[msb-alumni] Bogle loved radio work, preaching; George Bogle Died on February 12, 2021
- From: Steve <pipeguy920@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <msb-alumni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2021 22:45:57 -0500
BlankI first heard of him when Pat Fogel did a great immitation of him in 1968.
What an
institution in Detroit radio; I last listened to him probably sometime last
Spring. During
the 1970's, he could really get wound up when praying; he was more laid back in
the past ten
years or so when I heard him. But, fifty-three years for a radio program with
the same
person has to be close to a record, although I think Paul Harvey probably holds
the longest
in broadcast history.
Steve
Bogle loved radio work, preaching By Minnah Arshad Detroit Free Press
Evangelical Christian pastor the Rev. George William Bogle was a man of God.
Hobbies didn't
interest him; neither did television nor idle chatter. Of everything, he loved
his nightly
prayer request radio broadcast and preaching most.
In his 86 years of life, the Michigan-based paster touched millions. On Feb.
12, Bogle died
peacefully in his sleep, at a rehabilitation center weeks after undergoing
surgery for neck
cancer.
"Because of all the things Dad did, he won the love of people. And if you
travel the circles
of the church community in Detroit, there's not many, especially if they're
over the age of
25, that have not heard of Pastor Bogle and in some ways touched by him," said
Bogle's
eldest son, George Bogle Jr.
The elder Bogle's journey to ministry began with a weekly broadcast, "Night
Vision,"
starting in 1967, that ran for half an hour. In 90 days, the program
transformed into a
nightly broadcast that lasted two hours.
From there, it continued to grow over multiple stations. Bogle would answer
prayer requests
until 2a.m. "One call after another, people would call with "My mom's having
surgery
tomorrow would you pray,"
"My son's on drugs, would you pray," "My marriage is in rupture, would you
pray" and he took
one call after another," said George Bogle Jr.
The program's reach continued to grow, and in 1970, the elder Bogle moved with
his family to
Detroit and opened the House of Prayer, a ministry that drew a racially diverse
crowd and
was something Bogle was known for.
"It's the radio broadcast, I'll say, the catalyst, and even the glue, that held
a lot of
things together," George Bogle Jr. said.
A few blocks down from the House of Prayer was the Grande Ballroom, known as
the heart of
rock 'n' roll. In 1977, the pastor bought the ballroom, his son recalled.
There, the pastor
would host Christian concerts, with singers like Honeytree and B.J. Thomas, and
hold church
services.
The elder Bogle opened two Evangel Christian Academies and three Evangel Church
locations;
the first opened in Detroit at Stansbury and Grand River, the second on Conner
Avenue on
Detroit's east side, and the third in Taylor on Pardee.
In 1978, his ministry started a television program, "The Spirit of Detroit," a
live
broadcast similar to the radio show -- The pastor received two Spirit of
Detroit awards, two
Mayoral Proclamations and was the subject of the Michigan Senate and House of
Representatives Joint Resolution 306.
Throughout his accomplishments in the Christian community, Bogle remained
himself with
everyone.
"My dad was the same guy out of the pulpit that he was in the pulpit," his son
said.
When the senior Bogle wasn't preaching or praying, he spent his time reading
books on God,
health and current events. He believed in taking care of the physical self,
which led him to
open the Love My Body Gym and Fitness Center, a place to nurture the bodies and
minds of the
Christian community. The pastor also enjoyed motorcycling around on his Harley,
his son
recalled. The father-son duo even rode to North Dakota.
However, in six decades of work, his son said Bogle only took about five
vacations. Prayer
and preaching continued to be his life's purpose.
Shirley Bogle, the pastor's wife of more than 65 years, remembered her
husband's energy.
"He was a blessing and encouragement to many people," said Shirley Bogle. She
said he'd
return from a long day's work and then turn his focus to "Night Vision" for
three hours of
prayer.
The couple first met in 1954, in her future father-in-law's church. A year
later, they were
married.
"This year, August 13th, would've been 66 years for us, but we didn't quite
make it,"
Shirley Bogle said.
The pastor was the cherished brother of Sharon, Joe, the late Bill and the late
Lucille. He
is survived by his wife, Shirley, his children, George Jr., Tim, Tara and Kirk;
his
grandchildren, Brent, Blair, Coleton, Rick, Chad and Luke; a great-grandson,
Mario; his
in-laws, and nieces and nephews. Memories of the late pastor can be shared with
the family
at their online guestbook .
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