By Sister Tarpley, Religion Editor
Elder Carl Patten, II, Vice President of Finance for COGIC World Missions is schedule speak at Bethel Bible Fellowship in Carrollton, TX. for the church’s 27th Church Anniversary.
Elder Carl Patten, II. is a native of Memphis, TN.; he spent his youth growing up as a Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist. Patten earliest Christian experiences were attending church with his grandparents who were active in ministry. At the age of 13, he asked if could go to the altar because he felt the pull of God on his life. It was at this time, that he first experienced the saving power of Christ and secretly joined a church.
Due to Elder Patten’s limited access to church as a kid, he learned to vary his practices based on whether he was attending religious services with his parents or grandparents.
While in college, Elder Patten was able to fully experience God for himself. And, as a junior, he answered the call of God to a life in ministry. During this period, his testimony became, “that you should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Elder Patten preached his first sermon later that year. Two years later, he would move to Atlanta, GA to attend Charles Harrison Mason Theological Seminary.
He is an active participant in the Atlanta community. He’s passionate about seeing those around him achieve their dreams and full potential. Elder Patten was ordained in 2007 by the late Bishop Chandler David Owens.
Elder Patten serves at Cathedral of Faith COGIC in SW Atlanta. His spiritual father, Administrative Assistant Arthur F. Mosley, has allowed him to operate as Missions Director, President of Ministerial Staff, Trustee and Preacher’s Roundtable Coordinator and recently appointed him to lead the Men’s Ministry.
In addition, he operates in several other ministries at Cathedral, including media, church strategy, and leadership development. Within the North Central Georgia Jurisdiction under Bishop J. E. Hogan, Elder Patten serves as the Vice President of Missions and as a member of the ordination board.
Ministry has allowed Elder Patten to perform global missions in Ghana, South Africa, Malaysia, and India. In addition, he supports international missions for Nigeria, Brazil, and Haiti for his local ministry.
In 2015, Elder Patten was appointed Vice President of Finance for COGIC World Missions. In this role, Vice President Patten has fiscal responsibility for $1M+ budget that impacts 82 countries.
Elder Patten strongly believes the value of education and its ability to change lives and perspectives.
He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), M.Div. in Hebrew Bible from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), and M.B.A. from Emory University, Goizueta Business School.
He continues to volunteer with, support, and give back to the academic communities that have shaped him while helping others determine the academic path that will help them achieve their dreams.
The knowledge he has gained through these institutions has allowed him to continually grow as a leader and influencer through his work inside and outside of the church.
Professionally, Elder Patten is a Healthcare Innovation Leader with NTT Data, formerly Dell Services (headquartered in Plano, TX). He joined the firm in 2015 after spending the prior nine years at Accenture as a Healthcare Strategist and Technology Architect.
He is well respected as an expert in strategy, leadership, and process improvement. During his spare time Elder Patten likes to cook, travel, and volunteer. He also recently began a hobby collecting cufflinks.
Elder Patten aims to continue to utilize his motivational gift of exhortation to teach the people of the Lord and reach the world with the Gospel and Love of Jesus Christ.
He has shared and preached the word of God around the world and will be using his gift when he speaks on October 30, 2016 at the 27th Church Anniversary of Bethel Bible Fellowship in Carrollton, TX.
