Supt. Melvin L. Rouse,Sr.

Superintendent Melvin L. Rouse, Sr., Senior Pastor and Founder of Agape Deliverance Church Of God In Christ (COGIC), made his transition to his heavenly home on Tuesday the 10th of December. He was the youngest son born to Harriet and George Rouse on August 8th 1953 in Portsmouth, VA. He was as a bright and fiery child, brimming with charisma. Possessing an infectious smile, he could light up any room. Supt. Rouse was raised in the St. James Church Of God In Christ under the tutelage of Supt. Batlener Small. At the tender age of 13, Supt. Rouse heeded the call of the Lord and delivered his first sermon at the St. James COGIC. As a young minister of the Gospel his wit, candor, blistering and anointed delivery opened many doors resulting in many souls being saved and delivered. He served as the President of the Portsmouth District Youth Department (YPWW) for several years and during this time he began to travel across the State of Virginia preaching the Gospel. Upon meeting and marrying the love of his life, Lady Shirley Weatherspoon Rouse, he moved to Richmond, VA where he joined the Redeem COGIC under the leadership of his father-in-law, the late Supt. Willie Weatherspoon. While at Redeem he served as President of the Elders & Ministers Department and as Associate Pastor. He was appointed President of the State Evangelist Department for Virginia 2nd Jurisdiction under the leadership of Bishop Samuel L. Green where he served for 17 years. Supt. Rouse travelled across the nation carrying the message of Jesus Christ to the lost. He remained at Redeem COGIC until his appointment to the pastorate at Good Samaritan COGIC in Lynchburg, VA. He brought stability to the church and made great strides in community outreach and in the development of the spiritual and personal lives of the membership. Upon entering the pastorate in Lynchburg he immediately set about renovating and beautifying the house of God. It was not long until Supt. Rouse heeded the call of the Lord and founded the Agape Deliverance COGIC in Richmond, VA in 1990. Supt. Rouse worked in various other capacities in church. He served as Regional Ambassador by the National Evangelist Department, Piedmont District Executive Secretary, Piedmont District Auxiliaries in Ministry President, District Institute Leader, and District Finance Secretary. In 2001, Supt. Rouse and the Agape church family joined the New Deliverance Fellowship Conference of Churches under the leadership of Bishop Gerald O. Glenn (Auxiliary Bishop to the COGIC and Administrative Assistant of the North Carolina 2nd Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the COGIC). He worked in close cooperation with Bishop Glenn to herald the good news of the Lord and helped push the fellowship to new heights. While working with Bishop Glenn he was introduced to the late Bishop C.E. Anderson, Sr. then Jurisdictional Prelate of the North Carolina 2nd Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the COGIC. Impressed with his candor and passion for Gods’ people, Supt. Rouse joined NC 2nd Jurisdiction and was the last appointee to the office of Superintendent by the late Bishop Anderson, Sr.. Uplifting and empowering ALL of Gods’ people was Supt. Rouse’s passion and purpose! He brought vitality, life and joy to every project. Supt. Rouse proved himself to be a true man of discipline and principle. He stood firm on what he believed yet he was not so unyielding as to lose compassion for those with which he disagreed. A motivated and mighty man of God, Supt. Rouse preached the gospel with clarity and conviction. Yet his greatest testament was the way in which he lived his life, a true embodiment of James chapter 2 verse 26; “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Supt. Rouse truly loved and cared for people; he gave of himself opening his heart and his home to those in need of solace. A dedicated family man Supt. Rouse is survived by his wife of 40 years Lady Shirley W. Rouse; their five children Min. Theresita Rouse-Richard (Min. Frank Richard), Dr. Melanie J. Rouse, PhD, Dr. Melvin L. Rouse, Jr., PhD, ABD (Dr. Alexis Schultz Rouse, DMA, ABD), Valencia Rouse-Neely (Tremaine Neely), and Christopher Rouse, Sr. (Brittany Fells-Rouse); four grandchildren Fredrick Cooper Richard, Christopher Rouse, Jr., McKenzie and Kailyn Neely with a fifth grandchild (daughter) on the way; five siblings Luther McDowell (Sharon), Robert Rouse, Rosetta Burns, Diane Saunders, and Charlotte Green (Calvin); a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; four sisters-in-law; three brother-in-law; and a host of other relatives and friends, among them very close and dear friend Elder Elvis Smith, Sr.

Tributes

Supt. Melvin L. Rouse,Sr.

August 8, 1953 - December 10, 2013