DETROIT – Community members are remembering the life and legacy of a faith leader who was known for his charitable work across the Metro Detroit area.
Family and church members who attend Divine Restoration Ministries gathered at a public visitation for Bishop J. Richard Evans on Tuesday (Jan. 16).
The popular faith leader passed on Wednesday, Jan. 3.
“My husband was a giver,” said Pastor Tenisia Evans. “He would give you the shirt off his back.”
Bishop Evans was a father of five. He had eight grandchildren. He was an author, an entrepreneur, and a religious and community leader who made community service his mission.
“When you looked for Bishop Evans, you’d see him amongst his sheep,” Tenisia said. “He was with the people. Teaching them. Loving on them. Supporting them. Whatever dreams they had, we would support those dreams.”
Family members say Bishop Evans’s passing was sudden. Tenisia said, “It was really unexpected. It was literally a shock to the kingdom. A shock to people all over.”
Bishop and Tenisia started Divine Restoration Ministries in their home 25 years ago. The couple saw their ministry expand globally from their church on Harper Avenue in Detroit, Michigan.
“He just had a passion,” Tenisia said while remembering her husband.
Bishop’s drive and passion for helping others allowed him to mentor dozens of church members who had dreams of entrepreneurship.
The couple started Restoration House Community Center. That program helped feed over 400 people a week at Mt. Clemons and Detroit campuses.
It was during the pandemic when Bishop Evans launched the 1,000 Souls Fed Initiative.
“And we did it,” Tenisia said. “We made it happen. And every year, we fed 1,000 people.”
The food distribution program is still viable and growing.
Tenisia said she wants people to remember the Bishop as a man of integrity who had a Godly character and who loved God’s people.
Family members said the work he started is far from over. They said they will continue honoring Bishop J. Richard Evans’ life and legacy for years to come.
“Bishop would always say, ‘Don’t just write the vision, work the vision,” Tenisia said.
A Celebration of Life Service for Bishop J. Richard Evans will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 17, at the Fountain of Truth Christian Center in Detroit, Michigan.