The Apostolic Way
In Memory Of
Bishop L.P. Upton
October 22, 1932 - July 12, 2011
Born on October 22, 1932, in Tulsa, Oklahoma in a Nazarene parsonage to Leo C. Upton and Rhoda Brown Upton. He departed this life on July 12, 2011, in Sulphur, Louisiana.
He is survived by his wife Helen Godwin Upton, his son, Paul Allan Upton and wife, Stella LeDoux Upton, his daughter, Renee' Price and husband, William (Bill) Price. His grandchildren, Jessica Balderas and husband, Jose', Eric Upton and wife, Leah LeFevre Upton, Liana Upton and Adam Price. His great grandchildren, Jenna Balderas and Joel Upton. His sisters, Rhoda Wilkins Nevenner and Nancy Harger and husband, Charles. His nephew, Stuart Wilkins, and nieces, Rachel Harger and Charla Harger Berry.
Leo Upton graduated high school from Apostolic College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received his Doctor of Divinity from Biblical Apostolic University in Lancaster, TX.
He was ordained as a minister in the United Pentecostal Church International in 1953. He served as a sectional youth director in the UPCI Texas District. He is a member of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ and has served as a Louisiana Superintendent and National Missions Director. He is a member of the Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship.
Leo Upton followed in his father's footsteps of preaching. He began his preaching ministry at the age of 16 years old. He began evangelizing at 18 years old and has since held several hundred revivals, has assisted various pastors, and established several churches. He pastored in Sioux Falls, SD, Huntington, TX, Arlington, TX, Houston, TX, and Sulphur, LA. He did missions work in Mexico, Chili, Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Brazil, Nigeria, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Ireland, Wales, and the United Kingdom.
He arrived to accept the pastorate of Pentecostal Gospel Lighthouse, now Lighthouse Tabernacle, in September, 1972. He served as pastor for twenty-six years and then was ordained as Bishop in 1998 and served in that capacity until his death. During those years of service he saw two sanctuaries and a Family Life Center built. Approximately fifteen ministers from Lighthouse Tabernacle have gone on to establish their own ministry. Two daughter churches were established through his ministry.
He was a member of the American Biographical Institute and was honored for outstanding professional and public service. He was honored in Who's Who of America. He was honored by the State of Louisiana: Colonel of Staff and as Aide-de-Camp, Executive Department.
He was an accomplished musician playing the piano, trumpet, guitar, accordion, and organ. He began singing in church services as a young child. He used his beautiful voice and musical ability to minister to others for many, many years. His songs of praise and words of instruction and encouragement have ministered to people around the world and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife Helen Godwin Upton, his son, Paul Allan Upton and wife, Stella LeDoux Upton, his daughter, Renee' Price and husband, William (Bill) Price. His grandchildren, Jessica Balderas and husband, Jose', Eric Upton and wife, Leah LeFevre Upton, Liana Upton and Adam Price. His great grandchildren, Jenna Balderas and Joel Upton. His sisters, Rhoda Wilkins Nevenner and Nancy Harger and husband, Charles. His nephew, Stuart Wilkins, and nieces, Rachel Harger and Charla Harger Berry.
Leo Upton graduated high school from Apostolic College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received his Doctor of Divinity from Biblical Apostolic University in Lancaster, TX.
He was ordained as a minister in the United Pentecostal Church International in 1953. He served as a sectional youth director in the UPCI Texas District. He is a member of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ and has served as a Louisiana Superintendent and National Missions Director. He is a member of the Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship.
Leo Upton followed in his father's footsteps of preaching. He began his preaching ministry at the age of 16 years old. He began evangelizing at 18 years old and has since held several hundred revivals, has assisted various pastors, and established several churches. He pastored in Sioux Falls, SD, Huntington, TX, Arlington, TX, Houston, TX, and Sulphur, LA. He did missions work in Mexico, Chili, Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Brazil, Nigeria, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Ireland, Wales, and the United Kingdom.
He arrived to accept the pastorate of Pentecostal Gospel Lighthouse, now Lighthouse Tabernacle, in September, 1972. He served as pastor for twenty-six years and then was ordained as Bishop in 1998 and served in that capacity until his death. During those years of service he saw two sanctuaries and a Family Life Center built. Approximately fifteen ministers from Lighthouse Tabernacle have gone on to establish their own ministry. Two daughter churches were established through his ministry.
He was a member of the American Biographical Institute and was honored for outstanding professional and public service. He was honored in Who's Who of America. He was honored by the State of Louisiana: Colonel of Staff and as Aide-de-Camp, Executive Department.
He was an accomplished musician playing the piano, trumpet, guitar, accordion, and organ. He began singing in church services as a young child. He used his beautiful voice and musical ability to minister to others for many, many years. His songs of praise and words of instruction and encouragement have ministered to people around the world and will be greatly missed.
In tribute to Bishop L. P. Upton when his designer was building him he must of had a ship builders mind in heart. As you may know there are many different types of ships. Battleships, Freight-liners and passenger ships. I can so easily recognize the Bishop as being all three. Never have I met such a man that new how to take to the battle field in intercessory prayer and a true soldier in his battle for life. As a freight-liner he provided many commodities to many people. Meals, money, words of wisdom, kindness, love, direction, correction, and many powerful messages. A passenger vessel is designed to transport people from one port to another. Providing comfort, security and smooth sailing to their destination. The Bishop has truly provided a great multitude of people around this world the opportunity to leave their life of sin to enter in to the church (another vessel prepared to take us to our destination in heaven). He provided us with comfort and security along the way. But most importantly he took on the rough seas, the storms and even other battleships intended for destruction and provided us with smooth sailing. Always knowing which way to swing the sails to catch the wind (Holy Ghost). Today I can honestly say ships of this nature never sink they become memorials. From this shipbuilders continue to build more ships of same design because this ship was tested, proven and accomplished its purpose.
By: Rev Dean Gintz
By: Rev Dean Gintz
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