Keynote Speaker

Bishop Patrick L. Wooden, Sr. is a soul-stirring gospel preacher and a prolific visionary leader who is dedicated to excellence and holiness. He has been saved and serving the Lord for 44 years. He has been in the pastoral ministry for 39 years. He accepted Christ at the age of 16 and his life has been an example of what God can do when you give Him your whole heart at an early age. He attributes his success to God’s grace, mercy, unmerited favor, and good leadership. He has been married to Pamela McNeil Wooden, who has served faithfully by his side for 41 years. They have two adult children: Crystal and Patrick Jr.; one son-in-law, John; and three grandchildren: John Patrick, Pamelyn, and John, Jr.

Bishop Wooden is a CEO and businessman. He is the President and CEO of the Upper Room Church of God in Christ, overseeing an annual budget of 5 million dollars. In September, Bishop Wooden will celebrate his 35th Pastoral Anniversary. The membership now exceeds 3,000 and is steadily growing. He has given attention to building strong men, which attributes to approximately 40% of his congregation being male. Bishop Wooden has an international online following via radio, television, and social media outlets.

Bishop Wooden is a distinguished leader in the Church of God in Christ. On August 3, 2017, he was appointed as the Jurisdictional Prelate of North Carolina Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction after a unanimous recommendation in his favor by the pastors. Under the leadership of Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Bishop Wooden was appointed as Co-Chair of the International Men’s Ministry of the Church of God in Christ in June 2021.

Bishop Wooden is well-known and respected in the Body of Christ and the community. He is a renowned national speaker, known for boldly and uncompromisingly preaching and teaching about issues that adversely affect today’s society. The message that God has given him transcends cultural and denominational barriers.

In the community, Bishop Wooden and the Upper Room COGIC can be found at an abortion clinic and in the public square praying and pleading for the lives of the unborn. His allegiance to Christianity esteems him as a great Christian apologist and places him on the frontline of religious battles, where he continues to promote Jesus Christ in all spectrums of society. His involvement in societal issues, such as: protecting biblical marriage; fighting the homosexual agenda; and spearheading the “Keeping Christ in Christmas” Campaign, has catapulted him into mainstream media. He has been featured on CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, TCT, WRAL, and The O’Reilly Factor. He has also been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Al-Jazeera, Associated Press, Huffington Post, Charisma, Whole Truth and on Daystar and IMPACT television networks and a host of local and national media outlets.

Bishop Wooden lives by the principle of GOD FIRST!