About Us
Burning Bush OCOG History
In the late 1930’s, with the foresight and efforts of Sister Elar Taylor, the Original Church of God in Belvidere, TN. was established. While attending a revival in Winchester, TN. several souls were saved. As a result of the souls saved, the people began to have prayer service and bible study once a week at the homes of individuals. Different ministers would come to Belvidere to conduct worship services. Sister Fannie Lowe, Sister Lula Mae Swanson and Elder Abraham Swanson were some of the committed ones. During this time Sister Mattie Lucy Hill suggested that a shack be built to worship in. When this was suggested, Sister L. M. Swanson challenged the congregation to endeavor to build a church building. Property at 80 Burning Bush Lane was purchased from Brother Nat Gross.
Work began to erect a building in which to worship God. The church was completed in 1939 and dedicated by Elder C.W. Gray. Sister L.M. Swanson was elected as Pastor of Belvidere Original Church of God. During her time as Pastor she added the word jehovah to the name therefore, the church was then called, “The Original Jehovah Church of God” or Sanctified Church. Later the word Jehovah was dropped from the name. Sister Swanson had several assistant pastors and other ministers who assisted her during her tenure as pastor and during her illness. To name a few: Elder J.T. Cleveland, Elder Robert Griffin, Sister Minnie Johnson, and Elder Guy Taylor.
Under the leadership of Pastor L.M. Swanson and Elder John James Swanson the church was remodeled and a kitchen and fellowship hall, spearheaded by Deacon Lawrence Taylor was added to the property. Pastor L. M. Swanson passed away in 1988. Since her death, the church has had four pastors. Pastor Lee R. Brannon, III is the current pastor and was called to serve the church in 2001 and was installed as the pastor in 2002 by Bishop George W. Price, Jr.
On January 7, 2007 at a business meeting Pastor Brannon made the motion that would officially add Burning Bush to the name of the church. The motion was seconded by Deacon James Burnett and Sister Charlotte Childress. The Belvidere church is now known as Burning Bush Original Church of God.
Pastor Brannon shared many times with the congregation the vision God had given him to build a new edifice at the same location. In 2007, 13.4 acres of land that was connected to the existing property was purchased. A building committee was formed and began seeking information of what must be done to erect a building on the property. Trustee Mitchell Turrentine drew plans according to the specifications of what the Pastor Brannon had envisioned. The plans hung on the wall in the pastor study until 2010. Pastor Brannon challenged himself and the members to give a sacrificial offering for one year and the members bought in on the plan. Pastor Brannon sacrificed his salary for one year and the others prayed and sacrificed the amount that God blessed them to give.
The building committee began to search for a contractor and made visits to banks in order to acquire a loan. Grider Construction (a local firm) was hired and Citizens Community Bank was willing to secure the loan. On February 18, 2011 Pastor Lee Brannon and his wife Sister Tonya Brannon, Deaconess Barbara Brannon, Deacon James Burnett, Deacon Darrell Corn, Brother Napoleon Nelson, Brother Mitchell Turrentine signed a construction loan. On February 27, 2011, Burning Bush had a groundbreaking ceremony. March 11, 2011 the foundation was laid. September 29, 2011 Pastor Lee Brannon and the Burning Bush congregation marched from the old building into the new sanctuary praising God for His awesome blessings. October 2, 2012 Bishop George W. Price, presiding bishop of the Original Church of God dedicated the building of the Lord. Pastor Brannon’s pastor Theresa Northcutt prayed the dedicatory prayer.
Former pastors and dates:
Pastor L. M. Swanson 1939-1988
Pastor John James Swanson 1988-1993
Pastor Sara Pinkerton Phillips 1993-1998
Pastor Sunday Dell Perkins 1998- 2001
Pastor Lee R. Brannon, III 2001-present
Pastor's Bio
Pastor Lee Brannon is the pastor of Burning Bush Original Church of God in Belvidere, Tennessee, where the vision is Burning Bush: “A Spiritual Hospital.” He has served the saints faithfully at Burning Bush since 2001.
Pastor Brannon lives with his lovely wife, Tonya Brannon, in Winchester, Tennessee. They have two daughters, Hannah and Mikah.
Pastor Brannon’s educational journey is a testament to his commitment to learning. He completed his schooling in the Franklin County School system in Tennessee and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Alabama A&M University. His thirst for knowledge led him to earn a master’s in education with an emphasis in school counseling and a Specialist in Education Degree in Instructional Leadership from Middle Tennessee State University. Pastor Brannon earned his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in theology from Kingdom Builders School of Theology in Orlando, Florida in the last two years.
Pastor Brannon is currently employed by the Tullahoma City School system as a school counselor at East Middle School. He is very active in his community.
Pastor Brannon has been involved in the Original Church of God’s National and State work. He is the current General Overseer and a member of the Bishop’s Cabinet.
Our Vision
Burning Bush OCOG vision is “A Spiritual Hospital” and “A Place of Revelation” Exodus 3:1-11. We are a congregation who is seeking to know the will of God for our lives. We believe that each individual is equipped by God to serve the body of Christ and we want very much to be involved in God’s work, here on this earth. At Burning Bush OCOG, we are striving to be “a church on the move for Jesus Christ.” Despite what you have been through our desire is to love as Christ loved so you can be whole and do the work of the Lord.
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