Our Presiding Prelate

Apostle R.L. Freeman accepted his call to ministry in 1975 and began his pastorate of the United Community Cathedral in July of 1984 where he has remained faithful as Senior Pastor for the past 33 years. Consecrated in September of 2005, Apostle Freeman has since been enthroned as Presiding Prelate of the Christians Equipping Christians for Outreach Fellowship, Inc. (CECO) in October of 2007 where he has served and lead for the past 10 years.

Apostle Freeman’s first sermon was preached in January of 1976 at Emmanuel Baptist Church of Kansas City, Missouri where Bishop Dr. W. H. White is the Senior Pastor. Following the Call of the Lord, Reverend Freeman served under the ministries of the late Bishop Emmanuel Newton – Christian Tabernacle (COGIC), and Bishop Charles Slayton (Metropolitan Spiritual Church). Following a move to Wichita, Kansas Reverend Freeman and his family soon began worshipping at Tabernacle Church, and then New Jerusalem Baptist Church. Continuing to follow the Call of God on his life, Reverend Freeman and his family returned to Missouri and in time was installed as the pastor of the United Community Missionary Baptist Church of Columbia, MO on July 15, 1984.

As one of God’s generals in the State of Missouri, and particularly in the central Missouri area, over eight churches were birthed out of United’s elders to pastor their own churches. It was also because of his humble spirit and obedient heart that Pastor Freeman would continue ministering the Gospel in such fashion that it caused him to minister in the same circles national pastors and evangelist ministered. In time, Pastor Freeman became Overseer Freeman under Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. In like fashion, Bishop W.H. White consecrated him to the Office of the Bishopric in September 2005, and in October 2007 Bishop Freeman received the Eastern and Western Streams of Apostolic Succession from Bishop Larry D. Trotter, Sr. It was then that Bishop Trotter enthroned Bishop Freeman as the Presiding Prelate over Christians Equipping Christians for Outreach Fellowship, Inc. On January 27, 2018, because of his work in the Kingdom, he was affirmed to the office of Apostle by Apostle Levi King.

Having licensed, ordained and consecrated over one-hundred ministers into the gospel ministry, Apostle Freeman’s ecumenical endeavors promote apostolic ministry with an emphasis on the development and strengthening of the Church’s pastors, bishops and apostles. His ecclesiastical focus is on spiritual fathering and church governance.

Apostle Freeman’s family life includes the care and support of his mother, Emma Freeman, his loving daughter, Mia Ferrell and his unique and vibrant grand-daughters, Secily, Jaccara and Montiara.

Apostle Dr. Russell L. Freeman