Bishop G.E. Chance

Legacy of Faithful SoldierIn January of 1958 a young, progressive visionary came to Monroe, having been elected Senior Pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church on January 9 of that year. A dedicated student of the bible and an eloquent and masterful pulpiteer, this young minister began a tenure of ministry to Northeast Louisiana and the twin cities in particular, that would impact the lives of thousands of people for over half a century. Glenn E. Chance went from there to become a well known and beloved favorite son of the city he loved and gave himself tirelessly to from 1958 until his passing on January 7, 2015. The wisdom and leadership of Pastor G.E. Chance is legendary among his peers and he became a trusted and valuable leader both in the state of Louisiana and the nation. His influence and personality was so magnetic and engaging that he became the spiritual father of many pastors, evangelists, teachers, preachers, missionaries and leaders, all of whom came out of the church in Monroe and are serving thousands for Christ at this present moment in America and the world. G.E. Chance was frequently called upon on many levels of service in leadership and ministry. He warmed and won the hearts of all he met and was looked to by both those in local and state government for input and spiritual leadership. In his younger years, Brother Chance, as he was affectionately known, was active in Youth work and was elected to serve on the statewide Louisiana District Youth Board. He and his precious wife of 65 years were inseparable in life and in ministry. Both had a passion for Sunday School and G.E. was elected to serve on the statewide Sunday School Board of the United Pentecostal Church International for a period of time. He loved Home Missionaries and at one time in his ministry pastored a Home Missions work in Bunkie, La. Again, his leadership was recognized and he was elected to serve on the statewide Louisiana District Home Missions Board. It was inevitable that such a man with wisdom, compassion and love for God, the ministry and people would be called upon to serve on the statewide Louisiana District Presbytery Board. For the next 34 years he served the churches of Northeast La., region or section 9, presiding over business meetings, conducting church elections, serving as an arbiter for conflict resolution and representing the ministers of his region on the state board. From 1972 until he retired from the presbytery in 2006, G.E. Chance placed hand prints on the work of God through his service and leadership. At the time of his passing, he still served as an Honorary District Board Member and served on the budget committee and Campground committee of the La. District, UPCI. In addition to these, G.E. also served as State Chaplain for Prison Ministries for many years. His voice was familiar to Monroe on his weekly Radio Broadcast and many still sing with fond memories the theme song, “If you’ll take one step toward the Lord, He’ll take two steps toward you.” Pastor Chance also served as Executive Presbyter on the National Presbytery General Board, representing the South Central Region of the UPCI.G.E. Chance voice was not only heard in Monroe at First United Pentecostal church which later was renamed Christian Life Church, but his ministry was heard in Camp Meeting, Conferences and Leadership Meeting across America from coast to coast. That same powerful and dynamic voice was heard in South America, Canada, South Africa, Puerto Rico and other parts of the world. G.E. Chance was a man to be heard by divine mandate and his ministry led him to the White House, invited by Congressman Jerry Huckaby and to the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion invited by the Governor.It has been an amazing journey for Bishop G. E. Chance! He was elected to Monroe on January 9, 1958. His family, church, peers and friends will lay him to rest on Friday, January 9, 57 years to the day that he came into this city to fulfill his ministry. He passed from this life to his heavenly home on January 7, 2015 at 11:25 A.M. His journey took him from 1600 South Second, the site of the church campus when he arrived, through 1600 Parkview Dr. and the larger building he erected seating approx. 500 in 1965. It was at this location that he founded Monroe Kindergarten and Monroe Christian School which later became Eastpark Christian Academy. The journey continued, as the church grew, and in 1988 the present beautiful facility and campus was built providing seating for 1500. To his church and his family, G.E. Chance was their Bishop, their Champion of the Faith, loved deeply and revered as a Pastor, Father, Husband and best friend. His wisdom led them! His commitment influenced them! His authenticity impacted them! His stature was bigger than life! He was the king of one liners and his humor is legend. The love of his life was Ellen Long Chance and she was first above everything excepting his personal relationship with Christ Jesus. For 65 years, together, they wove the fabric of example to all who would follow! His children dream of becoming like him and the present pastor of Christian Life Church is one of his sons, Pastor Danny G. Chance, who keeps the Legacy alive in a manner after the example of his father.The story of Bishop Glenn E. chance can only be told in the life of integrity he lived in this community for almost 60 years, the many baptisms he conducted, the babies he dedicated, the weddings he performed, the people he pointed to Christ, the lives he touched, the people he helped, the prayers that he prayed and above all by the powerful anointed voice of his messages. G.E. chance was born August 15, 1932 in Selman City, Texas and married in September 1949 to Ellen Long in McLeod, Tx. He is survived by three children: Pastor Paul Michael ( Mike ) Chance and wife Mony Bush, Pastor Danny G. Chance and wife Earline Griffin, and Gaye Lynnelle Lewis and husband, Pastor Zale Lewis, And one brother-Cecil Chance and wife JoAnn.He is also survived by nine grandchildren:Danny Glenn Chance, Jr married to Maggie Jolly; Crystal Acreman; Heather, married to Mark Stevens; Shana, married to Dustin Clark; Reverend Shane Chance, married to Randa Mayville; Ericka Morgan; Reverend Rory Chance, married to Jocelyn Compton; Holly Lewis, married to Sean Bryan; Reverend Chance Lewis, married to Sarah Spivey.He is also survived by twenty great grandchildren:Kylea and Cameron Clark; Devon, Gage and Benjamin Chance; Aidan, Jordan and Brynn Morgan; Jireh and Rowan Chance. Eden and Noah Bryan; Zane and Zale Lewis; Drew and Ava Stevens; Bryce Acreman; Ashlee, Allie and Paris Chance.He is preceded in death by his father-Pearl Marlon Chance, Mother-Cevella Edna Armstrong Chance, Brothers-W.T. Chance, W.J. Chance, Shirrell Chance, Sister- Edna Blazek and Daughter in law- Sharon Chance and a Church Family and church Board who loved him dearly.Funeral services will be held at 7:00 PM, Friday, January 9, 2015, at Christian Life Church, Monroe, LA, with Rev. T.F. Tenny, Rev. Kevin Cox, Rev. Billy Hale, Rev. Anthony Mangum, and Rev. Terry Creekmore officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Friday, at the church. Interment will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 10, 2015, at the Mulhearn Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.Memorials may be made to Planting for the Future at Christian Life Church in Monroe.Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.comMulhearn Funeral HomeSterlington RoadMonroe, LA