Supt. Nathan Alexander Woodward

REFLECTIONS OF LIFE …….. SUPERINTENDANT NATHAN ALEXANDER WOODWARD was born on January 6, 1970 in Hartford, CT to Nathaniel Woodward and the late Vonnie Lee (Westberry) Woodward. He was their only biological son. Pastor Nathan was educated the first six years of his life in the Glastonbury school system and later educated and graduated from the Hartford school system. He later studied graphic design at Porter and Chester Institute, Wethersfield, CT. Pastor Nathan has a long work history in retail customer service and bank management. He was employed by Bank of America, working first in the tax office, in human resources and later in their loan department. From a young child Elder Nathan was blessed with musical ability. When he was a child, his mother was led to give all her children to Him. They immediately got on their knees and gave their children to God. Pastor Nathan’s family worshiped at Holy Trinity COGIC where Bishop I.L. Jefferson was the Pastor. Young Nathan sang in the “Heavenly Choir" under the direction of Elder Hubert Powell, who was at the time the church organist. It was there that he observed and learned how to play and how to train a choir. When he was nine years old, Pastor Powell gave him a song to lead, “Let Us All Go Back.” This was the start of his music ministry. In 1980 Elder Nathaniel Woodward was led to change church membership. After much prayer and the leading of God, the family changed their membership to Christ Temple COGIC under the leadership of Dr. J.C. Haynes. Christ Temple Church is where Pastor Nathan got his foundation in the music ministry. He started on the drums, carefully watched the hand movements of musicians and utilized his God given gift and his memory of Pastor Powell’s playing and began to move forward. Pastor Nathan went from the Sunshine Band to the Voices of Paradise, playing the piano and then on to the organ. He became Minister of Music in 2005. Pastor Nathan has served in the local church and as a District and Jurisdictional musician. In July 2005, he preached his trial sermon and in 2007 he was ordained as an Elder by Jurisdictional Bishop C.H. Brewer, Jr. In February 2017, Elder Nathan was made interim Pastor of Christ Temple and on October 29, 2017, he was appointed and installed as Pastor of Christ Temple COGIC by Bishop C.H. Brewer, Jr. In 2019, the church’s name was changed to Greater Christ Temple Church Of God In Christ. Offices currently held in CT First Jurisdiction are District Supt of the C.H. Brewer Memorial District; Vice Chairman of the Pastors and Elders Council; Member of the Ordination Board and Connecticut First Jurisdiction Prayer Warrior. Pastor Nathan is survived by his wife Evangelist Yvette (Jones) Woodward. They are parents to ten children; Tivia Woodward, Shamira Woodward, Sharae Woodward, Brandon Jones, Taylor Woodward, Denzel Jones, Jahiem Mills, Samiyah Bates, Josiah Torres-Stearns and Ta’leyah Torres- Stearns; Four Grandchildren; Carter, JeZell, Genesis and Braxton; Two bonus children Catherine Channer and Elder Michael Rush; His father and stepmother Elder Nathaniel and Lady Barbara Woodward of Hinesville, Ga.; Three sisters, Sharon Woodward, Shelah Wilcox, and Anavah (Daniel) Bryant; His mother in law Connie Jones; His brother/cousin Marvin Woodward; God children Tena Gamble, Antasia Brown and Janet Judkins; a host of uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews, cousins, His Greater Temple Church Family, other relatives and many friends including special friends Elder Christopher Horton and Pastor James Gattison. Pastor Nathan was predeceased by his mother Vonnie Lee (Westberry) Woodward and his sister Jacqueline Day. One of the Pastor’s favorite statements is “you have to change the way that you think so that you can change the way that you live. “

Supt. Nathan Alexander Woodward

January 6, 1970 - May 24, 2023