, 9; 2 Corinthians 5: 14, 15; 1 Peter 2: 24; 3: 18)
The Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, thereby glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead and transforms believers into the image of Christ. He baptizes (or places) all believers into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ. He instructs, sanctifies, and empowers believers for service. The Holy Spirit can be grieved, bear witness, and teach. His role is fundamental to the Christian life.
The Holy Spirit indwells believers permanently, and seals them unto the day of final redemption. He bestows spiritual gifts upon them, and he fills (controls) those who are yielding to Him. Every believer is called to be filled and to live in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit so that they can be an effective witness for the Kingdom of God, so that they not fulfill the lust of the flesh, and so that they will bear the fruit of the Spirit to the glory of God. (John 3:3-8; 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-11; Acts 1:8; Acts 2: 1-4; Romans 8: 9; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13; 2 Corinthians 3: 6; Ephesians 1: 13; 4: 30; 5: 18, I John 5:7)
Man
We believe that God created man in His image: spirit, soul, and body. Scripture confirms that Man is not the product of evolution. Man was created free of sin and with a moral responsibility to God. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were upright in their originally created state. They naturally preferred and desired to obey their Creator and had no preference or desire to go against His will until they were influenced and inclined by Satan to disobey God’s commands. Before this, the only tendency of their nature was to berighteous. As a consequence of their first transgression, the state under which Adam’s offspring came into the world is so different from that of Adam. They do not have the righteousness and purity which Adam had before the fall; they are not willing to obey God, but are inclined to evil. Hence, we believe that no one, by virtue of any natural goodness and mere work of their own, can become the children of God. (Genesis 1:26-31; 3: 1-7; Ecclesiastes 7: 29; Psalm 51: 5; John 6: 44; Romans 5: 12-21; 1 Corinthians 2: 14)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is wholly of God by His grace on the basis of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the merit of His shed blood; not on the basis of human merit or works. Salvation frees the believer from the penalty, power and, ultimately, from the very presence of sin. All who trust Jesus as Lord and Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (John 1: 12, 13; John 3:16; Romans 5: 8; Romans 10: 9, 10; Ephesians 1: 7; 2: 8, 10; 1 Peter 1: 18, 19)
Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, believers are set apart as partakers of His Holiness; that it is begun at regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts and lives of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the continual use of the appointed means especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. (1 Thessalonians 4: 3; 1 John 2: 29; Romans 8: 5; Philippians 2: 12-13)
Regeneration
We believe that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given when the repentant sinner responds in faith by the Holy Spirit to the provision of salvation. This instantaneous work is evident in the believer’s submissiveness to the Holy Spirit and their obedience to the Word of God, which causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 5: 24; 2 Corinthians 5: 17; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Peter 1; 3, 4; 1 John 3: 2, 3)
Justification
We believe that justification is an act of God by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sin. This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man, and involves the imputation of our sins to Christ, and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us. (Romans 8: 33; Romans 5: 1; Romans 4: 5; Ephesians 2: 8, 9; 2 Corinthians 5: 21)
Prayer
We believe that there is power in prayer. The power of our prayer life will determine the outcome of our progress as believers. We must live with confidence and purpose, knowing that if we pray according to God’s Word, we are guaranteed results. Prayer is found throughout Scripture and signifies communication with God essential to our Christian walk. Having a lifestyle of prayer and learning to pray “not my will but thy will be done” not only helps us, the believers, to live victorious lives but also draws others to Christ. (Luke 18: 1; Colossians 4: 2; Matthew 21: 22; Matthew 26: 41; James 5: 13; James 5: 16; Luke 21: 36; 1 Thessalonians 5: 17; Matthew 5: 44; 1 John 5: 14; Philippians 4: 6, 7)
Divine Healing & Miracles
We believe that divine healing is that act of healing which occurs to cure an individual who is suffering from a sickness, disease or infirmity of the body. The act of healing proceeds directly from God and is, therefore, a work of the Holy Spirit and upon its manifestation, brings glory to God. A miracle is an extraordinary event produced by God that cannot be explained by any natural means. (Isaiah 53: 4, 5; Matthew 8: 16, 17; Mark 16: 17, 18; James 5: 14, 15; John 11: 1-46; Acts 3: 1-10; Joshua 10: 12-15; 2 Kings 4: 1-7; 1 Corinthians 12: 9-11.
The Christian Walk
We believe that we have a holy calling to walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. In order to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit, we must choose to keep the flesh under subjection to Christ and that we must allow Christ, through His Spirit, to develop our Christian character. (Romans 6: 11-13; Romans 8: 9-13; Galatians 5: 16- 23; Ephesians 4: 1- 4; 1 Peter 1: 14-16; 1 John 3: 5- 9)
The Church
We believe that the Church (the “ecclesia” meaning the “called out ones”) is the Body of Christ, made up of all born again believers of which Christ is the Head. The purpose of the Church is to glorify God by building itself up in the faith, by instruction of the Word, by fellowship, by keeping the ordinances and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world. (1 Corinthians 12: 12, 13; 2 Corinthians 11: 2; Ephesians 5: 23; Ephesians 1: 22; Colossians 1: 18; Ephesians 4: 11-16; 2 Timothy 2: 2; Acts 2: 38; Matthew 28: 19; Acts 1: 8)
Ordinances of the Church
Water Baptism
Christian baptism by immersion is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth their faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and signifies their union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is also symbolic of the washing away of sin, and is a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ.
The Lord’s Supper (also The Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion):
The Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of the Lord’s death until He comes, and should always be preceded by solemn self examination. (Acts 2: 38; Acts 8: 36-39; Colossians 2: 11, 12; John 6: 48, 51, 53-57; Luke 22: 19-20; 1 Corinthians 11: 23-33)
Tithe and Offering
We believe that the tithe is a tenth of one’s earnings and is the God-given charge to all believers. The tithe is the portion that belongs to the Lord according to His command. When we give it to God, we provide for His work, we prove His faithfulness, and we show Him honor as the Source of all we possess. In Scripture, the tithe was instituted so that the priest and the temple of God were supported. The same is true today. By giving God 10% of our weekly, bi-weekly or monthly gross income, we provide a means of caring for the Bishop and supporting the ongoing work of the ministry. All that we have is a gift from God, therefore, the tithe is merely a portion of what God has already given to us. The offering is the extra that is offered to God in addition to the tithe. The tithe and offering are channels by which God blesses His people, so all giving should be with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. (Genesis 14: 18; Leviticus 27: 30; Deuteronomy 14: 22-24; Malachi 3: 8-11; Matthew 23: 23; 1 Corinthians 16: 2; 2 Corinthians 9: 7)
The Last Things to Come
We believe in the blessed hope, the personal and imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to rapture His saints from this earth. We believe in the visible and bodily return of Christ to the earth with His saints to establish His promised millennial kingdom. We believe in the physical resurrection of all men; the saints to everlasting joy and bliss on the New Earth, and the wicked to eternal punishment in the lake of fire. Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever, (Titus 2: 13; 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Zechariah 14: 4-11; 1 Thessalonians 1: 10; Revelation 3: 10, 19: 11-16, 20: 1-6; Matthew 25: 46; John 5: 28-29; Revelation 20: 5, 6, 12, 13; 1 Corinthians 15: 24, 28)
The Holy Scriptures
We believe that all Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments is God’s Written revelation to man. We believe that the whole Bible is inspired by holy men of God who were “moved by the Holy Spirit" to write the very words of Scripture. This makes it absolutely inerrant, infallible, and the only true rule of faith and practice for the believer. (Matthew 5:18; 24: 35; John 10:35; 16: 12, 13; 17: 17; 1 Corinthians 2: 13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4: 12; 2 Peter 1: 20, 21).
The Triune Godhead
We believe in the only true and living God: the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, and He has chosen to reveal Himself to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6: 4; Isaiah 43: 10, 11; Luke 3: 22; 1 Corinthians 8: 4; Matthew 28: 19; 2 Corinthians 13: 14).
The Father: God, as Father, sovereignly reigns over His entire universe with providential care. He is all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing, and all-wise. He is Creator of all, but is Father to all who have become children of God through Jesus Christ – the One who delivers them into the Father’s hands. (Genesis 1:1; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 6:9; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Corinthians 15: 24; Ephesians 4:6)
The Holy Spirit indwells believers permanently, and seals them unto the day of final redemption. He bestows spiritual gifts upon them, and he fills (controls) those who are yielding to Him. Every believer is called to be filled and to live in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit so that they can be an effective witness for the Kingdom of God, so that they not fulfill the lust of the flesh, and so that they will bear the fruit of the Spirit to the glory of God. (John 3:3-8; 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-11; Acts 1:8; Acts 2: 1-4; Romans 8: 9; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13; 2 Corinthians 3: 6; Ephesians 1: 13; 4: 30; 5: 18, I John 5:7)
We believe that God created man in His image: spirit, soul, and body. Scripture confirms that Man is not the product of evolution. Man was created free of sin and with a moral responsibility to God. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were upright in their originally created state. They naturally preferred and desired to obey their Creator and had no preference or desire to go against His will until they were influenced and inclined by Satan to disobey God’s commands. Before this, the only tendency of their nature was to berighteous. As a consequence of their first transgression, the state under which Adam’s offspring came into the world is so different from that of Adam. They do not have the righteousness and purity which Adam had before the fall; they are not willing to obey God, but are inclined to evil. Hence, we believe that no one, by virtue of any natural goodness and mere work of their own, can become the children of God. (Genesis 1:26-31; 3: 1-7; Ecclesiastes 7: 29; Psalm 51: 5; John 6: 44; Romans 5: 12-21; 1 Corinthians 2: 14)
We believe that salvation is wholly of God by His grace on the basis of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the merit of His shed blood; not on the basis of human merit or works. Salvation frees the believer from the penalty, power and, ultimately, from the very presence of sin. All who trust Jesus as Lord and Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (John 1: 12, 13; John 3:16; Romans 5: 8; Romans 10: 9, 10; Ephesians 1: 7; 2: 8, 10; 1 Peter 1: 18, 19)
Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, believers are set apart as partakers of His Holiness; that it is begun at regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts and lives of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the continual use of the appointed means especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. (1 Thessalonians 4: 3; 1 John 2: 29; Romans 8: 5; Philippians 2: 12-13)
Regeneration
We believe that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given when the repentant sinner responds in faith by the Holy Spirit to the provision of salvation. This instantaneous work is evident in the believer’s submissiveness to the Holy Spirit and their obedience to the Word of God, which causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 5: 24; 2 Corinthians 5: 17; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Peter 1; 3, 4; 1 John 3: 2, 3)
We believe that justification is an act of God by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sin. This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man, and involves the imputation of our sins to Christ, and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us. (Romans 8: 33; Romans 5: 1; Romans 4: 5; Ephesians 2: 8, 9; 2 Corinthians 5: 21)
Prayer
We believe that there is power in prayer. The power of our prayer life will determine the outcome of our progress as believers. We must live with confidence and purpose, knowing that if we pray according to God’s Word, we are guaranteed results. Prayer is found throughout Scripture and signifies communication with God essential to our Christian walk. Having a lifestyle of prayer and learning to pray “not my will but thy will be done” not only helps us, the believers, to live victorious lives but also draws others to Christ. (Luke 18: 1; Colossians 4: 2; Matthew 21: 22; Matthew 26: 41; James 5: 13; James 5: 16; Luke 21: 36; 1 Thessalonians 5: 17; Matthew 5: 44; 1 John 5: 14; Philippians 4: 6, 7)
Divine Healing & Miracles
We believe that divine healing is that act of healing which occurs to cure an individual who is suffering from a sickness, disease or infirmity of the body. The act of healing proceeds directly from God and is, therefore, a work of the Holy Spirit and upon its manifestation, brings glory to God. A miracle is an extraordinary event produced by God that cannot be explained by any natural means. (Isaiah 53: 4, 5; Matthew 8: 16, 17; Mark 16: 17, 18; James 5: 14, 15; John 11: 1-46; Acts 3: 1-10; Joshua 10: 12-15; 2 Kings 4: 1-7; 1 Corinthians 12: 9-11.
We believe that we have a holy calling to walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. In order to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit, we must choose to keep the flesh under subjection to Christ and that we must allow Christ, through His Spirit, to develop our Christian character. (Romans 6: 11-13; Romans 8: 9-13; Galatians 5: 16- 23; Ephesians 4: 1- 4; 1 Peter 1: 14-16; 1 John 3: 5- 9)
The Church
We believe that the Church (the “ecclesia” meaning the “called out ones”) is the Body of Christ, made up of all born again believers of which Christ is the Head. The purpose of the Church is to glorify God by building itself up in the faith, by instruction of the Word, by fellowship, by keeping the ordinances and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world. (1 Corinthians 12: 12, 13; 2 Corinthians 11: 2; Ephesians 5: 23; Ephesians 1: 22; Colossians 1: 18; Ephesians 4: 11-16; 2 Timothy 2: 2; Acts 2: 38; Matthew 28: 19; Acts 1: 8)
Ordinances of the Church
Water Baptism
Christian baptism by immersion is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth their faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and signifies their union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is also symbolic of the washing away of sin, and is a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ.
Tithe and Offering
We believe that the tithe is a tenth of one’s earnings and is the God-given charge to all believers. The tithe is the portion that belongs to the Lord according to His command. When we give it to God, we provide for His work, we prove His faithfulness, and we show Him honor as the Source of all we possess. In Scripture, the tithe was instituted so that the priest and the temple of God were supported. The same is true today. By giving God 10% of our weekly, bi-weekly or monthly gross income, we provide a means of caring for the Bishop and supporting the ongoing work of the ministry. All that we have is a gift from God, therefore, the tithe is merely a portion of what God has already given to us. The offering is the extra that is offered to God in addition to the tithe. The tithe and offering are channels by which God blesses His people, so all giving should be with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. (Genesis 14: 18; Leviticus 27: 30; Deuteronomy 14: 22-24; Malachi 3: 8-11; Matthew 23: 23; 1 Corinthians 16: 2; 2 Corinthians 9: 7)
We believe in the blessed hope, the personal and imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to rapture His saints from this earth. We believe in the visible and bodily return of Christ to the earth with His saints to establish His promised millennial kingdom. We believe in the physical resurrection of all men; the saints to everlasting joy and bliss on the New Earth, and the wicked to eternal punishment in the lake of fire. Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever, (Titus 2: 13; 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Zechariah 14: 4-11; 1 Thessalonians 1: 10; Revelation 3: 10, 19: 11-16, 20: 1-6; Matthew 25: 46; John 5: 28-29; Revelation 20: 5, 6, 12, 13; 1 Corinthians 15: 24, 28)
Church Website
Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem on Social Media
Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem YouTube Video
Leadership
Leader Name:
Ronald Hopkins
Leader Position:
Bishop
Phone:
Fax:
212-426-2885
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Ronald Hopkins
Leader Bio:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. (Rom. 8:28)
Born in the Bronx on December 10, 1962 Bishop Ronald Hopkins was raised in a Christian home where church was a way of life, at the age of nine Ronald accepted Christ as his personal Savior, and was filled with the Holy Ghost. He was taught about Holiness and learned the meaning of service through the examples set by his parents, Leroy and Dorothy Hopkins; under the leadership of Bishop Rosa A. Horn, Pastor of the Mount Calvary Pentecostal Faith Church.
When Ronald was 19, the Hopkins family moved their church membership to The True Vine Tabernacle of God, where his uncle, the late Samuel Manigault, was pastor. It was there that he fully understood the privilege of working for the Kingdom through active service, and functioned as both a choir member and drummer. It was also there that he reconnected with his childhood friend and future wife, Tracy Ricks, with whom he had worshipped in his early years at Mount Calvary.
Through a series of providential events, Ronald and Tracy along with their two small children were led to the Pilgrim Church. In 1989, Ronald became an active worshipper of this body of believers and, remembering the specific call to service, became a choir member. Worship life at Pilgrim Church was busy, engaging and intense. Bishop Brown’s teaching served to teach him more about rendering true worship to God through giving, lifestyle and service.
Elder Charles Reed, also a Pilgrim member, stood out as a key influence in Ronald’s spiritual development as a kind, faithful; and pleasant brother in Christ; and as a committed assistant to Bishop Brown. This was also a time of learning as Ronald watched Bishop Brown, Elder Reed and (then) Elder George Shorts labor joyfully in full-time ministry. The desire to serve in that capacity was planted…
“Here [is] Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.” (2 Kings 3:11b)
Following the Lord’s leading, on October 18, 1992, Bishop Brown planted a Pilgrim Church in the Harlem community, appointing Elder Reed as pastor, and later elevating him to the office of bishop. On that inaugural day in a loft space located at 1941 Madison Avenue, Bishop Brown issued an invitation for volunteers from the Father Church to unite with the Harlem Church, Ronald along with Tracy and their two children stood up.
Although he had not planned the move, his willingness to yield immediately to the Lord’s voice was the beginning of an even greater manifestation of God’s sovereignty in his life.
As a founding member of the Pilgrim Church of Harlem, Ronald served as choir member, drummer, head trustee, and along with Sister Arlene Mitchell and Sister Cheryl Campbell, comprised the Harlem church’s first Praise and Worship team. With Bishop Reed’s stellar example as assistant to Bishop Brown, Ronald became adjutant to Bishop Reed, considering it an honor to render service to the servant of the Lord. After serving many years working in the secular world for the U.S. Postal Service, Bishop Reed identified the greater calling on Ronald’s life.
Through Bishop Reed’s sound teaching and gentle guidance and in obedience to God’s still, small voice, Ronald accepted appointments as member of the Diaconate in 1997, full-time Church Administrator in 1999, and Minister of the Gospel in 2003. He also earned Certificates of Completion for various courses of study in the Adjutants’ Academy conferred by the Joint College of African American Pentecostal Bishops in 1995, 2000, and 2006; appointment as Executive Chief Adjutant of Pilgrim Assemblies, International in 2002; and his Ministerial License in January 2007.
After the passing of Bishop Reed Archbishop Brown was pricked by the Holy Spirit and Ronald Hopkins was ordained and installed as Senior Pastor on December 8, 2007; consecrated to the office of Bishop July 10, 2010. The transition to being a pastor wasn’t easy; but Ronald often testifies to the fact that being faithful to God and leadership brings about countless blessings; and he counts it a privilege to be chosen by God, and is forever depending on God to lead him to his destiny.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jer. 29:11)
Bishop Hopkins is thankful to God for his loving wife Tracy; children Joshua and Shikeya; and grandchildren, Joshaneé, Sean and Taylor. Bishop Hopkins says, “Every day when I wake up, I am again humbled that the Lord would choose me to lead his people. After years of running from this call on my life, I have run directly into God’s purpose and plan for me. I look forward to being a part of God’s program as he moves the Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem to greater glory. I don’t feel adequate or qualified enough, but God chooses the foolish to confound the wise and no flesh will get glory.”
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where [is] the wise? Where [is] the scribe? Where [is] the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? – (1 Cor. 1.19-20)
Born in the Bronx on December 10, 1962 Bishop Ronald Hopkins was raised in a Christian home where church was a way of life, at the age of nine Ronald accepted Christ as his personal Savior, and was filled with the Holy Ghost. He was taught about Holiness and learned the meaning of service through the examples set by his parents, Leroy and Dorothy Hopkins; under the leadership of Bishop Rosa A. Horn, Pastor of the Mount Calvary Pentecostal Faith Church.
When Ronald was 19, the Hopkins family moved their church membership to The True Vine Tabernacle of God, where his uncle, the late Samuel Manigault, was pastor. It was there that he fully understood the privilege of working for the Kingdom through active service, and functioned as both a choir member and drummer. It was also there that he reconnected with his childhood friend and future wife, Tracy Ricks, with whom he had worshipped in his early years at Mount Calvary.
Through a series of providential events, Ronald and Tracy along with their two small children were led to the Pilgrim Church. In 1989, Ronald became an active worshipper of this body of believers and, remembering the specific call to service, became a choir member. Worship life at Pilgrim Church was busy, engaging and intense. Bishop Brown’s teaching served to teach him more about rendering true worship to God through giving, lifestyle and service.
Elder Charles Reed, also a Pilgrim member, stood out as a key influence in Ronald’s spiritual development as a kind, faithful; and pleasant brother in Christ; and as a committed assistant to Bishop Brown. This was also a time of learning as Ronald watched Bishop Brown, Elder Reed and (then) Elder George Shorts labor joyfully in full-time ministry. The desire to serve in that capacity was planted…
“Here [is] Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.” (2 Kings 3:11b)
Following the Lord’s leading, on October 18, 1992, Bishop Brown planted a Pilgrim Church in the Harlem community, appointing Elder Reed as pastor, and later elevating him to the office of bishop. On that inaugural day in a loft space located at 1941 Madison Avenue, Bishop Brown issued an invitation for volunteers from the Father Church to unite with the Harlem Church, Ronald along with Tracy and their two children stood up.
Although he had not planned the move, his willingness to yield immediately to the Lord’s voice was the beginning of an even greater manifestation of God’s sovereignty in his life.
As a founding member of the Pilgrim Church of Harlem, Ronald served as choir member, drummer, head trustee, and along with Sister Arlene Mitchell and Sister Cheryl Campbell, comprised the Harlem church’s first Praise and Worship team. With Bishop Reed’s stellar example as assistant to Bishop Brown, Ronald became adjutant to Bishop Reed, considering it an honor to render service to the servant of the Lord. After serving many years working in the secular world for the U.S. Postal Service, Bishop Reed identified the greater calling on Ronald’s life.
Through Bishop Reed’s sound teaching and gentle guidance and in obedience to God’s still, small voice, Ronald accepted appointments as member of the Diaconate in 1997, full-time Church Administrator in 1999, and Minister of the Gospel in 2003. He also earned Certificates of Completion for various courses of study in the Adjutants’ Academy conferred by the Joint College of African American Pentecostal Bishops in 1995, 2000, and 2006; appointment as Executive Chief Adjutant of Pilgrim Assemblies, International in 2002; and his Ministerial License in January 2007.
After the passing of Bishop Reed Archbishop Brown was pricked by the Holy Spirit and Ronald Hopkins was ordained and installed as Senior Pastor on December 8, 2007; consecrated to the office of Bishop July 10, 2010. The transition to being a pastor wasn’t easy; but Ronald often testifies to the fact that being faithful to God and leadership brings about countless blessings; and he counts it a privilege to be chosen by God, and is forever depending on God to lead him to his destiny.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jer. 29:11)
Bishop Hopkins is thankful to God for his loving wife Tracy; children Joshua and Shikeya; and grandchildren, Joshaneé, Sean and Taylor. Bishop Hopkins says, “Every day when I wake up, I am again humbled that the Lord would choose me to lead his people. After years of running from this call on my life, I have run directly into God’s purpose and plan for me. I look forward to being a part of God’s program as he moves the Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem to greater glory. I don’t feel adequate or qualified enough, but God chooses the foolish to confound the wise and no flesh will get glory.”
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where [is] the wise? Where [is] the scribe? Where [is] the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? – (1 Cor. 1.19-20)
Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem Service Times
Morning Glory Bible Study: Sunday 9:30 a.m.
Corporate Prayer: Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Corporate Worship Experience: Sunday 11:00 a.m.
Music & Fine Arts Ministry Rehearsal: Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
Corporate Prayer: Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
New Members Orientation: Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Corporate Bible Study: Wednesday 8:00 p.m.
Missions, Evangelism & Outreach: 2nd Saturday 12 noon
The LifeSavers Children’s Church: 2nd Sunday 11:00 a.m.
Ordinance of Baptism: 3rd Friday
Ordinance of Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday
Evening Worship Experience: Last Friday of each month
Monthly Birthday Recognition: Last Sunday of each month
It's been more than 5 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Corporate Prayer: Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Corporate Worship Experience: Sunday 11:00 a.m.
Music & Fine Arts Ministry Rehearsal: Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
Corporate Prayer: Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
New Members Orientation: Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Corporate Bible Study: Wednesday 8:00 p.m.
Missions, Evangelism & Outreach: 2nd Saturday 12 noon
The LifeSavers Children’s Church: 2nd Sunday 11:00 a.m.
Ordinance of Baptism: 3rd Friday
Ordinance of Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday
Evening Worship Experience: Last Friday of each month
Monthly Birthday Recognition: Last Sunday of each month
It's been more than 5 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Forgive us
O God, forgive the poverty and the pettiness of our prayers . Listen not to our words but to the yearnings of our hearts. Hear beneath our petitions the crying of our need.
Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem listing was last updated on the 6th of June, 2018
