Suffragan Bishop Joshua L. Cotton___________________________
In July of 2001: The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, incorporated, promoted
District Elder Joshua L. Cotton to the office of Suffragan Bishop. He will serve as assistant to the Diocesan 16th Episcopal District, Bishop Henry L. Johnson. And as a consultant to our new District Elder Houston Crenshaw, D.D.
This is how it began all those many years ago..............Eld. Joshua L. Cotton and his family lived in Tulare, Calif. He was working as a plumber. He was a young minister in Mount Zion Apostolic Church under the leadership of pastor, Eld. W.N. Hill.
In June of 1962, the Spirit of God moved on Elder Cotton and he moved to Hanford, California, and started having Sunday school in his living room at 376 San Madina Drive.
During this time, there were many outside revivals held on Jordan Way, where the Gospel was preached to all those who would hear. Eventually, services were moved to Coe Park.
Finally, in 1963, Golden Harvest Apostolic Church was founded at 11914 2nd Place. Mortgage burning ceremonies were conducted a few years later.
The dinning room was completed in 1967
Suffragan Bishop J. L. Cotton "Telling the world about Jesus every where I go is my sincere calling and goal". A Tribute America' Christian Heritage Month Celebrates Golden Harvest apostolic Church and Pastor, Suffragan Bishop Joshua L. Cotton; As the saints of God in America know is a great country in which we live because of God's abundant grace and blessings upon our nation. many people---presently and historically---have come from near and far, risking life and limb, just to partake of our freedom to worship the one true and living God. The freedom and liberty we enjoy here is unlike any other country in the entire world. We are truly blessed! Thank you, Eld. Cotton, for your serving your country in the armed forces, for helping to keep America free! In celebration America's Christian Heritage Month (the month of November). we present to you and the Golden harvest Congregation a framed rendition of our National Motto to be displaced in your church facility or office. Our National Motto keeps us united as a people and as a nation, just as trust in God's Word keeps us united in the Body of Christ. It reminds the Church of our aim and guiding rule. Knowing the One who guides us is especially important during this time when our Nations at war against both foreign and domestic terrorism. We encourage you as spiritual leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ to continue to lead the People of God to trust Him more each day. Inscribed on America's Liberty bell is the scripture Leviticus 25:10 - "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land..."; and we know that Liberty can only be maintained in our nation when the Lord God is acknowledged, for "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty" (2 Corinthians 3:17b). Historically, the Church in America has been instrumental in shaping the good moral values of our nation, and we must continue to be the ones who can lead a dying world to the Savior, Jesus Christ. Many evil forces are at work in our world and America today trying their best to destroy all that is of the Lord God: They want to remove God from our public schools, public life and even from the Church! We must stand strong against this enemy! We are encouraged by Nehemiah 4:14,20 - "Be not afraid of them: remember the Lord, Who is great and terrible, and fight for your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses ...Our God shall fight for us,"(KJV) Thank you for earnestly contending for the faith which was ONCE delivered to the saints! Thank you for preaching and teaching the truth of the One True and Living God, One Faith & One Baptism without compromise! As you continue to lead His Flock, we will rejoice to see many of God's people, young & old, becoming more involved in spiritual things, fighting the good fight of faith and making a major difference in the moral integrity of America, As Alexis de Tocqueville said: "America is great because she is good; when America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great." We must have men and women of godly character to represent The Church of the Living God, to help lead our country in the right direction; for "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn." (Proverbs 29:2) We also find in Proverbs 28:28: "When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase". As you preach the pure Word of God, may the righteous increase in your congregation, your community, and in this Great nation! US Supreme Court Justice Peter Marshall proclaimed: "Freedom is not the right to do as one pleases, but the opportunity to please to do what is right. For the blessing of peace is not the product of politics; but a fruit of righteousness. God's order is always righteousness and peace--not peace and righteousness," King Solomon of Israel wrote: "Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34) The Church in America must realize that we will remain free only when we do the right thing! "It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free - their passions forge their fetters," according to Edmund Burke. We are also admonished by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:12 & 24 to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." We need not fear the years ahead, for Jesus has overcome the world, and will help us to do the same: "We are more that conquers through Him that loved us." (Romans 8:37 "Thanks be unto God who, always causes us to triumph in Christ." (2 Corinthians2:14 "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ," (1 Corinthians 15:57 Edmund Burke speaks again: "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing." God has called us unto love and to good works! We must not surrender to the power of the wicked one, but put forth all diligent effort to stand against evil in every area of life. Thank you, for taking a stand for what is right! The present and future generations will benefit from your and our good work that is done today. Love, Written By: K. Brown of Los Vegas Nevada
In July of 1980, the California/Nevada District Council promoted Elder Joshua L. Cotton to District Elder over the Eight District, which encompassed Hanford, Lemoore, Tulare, Wasco, Corcoran and Bakersfield.
Churches that grew out of Golden Harvest Ministries were:
Lily of the Valley, Lemoore, California, Bishop Glenn Neal Pastor, (original Pastor was Elder I.E. Owens, a Church of God in Christ minister who was baptized in Jesus name by Elder Cotton). Mount Zion Temple, Tulare, California, Elder Charles Gamble, Pastor; New Light Temple Mission, Lemoore, California, Elder Marcel Thomas, Pastor, Light House Pentecostal Church, Bakersfield, California, Elder Donald Vereen, Pastor.
Many other ministries have passed through "The Golden Harvest" and are now serving God in churches all across the United States. In the year 2005 Suffragan Bishop chose to pass the BANNER of leader-ship to his 2nd son Elder Michael James Cotton, who has been a faithful supporter to his dad, he will carry on the work for the Lord.
God Bless You Pastor Mike
Elder Michael James Cotton is available for you in need of prayers, encouragement and counseling. Feel free to call him. Please call : (559) 583-0211 to speak with him or e-mail him at hanfordharvest@hotmail.com
Following the Biblical maxim that it is more blessed to give than to receive, Golden Harvest Apostolic Church, located in the Home-Garden neighborhood, gave baskets to children and families in Home-Garden and Kings terrace neighborhood.
"We just want the church to be more active and more visible in the neighborhood," said Sis. Ora V. Cotton former First Lady of Golden Harvest
According to Eva Boyd, Sis. Ora Cotton had a goal of giving away 25 baskets, but the church members donated enough material to create 30 baskets.
"The children were glad to get the baskets," said Boyd.
Pastured by Suffragan Bishop Joshua l. cotton, Golden Harvest has been based in Home-garden for over 40 years. (Submitted by Minster Billy Thomas)
OUR GOAL IS TO REACH OUT TO THOSE IN NEED. Pastor Mike will continue these services in our community
Let us serve the Lord by doing for others.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FLY LIKE A DOVE, OR SING LIKE AN ANGEL FROM THE LORD UP ABOVE. BUT WE KNOW THAT WE WERE PUT HERE FOR A REASON.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PREACH LIKE PAUL, OR PRAY LIKE DANIEL TO THE LORD UP ABOVE. BUT WE KNOW THAT WE WERE PUT HERE FOR A REASON.
OUR HANDS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED, AND TO CARRY THE CROSS FOR THE LORD. OUR EYES HAVE BEEN MADE TO SEEK OUT THOSE WHO ARE LOST. WE KNOW THAT WE WERE PUT HERE FOR A REASON
Helping Hands
Reaching
Out
Helping
