Bernard Taylor, born on December 24th in Brooklyn, NY, is the son of the late Lovatee Craft and the late James Taylor. He is the devoted husband of Tynese Taylor and proud father of six children—triplets Bryan, Bria, and Briana Taylor, along with Ashley Leverette, Bernard Jr., and Tyanda Taylor. He is also a loving grandfather to three grandchildren: Lashyia, Avary, and Dria Leverette.

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Superintendent Taylor graduated from Lincoln High School in Midland, Pennsylvania, and continued his education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (I.U.P.) and CCB College. In 1986, he rededicated his life to Christ at Open Door C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of the late Dr. Jerry V. Burns. He was ordained as an Elder in 1997 by the late Bishop Clarence Sexton Sr. His ministerial training includes studies at O.M. Kelly, Manhattan Bible Institute, and Te’Hillah School of Urban Ministries.

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Superintendent Taylor is deeply involved in ministry and community outreach. He currently serves as:

• President, COGIC World Missions Training

• Regional Director, COGIC World Missions (NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD)

• Coordinator, NYC Awakening

• Coordinator, East Coast Disaster Relief

• President, Open Door Family Life Center, Inc.

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Through the Family Life Center, he oversees a weekly food pantry that serves over 135,000 families annually.

His community efforts have been recognized with numerous honors, including:

• Proclamations from former NYC Public Advocate Letitia James and NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery

• Congressional Proclamation from Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

• Citation from former Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams

• Honorary Doctorate of Ministry from Anointed by God Ministries Alliance and Seminary

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Superintendent Taylor’s unwavering commitment to people—locally and globally—reflects his heart as a humanitarian and servant leader. He faithfully leads Open Door C.O.G.I.C. and the Bishop Norman N. Quick Memorial District under the spiritual leadership of Bishop Tyrone L. Butler, Jurisdictional Prelate of the New York Southeast Jurisdiction.

He lives by his mother’s cherished words, “Rise and shine, give God the glory,” and continues to rely on the power of “the twins”—fasting and praying. His personal motto: “Everybody is Somebody.”