Bishop Willie Gene Robinson was born on October 18, 1939, in Atoka, Tennessee, to the God-fearing parents of Deacon Eddie and Hattie Robinson. The seventh child of fifteen children, young Willie Robinson was reared in the fear and the admonition of the Lord. From his youth, Bishop Robinson was grounded in prayer, fasting, and the Word of God. Bishop Robinson was a faithful life-long member of the Church Of God in Christ, Inc. He labored in the Lord’s vineyard for more than 70 years. Bishop Robinson served diligently with humility and with an unwavering commitment to the Apostolic doctrine and holiness. Bishop Robinson would often say, “It’s holiness or hell, you choose.” With God’s anointing, Bishop Robinson unapologetically preached the Word of God.  

 

Bishop Robinson received his foundational education in the Memphis City School System and later matriculated at United Christian College, where he earned a Doctorate of Sacred Scriptures and Philosophical Theology. His academic pursuits reflected his conviction that effective ministry requires both spiritual anointing and disciplined preparation.

 

On a beautiful January day, Bishop Robinson was joined in holy matrimony to the late Dr. Gwendolyn E. Robinson. The couple was married for fifty-four blessed years. Their union stood as a model of covenant partnership, spiritual unity, and sacrificial service to the Lord. From this union, five children were born: Miranda, Jerome, Jonathan, Elizabeth, and Willie Jr. Following Mother Robinson's transition, Bishop Robinson later married Evangelist Regina Robinson, and they were united in marriage in April 2016. For nearly a decade, she stood by his side with unwavering love, devotion, and commitment to ministry until the end.   

 

In 1972, while evangelizing in Memphis, Tennessee, at the time, Elder Willie Gene Robinson received a divine mandate from the Lord: “Go back to New York and build Me a church and name it Glorious Temple Church Of God in Christ. I will bless you abundantly until people will not be able to comprehend how much you will be blessed.” In obedience to the voice of God, he returned to New York and established the Glorious Temple Church Of God in Christ in his living room, alongside his devoted wife and their five children.

 

As the ministry increased, the Lord expanded the work to Brownsville, then on to Broadway in Brooklyn, New York, where many souls were saved, healed, delivered, and added to the church. The continued growth of the ministry led to the purchase of a church facility at 179 Hendrix Street in Brooklyn, where the members of Glorious Temple worshiped for five years. During this period, Pastor Robinson and his wife labored faithfully to build the ministry and perfect the saints for the work of the ministry.

 

In 1979, Pastor Robinson received divine instruction to enter the Gold Coast District. In 1980, with divine confirmation, Bishop O.M. Kelly appointed him Superintendent of the Gold Coast District. His appointment was affirmed through prayer, prophetic utterance, and the manifestation of the Holy Ghost. Pastor Robinson continued to serve the Church with distinction under the leadership of Bishop F.D. Washington and Bishop Ithiel Clemmons, later becoming President of the Superintendent Board and subsequently serving as First Administrative Assistant to Bishop James Gaylord—roles marked by loyalty, sound judgment, confidentiality, and unwavering faithfulness.

 

Responding to further instruction from the Holy Spirit to “cast your net on the other side,” Pastor Robinson and the saints followed a God-given vision that led them to 625 Sutter Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. When the Lord declared, “If you want it, you can have it,” Pastor Robinson answered, “Yes, Lord.” Through faith, stewardship, and sacrifice, he acquired the property and, to the glory of God, continued ministering in a new neighborhood.

 

Throughout his consecrated life, Pastor Robinson labored tirelessly. His ministry encompassed philanthropic efforts, citywide crusades, tent revivals, evangelistic outreach, radio broadcasts on WWRL and WTHE, and an eight-year television ministry on THE WORD Network, reaching millions of households across more than 250 nations. He was known all over the country as a Deliverance Preacher. His message remained constant and uncompromising: Jesus Saves, Heals, and Delivers. Through Pastor Robinson, thousands were healed, delivered, restored, and brought into the Body of Christ. His ministry was marked by extended fasts, all-night prayer services, three-day and three-night shut-ins, hospital visitations, national and international revivals, and overseas evangelism. People would run around the church, declaring their healing. 

 

In 2013, Pastor Robinson was consecrated to the sacred Office of Bishop within the Church Of God in Christ. Bishop Robinson served faithfully under the leadership of Bishop James Pullings, Jr., Jurisdictional Bishop of the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of  Eastern New York. Following his consecration, Bishop Robinson continued to shepherd the people of God with wisdom, compassion, and authority. Through his ministry and community outreach—particularly in East New York—he received numerous proclamations, citations, and commendations from civic leaders and government officials. His efforts in community transformation and crime reduction were widely recognized, and his work was featured in national publications, especially CHARISMA Magazine.

 

Bishop Willie Gene Robinson was a faithful warrior in the Lord’s army—a visionary shepherd, seasoned intercessor, trusted administrator, and devoted servant of the Most High God. His life and ministry stand as a testimony to obedience, sacrifice, sound leadership, and commitment to the doctrine and mission of the Church Of God in Christ.

 

Bishop Robinson was preceded in death by his loving wife, the Late Mother Gwendolyn E. Robinson, children, Jonathan Robinson, Jerome Isaac Robinson, son-in-law, James K. Bellamy, and siblings, Eddie and Maria (twins), James Edward, Pearline, Edmornia, Lonzo, Emmanuel, Lee Thelma, Katie, Eva, and David. 

 

He leaves to cherish in his memory his devoted wife, Lady Regina Robinson, his children: Miranda Robinson Bellamy, Elizabeth Robinson Jackson (husband, Eric Jackson), Willie Gene Robinson, Jr. (wife, Mataya Robinson), and daughter-in-law, Vanessa Robinson; thirteen grandchildren: Janeita, Saria, Tanesha, Will, Monica, James, Jerome II, Erica, Mikayla, Langston, Garrett, Madeline, Meagan; and five great-grandchildren: Jayden, Tori, Jackson, Kaylani, and Josiah.

 

Bishop Robinson is also survived by his beloved siblings, Florine, Jerry, Earnest, and Eddie Wayne, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, the Glorious Temple Deliverance Center Family, spiritual sons and daughters, and faithful friends.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

— Matthew 25:21