Beloved Presiding Elder Leander Coates of the Pacific Northwest Conference in the fifth district passed on to be with God on thursday morning. I do not have any other details about funeral arrangements but would suggest you call the fifth district office for details. Please keep his family in prayer.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Answers

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! ---in all things. Thanks, Reverend Rogers, for the timely alert.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

I loved you Presiding Elder Coates. Thank you for blessing my life in such a special way! I'll miss you but I'll see you on the other shore. My prayers to all the family members he has left behind.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND TO THE COATES FAMILY OUR PRAYERS AND CONCERNS . GOD IS OUR FORTRESS. SINCERNLY, REV. GLENN A. SPAULDING ASSOCIATE MINISTER ST. JOHN A.M.E. CHURCH FRANKFORT,KY.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2001

There is a deep sadness in the Pacific Northwest Conference for our Beloved Presiding Elder is with Jesus now. Elder Coates arrived in September. I did not have the honor of meeting him, but only spoke to him on the phone. He had such joy for the lord and was passionate about church growth. For those of you who knew him personally could share some of your rememberances with me. I am so grateful to God that Presiding Elder Coates beautiful spirit shone on the Pacific Northwest conference.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2001

My prayers are with you, Rev. Gwen. May God spread over you His shelter of peace.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

To the Coasts Family: May the Lord comfort you and keep you doing this difficult time in your life. Remember what David said in Psalms 23, verse 4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." David is saying in this 23 Psalm that God will be with us through out all of our difficulties. I encourage the Coasts' family to lean on God doing this time. He will be with you when no body else will be around.

May the Lord to be with you doing this difficult time. Remember Pastor Coats Homegoing is a celebration. The Lord has taken him from this life, to an everlasting life with Him. I will be praying for you.

Yours in Christ Rev. Timothy C. Williams

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

I join with those from within our Zion around the Connection in extending words of sympathy on behalf of the Heard Chapel AME Church family and my own family. I had the good pleasure of sharing in fellowship with PE Coates earlier this year when I preached for the District Conference of PE Finney in Kansas. Dr. Coates and his with pastored on PE Finney's district. As we rejoice in his victory, we remember his widow and family in our prayers.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

Rev. Gwen remains in our thoughts and prayers

My most powerful memories of Presiding Elder Coates are 1)of his warm and gracious greetings whenever we would cross paths (usally a POWEFUL handshake and a hug and 2) the Sermon he preached at the Seven Last Words Service at FAME-LA a some six years ago. We both were on the program that day. His assigment was the words of Christ to his beloved disciple John regarding the care of His Mother. Presiding Elder Coates shared a brief but powerful message that essentially said "be careful to whom you trust your stuff...not everybody has your best interests at heart and even if they do, not everyone can handle it" With all the Sermons I have heard since that Good Friday,that one remains etched in my mind and Spirit...a powerful word from a powerful Man of God. He shall be greatly missed

blessings, Rev. Michael L. Barta Johnson Chapel AME Church Santa Ana, CA

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

Rev. Leander will be missed greatly. He was a true friend. Rev. Gwen, I will contact you in a more personal way in the very near future. Linda, Joel and I love you!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

We join the Coates Family as you morn the loss of a valiant soldier of the Cross. May your faith sustain you in these and the coming days. We are praying for you.

Daniel and Mary Jacobs and the Turner Seminary Family

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001

May the love of the Father comfort your heart in time of lost and may his peace be with you and your family

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2001

May the Lord bless and keep you during this time of mourning. The prayers of my family are with you.

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2001

I am writing from the 17th Episcopal District in Zambia Southern Africa to join alot many in sharing the burden on the loss of Presiding Elder Leander Coates of the Pacific Northwest Conference. He diligently laboured in God's vineyard to the glory of God and so he joins the blessed saints who are resting in glory awaiting the oming of the Lord to judge the quick and the dead.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001

I am writing from the 16th district in Jamaica.I am sad to hear the pasting of such a mighty man of God, Presiding Elder Leander Coates.I know that God has a reason for every thing he does.May He continue to strengthen the family until this storm passes over. AME CHURCH JAMAICA.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

I grew up with Rev. Coates as my minster in Utah at Embey AME, I will miss him a great deal from the time he first arrvied to when he presided over my sisters wedding to the time he left. He touch my famliy in so many ways we were truly blessed to have know him. I will keep his famliy in my prayers.

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001