Mr. Richard Donald Ward

Celebrating The Life Of Mr. Richard Donald Ward: Richard Donald Ward was born February 10, 1928 to the union of Mervin Reed Ward and Nellie Johnson Ward in Milton, PA. When Richard was three, Nellie passed away. Mervin subsequently married Lucille Thompson and together they raised, Charlotte, Richard, Archie, Dorothy, Rebekah and James. Richard graduated from Milton High School in 1946. He enlisted in the Army and was honorably discharged. He graduated from Wolverine Trade School in 1955. He later was employed at General Motors Cadillac Division for 40 years. Richard Ward and Thelma Louise Jackson were married by Bishop S. N. Hancock at Clinton St. Bethlehem Temple on Feb. 21, 1953. To their union was born three children: Janice, Richard and Marcia. Richard was a skilled carpenter, avid reader, swimmer, and workout enthusiast. Richard and Thelma loved to travel and were blessed to travel to many parts of the world. Richard accepted Christ at an early age. He was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit on Nov. 28, 1941. Richard was born into a family of great preachers. His father; a Pastor in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and grandfather, a Pastor in the Church of God. As a young man, Richard served as a Sunday school teacher and Sunday School Superintendent in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World organization. Richard was introduced to the Bethesda Missionary Temple through the radio ministry in 1955 and began attending Sunday night services. In 1967, Bethesda became his family’s church home. In 1968, he was confirmed and graduated from the Minister’s Candidate School and began serving in the Adult Catechism Department as a counselor. He was very involved in the Catechism Department and eventually served as an Assistant Instructor to Reverend Herbert Moos. Richard was appointed to the Church Council as a Deacon in 1981 and elevated to the position of Elder in 1985. Following the tradition of his father and grandfather, Richard was ordained in the ministry on April 23, 1995. Operating in his gift to teach, he began the Outreach Catechism class at the Northwest Detroit Greater Love Community of Christians Church in Detroit along with the Outreach Catechism Classes at Wayne State University in Detroit. Hundreds of lives were changed under his direction from these classes. At Bethesda, he taught the Caring Christian Sunday School Class, served as one of the Thursday morning worship service speakers and led the Widow’s Support Group. He was often a guest minister at the Downriver Community Church with Pastor Eric Woof. Over the years, Rev. Ward reflected back on the words prophesied over him by Pastor Myrtle Beall, Pastor James Beall and Rev. Patricia Gruits in November 1972, showing how God’s Word has been and was continuously fulfilled in his life. An excerpt from the prophesy is: “Comfort my people, saith the Lord. I have called you to a ministry of comfort, instruction, and teaching to those discouraged, those who have lost their way, who wonder which way to go. The Lord will instruct you and give you words of wisdom, knowledge and understanding to comfort and lead my people." He continued to teach, comfort and give words of wisdom to his family and friends until he passed. On Thursday, October 29, 2015 surrounded by his family, Richard went to be with the Lord

Mr. Richard Donald Ward

February 10, 1928 - October 29, 2015