The Late Bishop Ronnie A. Nesbitt Sr., D.D
“Building today for a Better Tomorrow”
These words fueled the inspiration and motivation of Bishop R.A. Nesbitt, Sr’s, life. He found the courage and tenacity to work diligently each day, believing that every tomorrow would be better.
“I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day, I don’t borrow from it’s sunshine, for it’s clouds may turn to gray. I don’t worry over the future, for I know what Jesus said, and today I walk beside Him for He knows what lies ahead. Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.” Bishop Nesbitt often sang this song of encouragement, to remind himself and others that all we have is this day, and we must embrace it, live in it, and build using our God given gifts and talents to fulfill His purpose in it.
“My purpose is to continue to build on the foundation of faith, courage, empowerment in love for God’s people, as established and exemplified by my parents.” Bishop R. A. Nesbitt, Sr. loved and greatly admired the life examples of the late Elder W. R. Nesbitt, Jr. and Dr. Inez Elizabeth Girardeau Nesbitt. It was their individual and collective commitment to God and family, as well as the courage within themselves, to challenge others to advance beyond their self imposed limitations.
These were the characteristics that he embraced, and aspired to use to inspire others toward excellence.
As a young man desirous of advancing the kingdom, Bishop R. A. Nesbitt, Sr. founded
an organization, Holy Dimension Interdenominational Choir, whose mission was to stimulate,
motivate and promote ministry gifts in young people. While singing was the primary focus,
Bishop Nesbitt was able to challenge young people from various denominations to live “Holy”
in this present world. This group traveled and ministered throughout the state of Florida, in Alabama and
Mississippi for over ten (10) years spreading the gospel of Christ in through the ministry of music.
He served faithfully as a member of ministry staff at Holy Alternative Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Elder W.R. Nesbitt, III, and as District Evangelist of the Gulf Coast District Church of God in Christ, Western Florida Jurisdiction.
The Heart of Jacksonville Church of God in Christ was founded in February of 1987. Bishop R.A. Nesbitt, Sr., being obedient to the leading of the Lord organized, along with Mother E.G. Nesbitt, a ministry whose mission was to wins souls for Christ, and encourage believers to experience total life transformation as a result of their kingdom decision. His passion for souls and love of God’s word was the driving force for a successful ministry foundation. His motto, “Building Today for a Better Tomor-row” kept him determined to continue. Bishop Nesbitt recognized that in our changing environ-ment, and social and socioeconomic climate, the church needed to take a more active role in per-sonal and family development. In honor of his mothers commitment to education and social de-velopment, he established the E. G. Nesbitt Center for Human and Social Development. This entity provided help and support for children and families, through the development and imple-mentation of programs, such as, academic tutoring, summer enrichment programs for youth, homeless assistance and support, family housing assistance, and family crisis counseling. As a visionary leader he fully believed “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”. For (twenty-five) 25 years , Bishop R.A. Nesbitt, Sr. worked to advance the work of ministry.
This visionary leader impacted many lives through the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, he did not limit his work to the local church, he aspired to use his gifts and talents at the District, Jurisdictional and National levels. He was one (1) of the five (5) founding Churches of Florida Sixth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, where Bishop L. T. Weaver, Sr. was the Founding Jurisdictional Prelate. Bishop Nesbitt served as an Administrative As-sistant to the Bishop, District Superintendent, Jurisdictional Secretary, and Chief Jurisdic-tional Adjutant, during his tenure with Florida Sixth. He was committed to the cause of Christ and served with a spirit of excellence until he believed that God had called him to ful-fill a greater mandate.
After prayerful consideration, he followed the leading of the Lord in 2001 to establish The Re-formed Universal Gospel Church Worldwide. This organizations mission was to support and influence institutional churches lead by the will of God and to recognize and empower all people in the ministry without respect of person. “Building Today for a Better Tomorrow” is the motto that has been the driving force of his min-istry mission. He has appointed (thirteen) 13 Bishops, Licensed and Ordained over 200 Elders and Ministers for the advancement of the Kingdom. Founder of Nesbitt Cathedral system of Churches: The Heart of Jacksonville Institutional Church, and The Heart of Brunswick.
He has received numerous recognitions including being awarded the “Key to the City of Brunswick,” in appreciation of his commitment to community empowerment and development.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delights in the them. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord shall uphold him in His righteousness.”
