The Right Reverend James Wilbert Proctor, the fourth of six siblings born to the late Mr. Simon and Mrs. Gertrude Proctor in Lake Charles, has been elevated to serve the Office of Jurisdictional Prelate of the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Louisiana Church of God in Christ, Inc. The Jurisdiction, comprised of more than 150 churches in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi will be honoring Bishop Proctor’s elevation to this sacred office with an Inaugural celebration banquet at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Lafayette. Special guest and keynote speaker for the occasion will be His Eminence Charles E. Blake I of Los Angeles, California, the Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ, Inc.
Bishop Proctor was recommended by the General Board, the Presidium of the Church of God in Christ, and confirmed by the General Assembly the legislative body in the Church of God in Christ for this office and appointment on April 4, 2017 at its Headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. He served as the Bishop Designate until he was consecrated to this sacred office on Nov. 12, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri at the International Holy Convocation by the General Board. He was officially assigned to assume the leadership of the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Louisiana.
He attended public schools in the Lake Charles City School System, and upon graduation from Boston High School, he matriculated to McNeese State University where he received the bachelor of arts degree and later a masters of education degree. He also received a master degree in theological studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and did further studies at seven other universities and seminaries. The Doctor of Ministry degree was received from Trinity Bible College and Seminary.
During his teaching years in Rayne, he met and married his wife, Dr. Ezora J. Proctor, to whom he has been married for the past 48 years. James and Ezora are the proud parents of two children, Trina Renee and the late Marcus Jacques, who have brought them great happiness and joy. Their two grandchildren are Taj Jacques and Trevyn Cole.