Lifeline from The Master
In Memoriam
Bishop T.A. Body
Bishop Thomas Alvin Body, the third of four children, born to John and Rena Body, was a blessed recipient of Holy Instruction at the feet of his mother, who was a faithful member of the Church of God in Christ until her demise. The difficult conditions of life forced upon African Americans prompted his parents to encourage young Thomas to pursue a sound academic foundation. His high school completion at the young age of fifteen rewarded their efforts. Further academic pursuits followed at Bishop College, East Dallas College, Dallas Christian College, and John F. Kennedy University, where he received his Master’s Degree in Psychology. He then graduated magna cum laude with a Doctorate Degree in Psychology from Strasford University.
Wheatley Church of God in Christ became home for Bishop Body under the leadership of the late Elder Wilson Tolbert. He was licensed and ordained by the late Bishop F. L. Haynes, who was the Prelate of the Texas Northeast Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. Bishop Body has been involved with the Church of God in Christ in various capacities and at multiple levels.
He served faithfully at St. James C.O.G.I.C. under the late Bishop William James. Through his dedication to his pastor, Bishop James appointed him as the First Administrative Assistant of the International Youth Congress. As his commitment to reaching lost souls became more widely recognized, he was appointed by the International Church of God in Christ’s Board of Evangelism as its National Coordinator.
Bishop Body appeared on several syndicated television and radio broadcast programs, consistently focusing on reaching the lost and encouraging believers to have confidence in the Word of God. He and his family were featured in the 25th Anniversary Edition of Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family magazine. Additionally, Bishop Body served as editor-in-chief of several newspapers and radio announcer at KNOK 970 A.M., the top station in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
He was a trained psychologist, marital counselor, theologian, and an exceptional teacher. Bishop Body is still referred to as the “preacher’s preacher.” He continues to inspire vast audiences with messages such as “God is Smart,” “Potiphar’s House,” “Strange Way We’ve Come, but It Was God Who Brought Us,” and “I Think It’s Time for God to Write Again.”
Bishop Body leaves behind a legacy to carry on and new dreams to build for the One Accord Church, along with his loving wife, Pastor Darlene A. Body, the Body family, and the members of his beloved One Accord.