Bishop Edward Arnel Coles
Auxiliary Bishop, Washington, DC Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, COGIC, Inc., New Bethel & GetLife Ministries Pastor
In God’s great plan, Edward A. Coles is a fourth-generation pastor of the Church Of God In Christ
(COGIC). His godly parents, the late Dr. Lloyd Coles, Jr., and the late Evangelist Wilma Lewis Coles,
instilled in him the principles of holy living. At the age of six, he had his initial experience of being saved and
anointed by the Holy Spirit. He worked faithfully under the pastorate of his father at Gethsemane COGIC
for many years in various positions.
Young Edward Coles’ family relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1957. He attended the D.C. Public
Schools, and furthered his education at the University of the District of Columbia, Trinity College,
Washington, D.C.; the Alexandria Theological Seminary, Virginia; and Logos Christian College, Florida.
He has a B.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Logos University and has been certified as an Evangelical Training
Association (ETA) Instructor.
In 1981, Deacon Edward Coles was joined in holy matrimony with the lovely Zephra A. Shazier of
Detroit, Michigan. From this union were born two fine sons, Brian Edward and Christopher Lloyd. He has
a wonderful daughter-in-love, Claudia, and two precious grandchildren, Mariah and Alexander.
In 1986, Deacon Coles was licensed as a minister, and in 1988, he was ordained an Elder in COGIC.
In 1990, he was licensed as a radio operator and co-produced a Youth program on WDCU. In 1990,
Elder Edward Coles founded Jesus Is Lord Ministries (JIL). The ministry significantly impacted the local
and global communities through compassion and servanthood. In 2001, JIL was the first church in the
DMV to donate $1,000 to the Sudanese crisis in the region of Darfur through a program organized by Mr.
Joe Madison, activist and local radio show host.
Also in 2001, Pastor Coles achieved the Sustained Superior Performance Award for his secular
employment at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. In 2004, he retired with 30
years of service distinguished as the first African American male in senior management.
Along with his pastoral duties, Pastor Coles serves COGIC as Special Assistant and Regional
Coordinator to the General Secretary; Jurisdictional Secretary, Washington, DC, Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
(WDCJ); and Assistant Superintendent and District Treasurer of the Samuel Kelsey District.
In 2014, Bishop Neavelle Coles appointed Pastor Coles as Assistant Superintendent of the Samuel
Kelsey District. In 2015, he was appointed by Bishop Neavelle Coles as Pastor of Gethsemane COGIC and
Superintendent of the Lion Of Judah District. With the merger of the two churches, Jesus Is Lord Life
Ministries and Gethsemane, Superintendent Coles pastored the newly-named Gethsemane Life Ministries
COGIC. In addition to managing the Alexandria church property, he also manages an Annandale church
property. In 2017, under his leadership, the Alexandria Church Property became mortgage-free.
In 2017, Bishop Neavelle Coles appointed Superintendent Coles as Administrative Assistant. In 2019,
Administrative Assistant Coles was appointed First Administrative Assistant. In 2021, Presiding Bishop J.
Drew Sheard appointed First Administrative Assistant Edward Coles as Auxiliary Bishop of the
Washington, DC Jurisdiction. In 2024, Bishop E. Coles was appointed pastor of The New Bethel COGIC.
Notably, Bishop Coles initiated and coordinated the production of the First Policies & Procedures
Manual for WDCJ, leads efforts in revitalizing SKI, and partners with COGIC Foreign Juris.; Israel & Brazil.
Bishop Edward A. Coles is a servant leader who is known for mentoring men and ministering to
pastors, ministries, communities, families, and individuals.