Carlton D. Pearson Fan Page

Carlton D. Pearson (1953–2023) was a most influential and provocative American religious leader of his era. He progressed from being a star of the Pentecostal movement, a spiritual mentor to thousands, and an adviser to presidents, to being a man officially deemed a heretic. His is a histrionic tale of spiritual transformation, the price of faith, and unflinching faith in God’s universal love that resulted in the development of his own theology—the “Gospel of Inclusion.”

A Pentecostal Star: Early Career and Influence

In the 1980s and 1990s, Carlton Pearson was on top of his game. Under the tutelage of the renowned Oral Roberts, he founded the Higher Dimensions Evangelistic Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which grew very quickly to over 5,000 followers. He was a dynamic evangelist, a superb singer, and the founder of the annual “Azusa” conferences, which drew tens of thousands of participants from various denominations. His programs were broadcast on national television, and his voice was heard in evangelical ranks without hesitation.

The Turning Point: The Emergence of the "Gospel of Inclusion"

In the late 1990s, shaken by news of the Rwandan genocide, Pearson began to rethink the classical doctrine of hell. He could not believe that a loving God would condemn millions to an eternity of hell who had never heard of Christ. This led him to a more profound theological reconsideration, which ended in the “Gospel of Inclusion.” Its core thesis is universal salvation through Christ for all of mankind and that hell is not eternal suffering but a condition which man builds on Earth.

Carlton D. Pearson: The Price of Conviction Loss and a New Path

Announcing this new faith cost Pearson his professional livelihood. The Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops officially labeled him a heretic. He lost the vast majority of his congregation, his goliath church building, and the esteem of the majority of former colleagues and acquaintances. Despite the enormous pressure and personal sacrifice, Pearson did not leave his new faith. He proceeded to minister a small congregation that embraced his universalistic understanding of religion and broke voices on behalf of individuals who felt disenfranchised from mainstream church.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Carlton Pearson’s story extended into religious communities to be a metaphor for courage and allegiance to that which one holds as true. His life was the subject of the Netflix film “Come Sunday,” in which he was portrayed by Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor. Pearson passes away leaving behind a legacy as a philosopher who was not afraid to pose difficult questions about God, love, and salvation. He inspired thousands of individuals all over the world to seek a more universal and loving spirituality, and his life still inspires valuable conversations on faith and dogma.