Pastor's Corner
Bishop Benjamin F. Peterson, Jr., D.D.
(Apostle)
Bishop Benjamin F. Peterson, Jr., is the eldest son of five children born to Bishop B.F. and Mother Estella Peterson, Sr., on May 1, 1954 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has exemplified himself as a family man to a devoted wife, Lady Janet Cloud-Peterson for twenty-nine years and the father of three children, Benjamin, III, Jonathan and Ja’Nean Peterson. He graduated from Overbrook High School in 1972 and continued his education at Fisk University. Furthering his education Bishop Peterson attended Cheyney University in 1985 and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a minor in music and later receiving his Doctorate Degree of Divinity from the Jamison School in 1992.
At an early age Bishop Peterson received the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior. Under the leadership of Bishop B.F. Peterson, Sr., the founder of the Greater Bible Way Temple, he served as organist in 1967, then the Minister of Music in 1973. Bishop Peterson was called into ministry in 1976; and later ordained an Elder in 1980 under the leadership of Apostle Smallwood Williams, Chief Apostle and Founder of Bible Way Churches World Wide (BWCWW). Bishop Peterson has served on numerous auxiliaries and boards with BWCWW. With the goal and thirst to increase and heightening the spiritual, moral education and social consciousness of the young people he served as Chaplin, then President of the International Young People Union of BWCWW. Bishop Peterson has traveled extensively throughout the United States, United Kingdom, South America, Caribbean Islands, edifying the body of Christ and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through preaching / teaching.
On April 30th, 1994, Bishop Peterson, Sr. led by the Holy Spirit chose to confer the office of “PASTOR” upon, then Elder Benjamin Peterson, Jr. Bishop Peterson took over as Senior Pastor of the Greater Bible Way Temple, Philadelphia. On July 5, 1997, under the leadership of Apostle Huie L. Rogers, Chief Apostle of the Bible Way Churches World Wide (BWCWW), Bishop Peterson, Jr., was consecrated to the office of “BISHOP” and assigned as the State Diocesan for the Canada Diocese. Later in 2001 Bishop Peterson, Jr. was assigned as the State Diocesan of the United Pennsylvania Diocese. In July 2007 Chief Apostle Huie L. Rogers consecrated Bishop Peterson to the office of “APOSTLE” during the 50th Bible Way Churches World Wide National Convocation.
Bishop Peterson, Jr., is an activist in the communities in which he has served in areas of low-income housing, childcare, before and after school programs, economic development, workforce development, youth activities and elder care. He has received numerous proclamations and commendations from the President, Governor, Mayor and City / Local Representatives.
Bishop Peterson, Jr., serves as the Senior Pastor of Greater Bible Way Temple (two locations in Pennsylvania), Philadelphia (52nd & Bible Way Streets) and Harrisburg (18th Walnut Streets); Chief Operating Officer of Lancaster Hall; Co-Founder of New Life Development Corporation (non-profit organization which serves the community through educational, cultural and economic enhancements); Executive Board of Bishops and General Secretary for the Bible Way Churches World Wide (BWCWW); Advisory Board Member of several Charter Schools and City/Local Organizations, Member of Philadelphia Police Clergy in the 19th District, Vice-President of PAAC (Pennsylvania Association of Apostolic Churches), Board Member of West Philadelphia Empowerment Zone and serves on the Board of Directors of AAIM, Inc..