Bishop Paul L. Fortson is the Pastor and organizer of Paradise Church of God In Christ. He is the Jurisdictional Prelate of Barbados & Caribbean Jurisdiction. Bishop Fortson is a divinely deployed servant of God, gifted Preacher/Teacher, a compassionate Pastor and anointed man of God with the gift of healing and deliverance. He is known and revered locally, nationally, and internationally for his leadership, integrity and for being a visionary leader.

Bishop Fortson is an Atlanta native and was educated in the Atlanta Public Schools. He is a graduate of George Washington Carver High School with honors. Bishop Fortson graduated as the “Best All Around Student” of his class, winning the Atlanta Journal Award. In addition, he received a Band Scholarship to attend Morris Brown College. He also served (3) years in the United States Army and spent two years in Germany as a Pay Specialist.

Bishop Fortson is married to Carolyn C. Fortson, and they celebrated 51 years on March 29th, 2020. They have two sons, Elder/Dr. Paul Quentin Fortson and Mark Kevin Fortson, AA, BS.

He was employed (30) years by the Nabisco Company, Inc. Bishop Paul L. Fortson accepted his call to the Ministry in 1975. He was ordained an Elder in the Church of God in Christ in 1977, and he started his pastoral journey when he organized the First Carrollton Mission Church of God in Christ, in Carrollton, GA. In 1984 he was directed by the Lord to organize Paradise Church of God in Christ, located at 4234 Hendrix Drive, Forest Park, GA. 30297.

Bishop Fortson was consecrated to the sacred office of Bishop in the Church of God in Christ in 1998 – presently over Barbados & Caribbean Jurisdiction. In February 2020 Bishop Fortson celebrated 22 years in the mission field of Barbados & Caribbean Jurisdiction.

Bishop Fortson was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Divinity from St. Thomas Christian College of Jacksonville, FL. He has been inducted into the Carver High School Hall of Fame. In addition, he has received numerous awards in ministry and community service. Bishop Fortson was selected as one of 100 COGIC Influential Pastors. On January 29, 2017, he was also awarded the Key to the City of Lexington Mississippi.

On April 5th, 2018, Bishop Paul L. Fortson was inducted into the Morehouse College Martin Luther King College of Ministers and Laity Board of Preachers. He loves the Lord and enjoys doing what he knows best, BEING A GOOD SERVANT FOR THE LORD!

BISHOP FORTSON RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL AWARDS:

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

State & National

(Oct 1998)           The White House – Service Proclamation – William J. Clinton, 42nd President of the United States

(Sept 1998)         State of Georgia – Service Proclamation – Zell B. Miller, 79th Governor of Georgia

(Sept 2001)         Georgia Secretary of State – Service Proclamation – Cathy Cox, Secretary of State

Church & Local

(1992)                   City of Forest Park – Leadership and Service Proclamation

(1995)                   Chamber of Commerce – Forest Park Georgia

(Sept 1998)         Clayton College & State University – Outstanding Service – Richard A. Skinner, President

(Oct 1998)           Fulton County Board of Commissioners – Outstanding Service – Michael Hightower, Commissioner

(Oct 1998)           City of East Point – Outstanding Service – Patsy J. Hilliard, Mayor

(Oct 1998)           Clayton County Board of Commissioners – Outstanding Service – Crandle Bray, Chairman

(2001)                   Chosen Award 2001 – Outstanding Church and Community Leadership – Awarded by: Atlanta Gospel Choice Awards

(2003)                   Chosen to serve on the Church Of God In Christ Inc. Constitution – Convention as a Commissioner to help revise the Church of God In Christ manual

(4/19/2004)        Carver High School Hall of Fame

(2004-06)            Named among the “Most Influential African American Pastors” – Distinguished by: Atlanta Business Journal

(5/21/2006)        Bestowed the Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree St. Thomas Christian College – Central Georgia Jurisdiction – Outstanding Leadership Accomplishments

(Oct 2009)           City of Forest Park – Leadership and Service Proclamation – Corine C. Deyton, Mayor

(8/27/2016)        Awarded the Living Legend Award from Forest Park Ministers Association

(1/29/2017)        Awarded the key to the City of Lexington Mississippi

(4/5/2018)          Inducted into the Martin Luther King Board of Preachers from Morehouse College

(2021)                   Serving on the Church of God In Christ Constitution Committee