Bishop Carlton Pearson is one of the most fascinating and polarizing figures in modern American Christianity. Once a highly respected Pentecostal preacher and a protégé of the legendary Oral Roberts, Pearson enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence, attracting tens of thousands of followers to his charismatic ministry. But his controversial embrace of the “Gospel of Inclusion” led to his dramatic fall from grace in the evangelical community, leaving him ostracized and criticized by many of his peers and former followers. Despite this, Pearson has persevered, continuing to spread his message of unconditional love and radical inclusion.
In this article, we will explore the life of Bishop Carlton Pearson, examining his early years, rise to prominence, theological transformation, the fallout from his controversial beliefs, and his enduring legacy as a spiritual leader and advocate for compassion and inclusivity.
Early Life and Spiritual Journey
Carlton D’metrius Pearson was born on March 19, 1953, in San Diego, California, into a devoutly Christian family. He grew up immersed in the Pentecostal tradition, a branch of Christianity that emphasizes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues, prophecy, and divine healing. From an early age, Pearson demonstrated a passion for ministry and a gift for public speaking, setting the stage for his future as a spiritual leader.
After graduating from Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Pearson became closely associated with Oral Roberts, the charismatic televangelist and founder of the university. Roberts recognized Pearson’s potential and took him under his wing, grooming him as a successor in the Pentecostal and charismatic Christian world. Pearson’s oratory skills and vibrant personality made him a magnetic preacher, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most dynamic voices in the church.
In 1981, Pearson founded Higher Dimensions Evangelistic Center, a megachurch in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that became one of the largest and most influential churches in the region. Under his leadership, the church attracted a diverse congregation, including African Americans, whites, and other ethnic groups, which was relatively uncommon in the racially segregated American church landscape of the time.
The Rise of a Pentecostal Star
By the 1990s, Bishop Carlton Pearson had become a household name in Christian circles. His vibrant preaching style, combined with his commitment to racial reconciliation and community outreach, earned him widespread respect. He was a frequent guest on Christian television networks, a sought-after speaker at conferences, and a prominent figure in the growing megachurch movement.
Higher Dimensions Church became known for its lively worship services, where attendees experienced ecstatic praise, exuberant singing, and powerful sermons. Pearson’s ministry also embraced contemporary gospel music, and he became a pioneer in the genre. He was instrumental in popularizing praise and worship music, even producing a Grammy-nominated live album titled Live at Azusa.
At the height of his influence, Pearson was a spiritual advisor to presidents, celebrities, and other high-profile figures. He had achieved what many pastors could only dream of—massive influence, a thriving ministry, and a platform to share his faith with the world.
But beneath the surface of his success, Pearson was wrestling with deep theological questions that would eventually lead to a seismic shift in his beliefs.
The Gospel of Inclusion: A Theological Transformation
In the late 1990s, Carlton Pearson experienced a crisis of faith that would forever change the trajectory of his life and ministry. According to Pearson, this transformation began during a moment of deep reflection. He was watching a news report about the Rwandan genocide, where hundreds of thousands of people had been brutally murdered. Pearson was haunted by the thought that so many of these individuals, who had never heard the Christian Gospel, would be condemned to eternal hellfire simply because they had not accepted Jesus as their savior.
This idea, which had been a cornerstone of evangelical theology, suddenly seemed incompatible with the God of love and mercy that Pearson had preached about for years. He began to question the traditional Christian doctrine of hell and eternal damnation, leading him to a radical reinterpretation of the Gospel.
Pearson developed what he called the “Gospel of Inclusion,” a theological belief that rejected the exclusivist idea that salvation was only available to Christians who accepted Jesus in the traditional evangelical sense. Instead, Pearson asserted that salvation was a universal gift from God, available to all people, regardless of their religious background, beliefs, or actions. He argued that the concept of hell as eternal punishment was inconsistent with God’s unconditional love and grace.
Pearson’s Gospel of Inclusion was rooted in universal reconciliation, the belief that all souls would ultimately be reconciled with God. While this idea has a historical basis in some branches of Christianity, including the early church, it was seen as heretical by most evangelical and Pentecostal traditions.
The Fallout: Ostracism and Loss
When Carlton Pearson began preaching the Gospel of Inclusion, the reaction from the evangelical community was swift and severe. Many of his peers and mentors, including Oral Roberts, denounced his teachings as heretical. Pearson was labeled a “false prophet” and accused of leading people astray from biblical truth.
The backlash had devastating consequences for Pearson’s ministry. Attendance at Higher Dimensions Church plummeted as thousands of members left the congregation, unable to reconcile Pearson’s new beliefs with their own faith. Christian television networks and conferences stopped inviting him to speak, and he became a pariah in the evangelical world.
In 2004, Pearson was officially declared a heretic by the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops, a move that further isolated him from the community that had once celebrated him. His church was eventually forced to close its doors, and Pearson lost much of the financial and institutional support that had sustained his ministry for decades.
Despite the personal and professional cost, Pearson refused to recant his beliefs. He remained steadfast in his conviction that the Gospel of Inclusion was a message of hope and liberation, especially for those who had been marginalized or condemned by traditional Christian teachings.
A New Chapter: Resilience and Redemption
After the collapse of Higher Dimensions Church, Pearson began rebuilding his life and ministry. He started preaching in Unitarian Universalist churches and other progressive Christian communities that were more accepting of his inclusive theology.
In 2006, Pearson became the senior minister of All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, a congregation known for its progressive and interfaith approach to spirituality. While his new platform was significantly smaller than his previous megachurch, it allowed him to continue sharing his message of love and inclusion with a supportive audience.
Over time, Pearson’s story began to resonate with a broader audience, including people outside the church. His journey from Pentecostal superstar to outcast to advocate for universal love was chronicled in media outlets, documentaries, and books. In 2018, his life was dramatized in the Netflix film Come Sunday, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Pearson. The film brought renewed attention to his story, introducing him to a global audience and sparking conversations about faith, redemption, and the nature of God.
The Legacy of Bishop Carlton Pearson
Today, Carlton Pearson remains a controversial figure, but his influence extends far beyond the evangelical community that once rejected him. He is a voice for religious inclusivity and spiritual exploration, challenging traditional notions of faith and encouraging others to embrace a God of unconditional love.
Pearson’s Gospel of Inclusion has also had a profound impact on individuals who have felt alienated or condemned by traditional Christianity. For LGBTQ+ Christians, people from other faiths, and those struggling with the concept of hell, his message has provided hope and healing.
While his teachings are not without critics, Pearson’s willingness to question established doctrines and follow his convictions has earned him respect as a trailblazer and reformer. His story serves as a reminder of the cost of standing up for one’s beliefs, as well as the resilience required to rebuild after personal and professional loss.
Conclusion
Bishop Carlton Pearson’s life is a testament to the power of faith, courage, and resilience. From his early days as a charismatic Pentecostal preacher to his transformation into a champion of the Gospel of Inclusion, Pearson’s journey has been marked by both triumph and tragedy.
His story challenges us to consider the nature of God, the boundaries of faith, and the importance of love and compassion in spiritual practice. Whether one agrees with his theology or not, there is no denying the profound impact he has had on the conversation about Christianity and inclusivity.
Carlton Pearson’s legacy is not just about the message he preaches—it is about the example he sets as a leader willing to question, evolve, and stand by his convictions, no matter the cost. In a world divided by religious and ideological differences, his Gospel of Inclusion remains a beacon of hope, reminding us that love is the ultimate truth.
