History of our Church
Superintendent T.S. Smith and Missionary Mardella Smith served faithfully at Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ under the tutelage and leadership of Bishop E. B. Stewart. From 1946 to 1956, Superintendent T.S. Smith and Missionary Mardella Smith were known for conducting Holy Ghost filled revivals across Los Angeles.
In 1956, Superintendent Smith received the call from the Lord to establish his ministry. Upon answering the call, Superintendent T.S. Smith and Missionary Mardella Smith stepped out on faith, founding Evangelist Prayer Center Church of God in Christ, located at 9707 S. Compton Ave. in Los Angeles.
Through the grace of God, Superintendent T.S. Smith and Missionary Smith's ministry grew, requiring them to seek a location that would accommodate the congregation. Stepping out on God's promise, Superintendent Smith purchased an animal feed store located at 8314 S. Compton Ave., transforming it into our second edifice, Greater Evangelist Prayer Center Church of God in Christ.
From 1956 to the present, Greater Evangelist Prayer Center Church of God in Christ has faced many joys and obstacles. Through it all, we have held fast to the vision and instruction of Bishop Charles Harrison Mason to spread the gospel of Christ while promoting the necessity of holiness and sanctification.
FOUNDER
Superintendent, T.S. Smith
1956-1999
Superintendent Smith was born on December 21, 1907, and worked until God called him home in 2000. Before answering the call to ministry he served in the U.S. Air Force. He was later ordained as an Elder at Mt. Olive COGIC, in 1946. During that time, Pastor Smith served in many capacities of the church earning him the appointment of District Superintendent in 1976.
Pastor James A. Ruttlen
1999-2021
Pastor Ruttlen was born in Samson, Alabama, on February 6, 1943, and worked until God called him home in 2021. In 1970, Pastor Ruttlen was ordained as a minister under Bishop J.M. Bailey and later ordained as an elder in the Church of God in Christ under Bishop McCloud. During that time, Pastor Ruttlen served in many capacities, including Jurisdictional choir member, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, YPWW President, coordinator for the District Youth Conference, Evangelist, and Assistant Superintendent of the Union Spring 2nd District of Alabama. In March of 1999, he was installed as Pastor of Greater Evangelist Prayer Center by General Board Member Bishop George D. McKinney. Pastor Ruttlen leaves the legacy of being a faithful leader, singer, and loyal servant of the church.
PASTOR Lequarius K. RUTTLEN
2021-Present
Pastor Lequarius K. Ruttlen was born in Los Angeles, CA in September of 1984. In 2014 he was ordained as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ under General Board Member Bishop Gorge D. McKinney. In March of 2022, he was installed as Pastor of Greater Evangelist Prayer Center by Jurisdictional Prelate Bishop Charles G. Nauden. Pastor Ruttlen has served in many capacities within the local church and Hosanna District including Youth Leader, Sunday School teacher, and District Minister of Music. Additionally, Pastor Ruttlen serves the Southern California 2nd Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and National Church as a National Adjutant of the Church of God in Christ. Pastor Ruttlen fulfills his passion for mental health through his work as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Director of Exodus Recovery, Integrated Care Mental Health program.
