Bishop Roger Frank Gavin

Bishop Roger Frank Gavin, age 70, went home to be with the Lord on December 23, 2022.

Roger Frank Gavin was born March 14, 1952, in Parrish, Alabama, to Nettie and Johnny “Willie” Gavin. As a youngster, Roger lived with his Aunt Gussie and Uncle Louis White in Beckley, West Virginia, until he moved to Cleveland, Ohio as a teenager.  Roger attended Cleveland Public Schools and graduated from John Hay High School in 1971. Always thirsting for knowledge, he continued in secular and biblical studies throughout his life, attending Cuyahoga Community College, Aenon Bible College, Ohio School of Biblical Theology, and other distant learning studies.  Throughout his 42-year career, Roger was a loyal and dedicated employee to several organizations including Stay-Tight, AccuSpray, 3M Company, and JetBlue Airlines until he retired in April 2014.

In 1971, Roger was baptized in Jesus’ Name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost at BibleWay Temple of Prayer under the pastorate of the late Dr. James E. Nichols, Sr.  He served as Ordained Deacon with BibleWay Temple of Prayer for 5 years and was known to be loyal to the apostolic doctrine, discipleship and worship of Jesus Christ. He was the epitome of the Diaconate order (Deacons of all Deacons).  It was at BibleWay Temple of Prayer that Deacon Roger Gavin met Sis. Ethelyn Howard, and the two were joined in marriage on June 11, 1983.

Elevation came through ordination as an Elder by Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ World Wide, Inc. in 1989. Elder Gavin served as Assistant Pastor of BibleWay Community Church for 10 years prior to his pastoral installation in November 1998. Pastor Roger Gavin continued to build upon the foundation of the great men and women of God that had preceded him. As the years passed, the Lord continued the good work that He began, and Pastor Roger Gavin was elevated to District Elder for International Bible Way Church of Jesus Christ, Inc., in June 2010, and consecrated as a Bishop of IBWCOJC during its 60^th. Holy Convocation on July 7, 2017.

Bishop Gavin was a student of God’s word, man of faith, wisdom and compassion, and TRULY loved God’s people and had a heart for winning souls. He was recognized as a leader and active participant in IBW’s Northeast Ohio District and Ohio Diocese fellowships, and represented IBW among local apostolic fellowships by preaching, teaching, and conducting seminars promoting unity and encouraging men to take their rightful leadership position within the Body of Christ.

Bishop Gavin leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 39 years, Ethelyn; his siblings, Virgil Dell Flippen (George), Barbara J. Hightower (Calvin), Robert Jones, Linda Gavin Kizer, Johnny E. Gavin, Matthew Gavin, Dwayne Moore, Evette Moore, and Johnnie A. Gavin; a host of nieces and nephews who adored him as “Uncle Roger”; his beloved BibleWay Community Church family; and a host of relatives and friends. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Nettie Gavin and Johnny “Willie” Gavin; siblings Minnie Lee Irby-Tarver, Alphonso Irby, Eva Nell Hill, Robert Nunn, Johnnie Mae Smith, Cleve Gavin and James Ray Gavin-Bey.

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

St. John 11:25-26