Pastor James T. Porter

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” II Timothy 4:7-8 A person’s legacy is defined by the lives they touch and the footprints they leave in our hearts. Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of ~Pastor James T. Porter~ He was called home on May 21, 2024, to be with the Lord. Pastor James T. Porter was born November 24, 1947, in Courtland, Virginia. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior in the year of 1969. Later that year, he and his family attended Holy Light Church of Deliverance, Portsmouth, VA under the leadership of Bishop Samuel L. Carruth. He served on the Deacon board, and the finance committee, taught Sunday school, and served faithfully in other duties with his pastor. In 1970, Pastor James T. Porter attended the Jameson Bible Institute in Philadelphia. He successfully passed the course of study in General Theology I., receiving his diploma as a symbol of Scholastic Excellence in the Christian Department, on June 1, 1972. His teacher was the late Dr. H.O. Jameson, President of Jameson Institute. Pastor Porter was called into the ministry in the year of 1980. January 17, 1987, Pastor Porter received his Certificate of License and Ordination into The Gospel Ministry and was led by God, with his wife, children, and a few members, he started in the home. As the church grew, he moved out and started sharing a church with Bishop Tizwell of Portsmouth, VA. Later in the year, Pastor moved the church to Chesapeake, VA where the church continued to grow. On August 25, 1995, Pastor James T. Porter received his Certificate of Training for Service and became a Registered Teacher of Standard Courses in Leadership Training Programs. He also received his certificate for completion in church growth and Christian education, on November 15, 1995, under the instruction of Joanne Hopton of the Training for Service Institute. Lastly, in September 2017, Pastor Porter received his Ministry Training Certificate “Overcoming the Jezebel Spirit” training at the Apostolic Equipping Institute. Pastor James T. Porter was a man of wisdom and loved to study God’s word. He was passionate about bringing souls to Christ and loved witnessing the goodness of God. God continued to bless and bring the vision to pass. He loved to see souls being saved, the sick healed, and substance abusers being delivered and set free by the power of God. His ministry was truly built on the revelated word of God by the anointed power of God, which causes yokes to be broken. It is written, Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone, But By Every Word That Proceedeth Out of The Mouth Of God (Matthew 4:4). Pastor James T. Porter retired after 30 years from Norfolk Southern Railroad. He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother Theodore and Alice Mae Turner, one brother Joseph Porter, and one sister Doris Ann Porter. He is survived by Dorothy P. Fleetwood, Veronica Thorpe, and Bobbie Cotton. He leaves to cherish memories to his loving wife of 57 years Lutto Luetta Porter. Within that union, they have six children; Luetta Jean Dash, Alesis Reeves, James T. Porter, Jr., Patricia Hardy, Carl Porter (Kyia), and Carolyn McKnight (William Jr.); eleven grandchildren James Dugas, Eddie Dash, Jr., Jermaine Dash, Pamela Porter, De’Andre Reeves, Danielle Hardy, Daniel Hardy, Gabrielle Hardy, Carl Porter, Jr., Sherri Harris, and Clarence Porter; ten great-grandchildren; thirteen siblings Carl (Barbara), Rosa Lee (Vaughn), Glyn (Bruce), Alton, Early, Michael (Linda), Celestia (Amos), Theoria (Jeff), Alvin (Hope), Ed, Carol, Sarah, and Flotilla; a special daughter Bristel White; a special granddaughter Starr White; one great aunt Laura Chambliss of New York, two brothers in law Larry Gallup, Frank Spence, one sister in law Mabel Stephens, and host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Pastor James T. Porter

November 24, 1947 - May 21, 2024