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Pastor, Dr. Curtis Anthony Rodgers, a man after God’s own heart, loved the Lord: committed, sacrificed, happily for the gospel. “He believed that life without Jesus Christ was worth nothing.” Pastor, Dr. Curtis Anthony Rodgers life’s journey began Saturday, September 21, 1957, to the holy union of the late, Pastor, Dr. Chetwyn John Rodgers, and First Lady, Dr. Mary Alice Baker-Rodgers, in Chicago, Illinois, County of Cook, born the second child of five-brothers and two-sisters. Preceding him in death his father Dr. Chetwyn John Rodgers, four brother Walter Riley King, Paul Andrew Rodgers, Lawrence Elliot Rodgers, and John Baxter Rodgers. At the age of fourteen, hearing the preached word of God from his father convicted his heart hearing the words, “you can’t go to heaven on your father’s coat-tail.” This pricked and prompted him to repent of his sins, and accept the Lord Jesus as his Savior, who died for his sins, redeemed, born again. God filled him with much zeal to please, and serve the Lord. His zeal caused him to study fervently the scriptures, and church protocol. Because he knew he owed his life to Jesus. In 1973, age sixteen he was a licensed minister, by his father Pastor Chetwyn Rodgers, and later ordained Elder by Bishop J. O. Mason in 1974. He faithfully served as the Assistant Pastor under the leadership of his father for eighteen-years and worked from his youth in all areas of the church. He was clever, processed many gifts, and talents; achieved, and won many awards: Northern Illinois’ Oratorical Scholarship, and winner of the Buckingham Fountain Art Competition city of Chicago Region that was displayed in Chicago’s Museum for some time. A talk show host for NBC Channel 5 “Wrap It Up,” and nominated for an Emmy Award at the age seventeen. Graduated 1976 from John Marshall Harlan High School, attended the University of Chicago (Circle Campus) where he organized the Gospel Unlimited College Ministry at the University of Chicago, many were saved and blessed through this ministry. He received his Bachelor of Art Degree from Roosevelt University in Business Administration and Marketing. Later received his Doctorate Degree in Divinity from Trinity Seminary. He produced three albums, Higher Power, His Hands, and Be Faithful, three singles: You are My Everything, It Is Nothing Without You, and Jesus I’ll Never Forget. He is the author and writer of three books: The New Entrepreneurs, On the Road to Kewanee, and Lessons in Afflictions. He was a community activist, served on Michele Clark High School and Crane Tech High Local School Council Board; Cook County Sheriff Department Boot Camp Auxiliary Chaplaincy; and Richard J. Daley’s city of Chicago Community Development Advisory Committee. Pastor Dr. Curtis Anthony Rodgers heard the voice of the Lord’s calling, and he answered the high calling to be the shepherd over three churches. On September 13, 1986, he was called to Pastor, Resurrection Church of God in Christ, a one hundred fifty miles journey away from the city of Chicago, in Kewanee, Illinois. Later in 1988, after relocating to Rockford, Illinois he founded Cornerstone Church of God in Christ. While pastoring Resurrection COGIC and Cornerstone COGIC, he remained faithful, and active as an Assistant Pastor of Faith Church of God in Christ under the leadership of his father, Pastor Dr. Chetwyn Rodgers until his passing. In 1989, he was appointed Pastor of Faith Church of God in Christ, renamed Chetwyn Rodgers Faith Memorial Church of God in Christ, where he served with integrity, vision, zeal, love, compassion, and sacrifice to the will and work of God. Pastor Rodgers was apt and willing to do God’s work. Anointed and appointed in numerous departments of the district, jurisdictional, and national church work of the Church of God in Christ: Intricate Member Sunshine Band, YPWW, and Sunday School • Local Sunday School Superintendent • Minister of Music Faith Church, William Robert District, and Northern Illinois State Sunday School • District Evangelist, William Roberts District • Assistant Pastor, Faith COGIC, 1973–1989 • Pastor, Resurrection COGIC, Kewanee, Illinois, 1986–1989 • Pastor, Cornerstone COGIC, Rockford, Illinois, 1988–1989 • Pastor, Dr. Chetwyn Rodgers Faith Memorial COGIC, Chicago, IL, 1989– 2022 • Assistant State Secretary and Finance, Northern Illinois COGIC, 1989– 2002 • Clergy Advisory Board Member, 1989–2022 • Administrative Assistant, Northern Illinois COGIC, 1989–2015 • National Overseer Adjutant, Communion Supplies COGIC, 2000–2018 In 1989 Pastor Dr. Curtis Rodgers, a liaison to the inventor Mr. Jim Johnson, introduced the communion cup to the church of God in Christ churches. Later he was assigned, the tremendous task to travel the world to educate and show churches to “Celebrate Communion the More Excellent Way.” He established global communions, where people from all parts of the world united together in remembrance of Christ’s death and shedding of his blood for sin. Pastor Dr. Rodgers loved serving God and was dedicated in making sure services were done decently and in order. And, was appointed as an Adjutant. Dr. Rodgers, at the request of numerous Jurisdictional Bishops was sought out to train and educate pastors, elders, and ministers church protocol. He was honored, being the lead pallbearer of the late Presiding Bishop G. E. Patterson carrying the remains upon his shoulder through the mud and rain to his final resting place which was an honor he held dearly. Pastor Rodgers understood and saw the great need to fulfill the mandate and mission of the gospel. He was a tremendous visionary, God always gave him great visions and dreams, as the scripture said, “write the vision make it plain” Habakkuk 2:2-3, and so he did. In the year 2003, God gave him a mission to empower the people, and revitalize the communities. He began to develop the community by building a $3 million facility, the Chetwyn Rodgers Drive Development Center. Serving the Cook County people in need, in essence of ridding community blight. His vision grew, where he obtained land to build a new senior living and business complex, plans pause due to his declining health. July 25, 1987, he fell in love, and became united in marriage to Daphine Rodgers, whom he affectionately called Deb. His life became more meaningful and joyous at the birth of his four sons: Curtis II and Justin (pervious union), Christian, and Luke, and one daughter-in-love who added the sweet touch of a daughter he never had Natalie. His love and joy were his four grandchildren: Nya, Devine, Journi, and Nyviah. Thursday, December 1, 2022, 11:15 a.m. Pastor, Dr. Curtis Anthony Rodgers having his eyes affixed toward heaven, leaving behind the tribulations of this world, to live life in everlasting glory. Leaving to cherish his precious memories: his wife Daphine Rodgers, his legacy of four sons Curtis Anthony Rodgers, II, Justin Christopher Rodgers, Christian Darius Rodgers, Elder Luke Maximillian Rodgers, one daughter in love Natalie Rodgers, four loving grandchildren Nya Mitchell, Devine Mitchell, Journi Rodgers, and Nyviah Rodgers, his loving mother, Dr. Mary Alice Baker-Rodgers, two sisters June Calhoun, Kimberly (Elder Kelly) Pete, and one brother Elder Chetwyn (Willa) Rodgers, one godson Joshua Rodgers, a host of nieces, nephews, uncle and aunts Toni (Vern), Agnes (Al), Dr. Charles and Dr. Gloria Rodgers, his devotion and joy the Chetwyn Rodgers Faith Memorial COGIC family, the Chetwyn Rodgers Drive Development Center, his two very special friends and brothers Tom Sodeika, and Jim Johnson, and a host of friends and associates.
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