By Dr. Eliz Dowdy, guest writer
It is with sadness that we report the transition of Bishop Eldoris Bonner, the founding pastor of Faith Ministries in Apple Valley. She moved the church she had founded in Hollywood, Pentecostal Christian Church of Hollywood, to the high desert after the unrest in Los Angeles in 1992.
Bishop Bonner was born in Canton, Ohio, May 30 1936, to Eugene and Susannah Bonner with her identical twin sister Deloris (pre-deceased). She attended local schools in Canton, and graduated from McKinley High School. She enrolled in Kent University, where she studied health and physical education.
In 1956 she came to California, and enrolled at Los Angeles City College, she returned to Canton two years later. The Canton Police Department was hiring, and Eldoris was in the right place at the right time, she applied and was hired, one of two females to join the force, and the first female of African American descent to become a member of the Canton Police Department. She remained on the force for six years, but believed that promotions would be easier in the golden state, so it was back to southern California she moved. Completing her education at Redlands University, a second career change took effect as she was hired to teach in the Head Start program, she remained with the Los Angeles Unified School District for sixteen years, then another career change beckoned to her. This time she answered the call to the ministry, and became founding pastor of Pentecostal Christian Church of Hollywood. She also worked with and performed with the Gospel Music Association as director, songstress and keyboardist.
When she moved to the High Desert, she became involved in community activities, she served as Chaplain for the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, Apple Valley station, joined the startup organization of Wuz Fuz; and served on the executive board of the Victor Valley Black Chamber of Commerce.
During this period of time, she was growing the church in a strange land, and had become caretaker for her twin sister. She awakened one morning and discovered she was blind in one eye, it was determined she had suffered a mini stroke during sleep. Determined to keep the church alive, she started the search for a partner to take over the day to day operation of the church. Her prayer was answered when Dr. Rebecca Washington Berry came to town, and they were able to merge and form Elbon Solutions School of Ministry.
Working together the team expanded Faith Ministries to become: Faith Ministries International Network of Churches. Bishop Bonner served as First Administrative Assistant of the Network.
For the last two years, she battled health issues, but “Kept the faith”; her name was called Saturday morning, September 21, at approximately 0950 hrs. She heard The Voice, and left all the cares, concerns, and pains behind as she wafted homeward.
Homegoing services for Bishop Eldoris Bonner were held, Tuesday, October 1, at Assembly of God church in Victorville.
She has one daughter, four grandchildren, and has witnessed the start of the fourth generation.
Additionally the Faith Ministries International Network of Churches family, and many other religious and community organizations she has enhanced during her lifetime are experiencing the vacancy her transition has left in our hearts.
