Bishop Theophilus A.E. Price

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World

1934 ~ 2008

Bishop Theophilus Price was born November 10, 1934, in Union Town, Alabama, to Jessie and Rosa Lee Craig Price. He was born at night in a house with holes in the roof, so his mother saw real stars when he came, delivered by his grandmother. 

His parents, along with his brother Jessie moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where Theophilus attended school and graduated from Parker high School down the street from his house. 

At the age of three Theophilus made a record preaching and the sermon was entitled, "Chickens." So without much religious background other than his mother attending the baptist Church, he seemed destined to become a servant of Christ.

Weary with home life and the Southern attitudes, Theophilus joined the Marines after graduation so that he could finally buy things for his mother. He had boot camp in Le June, Louisiana, where the mosquitoes and sand fleas drove him to distraction. He landed in Korea, fighting an unsupported war for his country. 

Aftyer returning from war, he moved around a bit and finally landed in Los Angeles with nowhere to lay his head. He found some friends, Reverend and Mrs. John Sanders and family, and they gave him a place to stay.

In February 1956, he felt the yearning to seek a church home. He later joined Reverend Pleasant's church where he began his schooling in the ministry. He attended several Bible colleges, including Biola in Los Angeles. He received the holy while praying in the upper room of a Baptist church. 

Later he began preaching in Palm Springs, where he went to Paso Robles, Santa Maria and san Bernardino beginning churches for his pastor, Reverend Pleasant. It was in Paso Robles that he met Elder Rosendo Chavez, who told him about baptism in Jesus' name, which he at first refused. Years later he again met Elder Chavez and was baptized in the name of Jesus.

In 1963 he went to the First Pentecostal Church in Phoenix, Arizona, and met Marie  Joyce Eddings. After a six month courtship, they were married on May 23, 1964, and immediately moved to Hayward, California. Three children were born to this union. After a brief sabbatical in Phoenix, Arizona, they moved to San Jose, California, and from that point  his ministry legacy would began.

He was a prolific song writer of over 100 songs, the author of six books, and an enthusiastic and accomplished preacher of God's unadulterated, infallible Word without fear or favor for 51 years.  

On March 20, 2008 this valiant hero was called home to his eternal reward.