OUR founder
At the age of 19, Roy Bryant, Sr. suffered from arthritis, which gave him a stooped walk. The cruel condition had eaten the tissues of his lower back. Despite medication, heating lamps, and wrappings prescribed by his doctor, he continued to suffer. Living with this condition, he describes as "hell on earth."
In September 1959, at the age of 33 years old, Roy Bryant, Sr. and his wife Sissieretta got into their family car and drove to Long Island to an outdoor tent meeting conducted by Jack Coe, a popular preacher at the time. He arrived at the meeting unconvinced of the healing power of God, however, he and his wife had gone up and knelt at the alter where Jack Coe was preaching, afterward they arose and returned to their seats. Suddenly, as he sat in his seat, an electric surge, like a bolt of lightning, went through him; from the top of his head down to his spine, and at that instant, he realized that he had been totally and irrevocably healed of all pain and discomfort. From this moment on, Roy Bryant, Sr. knew without the shadow of a doubt, that the healing power of Jesus Christ was unmistakably real. Finally, his years of pain and suffering were over. He went home feeling so good that he climbed the apple tree in his backyard.
Bishop Roy Bryant, Sr. recalled being raised in church as a boy. He also remembered the many people in need of healing who came with the hope that the Power of Jesus Christ would end their suffering. Yet God had healed him, even in his doubtfulness of the healing Power of God. He realized now that he had an agreement with God - since God had healed him, he would now give his life to God.
On the first Sunday of January 1960, he received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Thereafter, Bishop Roy Bryant, Sr. began to preach Christ, bringing the power of his own experience; the healing power of the Holy Ghost, to the people in countless hospitals, throughout the community, and in God’s timing, around the world. By 1966, Pastor Bryant was ordained a Bishop.
Now in 2018, he is the Founder, Pastor and Bishop of The Bible Church of Christ, Inc. Subsequently he has churches in the United States and abroad: Bronx, New York; Mt. Vernon, New York; Schenectady, New York; and Dagsboro, Delaware, as well as in Africa and Haiti.
church history
Because of the leading of the Holy Spirit, the young Roy Bryant's preaching was irresistible to people everywhere. Since his faith was so strong never doubting for a moment the "Vision" God had given him would come to past, God blessed his ministry enormously; even in the realm of miracles. Slowly, but surely, he gathered his congregation. They would meet regularly at his home; people were willing to sacrifice their time and show their faith. Roy Bryant, Sr. was constantly amazed and moved by those around him who shared his faith and love of God.
After six years of discovering and using his many gifts God has blessed him with (preaching, healing, deliverance and miracles) in the hospitals and in his home, he was ordained an Elder. God then directed him to obtain a church where healing, deliverance, miracles, and by the laying-on-of-hands, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit could be received by the masses. Therefore, led by the Holy Spirit, he began his search for a proper church and found and established in 1961, The Bible Church of Christ Inc. in the Bronx, New York. The power of this vision was undeniable and so he set out always led by the Holy Spirit to amplify and intensify his ministry. He carried the Word of God, the faith of Jesus Christ, and the Love of God everywhere he went. His first members were, his dedicated wife, Sissieretta and their five beautiful children.
By 1966, Pastor Bryant was ordained a Bishop. His Congregation had now grown so large . Now as a Bishop and Founder his work could go forward with greater focus and commitment.
However, in 1969, tragedy struck with a fire that consumed the church building, but by the Grace of God, the dedication of all its members, and Bishop Bryant's inspired leadership; the church was rebuilt. From the ashes of Morris Avenue, Bishop Roy Bryant, Sr. not only rebuilt, but gradually expanded, spreading the Word of God and its healing power to all parts of the northeast, then to places like Africa, India and Haiti. The "Vision" has no limits as he continues to bring his deep faith and healing to thousands of souls. The Bible Church of Christ, Inc. is now an international ministry with missions going forth throughout the world.
