PASTOR ROBERT MICHAEL COPELAND

Obituary R. Michael Copeland was born on December 30, 1950 in Kansas City, Kansas. He was the youngest of six children born to the late Robert Lee Copeland and Anna Mae Copeland. R. Michael Copeland was preceded in death by his parents, and his older sister Loretta Matthews. R. Michael Copeland was educated in the Kansas City, Kansas Public School System. During his elementary years he attended Roosevelt Elementary School. During his junior high school years, he attended West Middle School. In 1969, he graduated from Washington High School. R. Michael received a basketball scholarship from Park University, Kansas City, MO. During this time, he enjoyed and shared his love for “the game.” As a result of his commitment and skill, he received an invitation to play in the World University Games in Lake Placid, New York. In 1972 Michael culminated and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Park University. After college, he enlisted and served in the United States Air Force for four years from 1980-1984. In 1979 R. Michael Copeland accepted Christ in the kitchen of the Copeland family home under the auspices of his older sister Shirley. As he continued to grow in the knowledge of his Savior R. Michael Copeland was appointed the Regional Director of the C.H. Mason Bible College for four years. It was during this time he met and married his “baby.” On July 18, 1981, he and the love of his life, Deborah Ann Portley professed their love before a crowd of witnesses. A love that radiated for thirty-nine years. To this union two beautiful children were born; Robert “Michael” Copeland Jr. and Rachelle Marquis’ Copeland. As a child R. Michael attended Havenside Church Of God In Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) under the leadership of the late Bishop J.O. Owens. In 1981 R. Michael Copeland and his wife joined Mt.Carmel C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of the late Bishop Ervin Sims Jr. and Supervisor Mary K. Sims. It was at this time he accepted the call to ministry and was licensed into the Gospel Ministry in 1982 at Mt. Carmel C.O.G.I.C. Shortly after R. Michael Copeland was ordained as an Elder in the Church of God In Christ under the late Bishop William H. McDonald. In 1995, Elder R. Michael Copeland was appointed and served as the pastor of Pentecostal Powerhouse C.O.G.I.C. by the late Bishop William H. McDonald. Pastor Copeland adored and faithfully served his church. Being a man of great vision, he was lead of the Holy Spirit to build upon the foundation laid by his predecessor changing the name to New Harvest C.O.G.I.C. in 2002. As New Harvest developed many were saved and returned to Christ. As the church continued to grow, the parishioners witnessed miraculous healings, ministry development, leadership and the presence of the Lord. After R. Michael Copeland’s work concluded at New Harvest in 2006 he and his family joined Boone Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C. under Bishop L.F. Thuston. During that time, he served as the Evangelism President, New Members Class Teacher as well as the Coordinator for the Minister’s Fellowship. As his time concluded at Boone Tabernacle Pastor Copeland and his wife were led back home to Mt. Carmel C.O.G.I.C. where he served as an Associate Pastor, the Director of Special Ministries and the Vice-President of the Minister’s Alliance. As Pastor Copeland faithfully dedicated his life to ministry he served as the Secretary for the Kansas East Jurisdiction Ordination Board for fifteen years. From 2004- 2009 he diligently held the office as the Jurisdictional AIM (Auxiliaries In Ministry) Chairman. Shortly after his jurisdictional AIM appointment he was appointed as the Mid-Central Regional AIM Director from 2005 - 2009. It was during this time he co-hosted the National AIM convention, hosted in 2005 in Kansas City. R. Michael Copeland worked and retired from the Sprint Corporation for fourteen years where he worked as a Sales Supervisor and Project Manager. After retirement, he worked as a night auditor at Holiday Inn Express. Pastor Copeland was a visionary. His impact on the next generation was immeasurable. He impacted men, young people and the family. He took time to share his knowledge and wisdom with all he encountered. Elder R. Copeland was a prolific teacher and historian. He was afforded many opportunities to travel across the world. He was faithful and traveled to the Church of God In Christ Auxiliaries in Ministry (AIM) Convention and the National Convention. Elder Copeland visited West Africa multiple times. He also valued his travel to Israel. It was during his second visit where he and Dr. George Westlake Jr. baptized each other in the Jordan River. Pastor R. Michael quietly transitioned from labor to reward on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. He leaves a legacy of faith and love to the love of his life, Missionary Deborah Ann Copeland, his son, Robert Michael Copeland Jr., his daughter, Rachelle Marquis Copeland, his sisters Gloria Hobson (Albert), Shirley Matthews (Donald), Julie Turner (Hylton) and his brother Ronald Copeland (Deborah) two godsons, Joshua Sims, and Nolan Jamal Jones Jr., A host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. Special thanks to Providence Medical Center Staff. Thank you for your labor of love. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 19th at Mount Carmel COGIC 2025 North 12th Street KCK 66104. Visitation 9:00 A.M. Interment Chapel Hill Cemetery KCK. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 19th at Mount Carmel COGIC 2025 North 12th Street KCK 66104. Visitation 9:00 A.M. Interment Chapel Hill Cemetery KCK. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of PASTOR ROBERT MICHAEL COPELAND, please visit our floral store. 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PASTOR ROBERT MICHAEL COPELAND

December 30, 1950 - September 8, 2020