Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Suffragan Bishop Gregory Alexander Pratt
 “A Shepherd. A Scholar. A Servant.”

Suffragan Bishop Gregory Alexander Pratt, a devoted pastor, beloved educator, and steadfast servant of God, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2025, leaving behind a profound legacy of leadership, love, and faith. Born to Bishop Cecil and Delores Pratt on December 6, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan, Bishop Pratt was a man of great wisdom, unwavering compassion, and divine purpose.

For more than 36 years, Bishop Pratt faithfully shepherded Emmanuel Apostolic Church on Cleveland’s West Side, where he cultivated what he lovingly called “a safe spiritual community.” He was saved at Church of Jesus (Springfield, OH) under his father, Bishop Cecil A. Pratt, and served in ministry at Pentecostal Church of Christ (Cleveland, OH) under Bishop Charles Watkins, until founding Emmanuel in 1989. Under his visionary leadership, Emmanuel became a place of restoration, learning, and belonging—a spiritual home for generations of believers seeking healing and a deeper walk with Christ.

A gifted teacher and anointed preacher, Bishop Pratt’s ministry extended far beyond the pulpit. His signature teachings, such as “Leading Holiness in the 21st Century,” affirmed his belief that holiness is not merely a command, but an authenticating process—one that reveals, refines, and restores. He taught with clarity, lived with compassion, and led with conviction, mentoring countless spiritual sons and daughters and equipping others for excellence—spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally.

In addition to his pastoral work, Bishop Pratt was a retired mental health practitioner, integrating his clinical training with his spiritual calling. A passionate advocate for the intersection of faith and mental health, he became a respected voice in both arenas, speaking across the country on emotional intelligence, spiritual maturity, and integrity in leadership. His influence also extended into academia—he studied Organizational Leadership at Walden University, earning ABD status toward his Ph.D. in 2013. He brought that same spirit of scholarship to his role as Chair of the Ohio District Council Leadership and Education Committee, where he helped shape future church leaders.

Bishop Pratt joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in 1968 and embodied the fraternity’s motto, “First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All,” with remarkable consistency and grace.

He was known for his calm wisdom and thoughtful sayings, none more cherished than some of his final words of instruction given from the hospital bed.  He reminded the family that “Integrity is the most important thing” and admonished us all – with a sense of power and urgency beyond his then physical strength – to “Finish well!”

Bishop Pratt was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dr. Charleyse S. Pratt, whose guiding words were: “It is more important for us to be together than for me to be right.” Together, they modeled a love rooted in unity, purpose, and divine alignment.

He is lovingly survived by his children: Elder Bryan Pratt (wife Elder Melanie Pratt), Jarrett Pratt (wife Leigh Pratt), and Tiffany Pratt; and his grandchildren: Kenleigh Dior Black-Pratt, August Pratt, Grayson Pratt, and Dr. Tyler Clark-Pratt. As the eldest of five siblings, he is survived by Debra Burks, Renia Phillips, and Brad Pratt, and was preceded in death by Krystale Burks and Cecil Pratt. He is also remembered with deep affection by a host of nieces, nephews, church members, and spiritual sons and daughters—each a testament to his enduring impact, each a star well-guided by his light.

To his family, congregation, and community, Bishop Pratt was more than a pastor—he was a mental health advocate, a mentor, a brother, a friend, and above all, a man of God. His voice may now be still, but his influence lives on in every life he touched. We celebrate the life of a remarkable man whose faith illuminated the path for so many.