Carlton D’Metrius Pearson was the ordained minister who defied convention. At just 15 years old, he started his own church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Higher Dimension Family Church quickly became one of Tulsa’s largest, boasting a membership of 6,000. Carlton’s journey led him to Oral Roberts University, where he was mentored by Mr. Roberts himself and emerged as an influential evangelist. He gained recognition through a national television preaching show, reaching millions every week on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. He even ran for Mayor of Tulsa in 2002.
But everything changed when Carlton had a revelation while watching a television program about the genocide in Rwanda. In a dramatic shift, he no longer believed in the concept of “hell” and preached a sermon on “The Gospel of Inclusion.” This radical notion caused a rift within the Pentecostal community, with Carlton labeled a “heretic.” He lost his church, wealth, and prestige and faced rejection from those who once embraced him.
For a while, he was a minister without a church. He traveled the country as a guest speaker. He found solace as the interim pastor at Christ Universal Temple in Chicago, a perfect fit for his new beliefs. However, skepticism and controversy still followed him, particularly due to his non-traditional approach and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. He believed God embraced all of humankind. He was accepting. He did not believe in the religiosity of separation. His message was even too avant-garde for the new thinkers. Carlton questioned the very ontology of belief systems.
Carlton stood firm in his convictions, embracing a theology built on “unconditional love.” He challenged tradition and shifted his focus from religious rituals to compassionate living. His two-year tenure (2009 to 2011) at Christ Universal Temple rocked the church to its core, forever altering its course. The church split and dwindled. His life story became a biopic in “Come Sunday,” which appeared in 2019 at the Sundance Film Festival and on Netflix in April 2018.
Despite facing immense criticism, Carlton continued to spread his message of inclusion to audiences worldwide. His charisma and eloquence made him a media darling, featured on shows like Dateline, Nightline, and Chicago Public Radio. Some adored him, while others despised him for his controversial views. He formed friendships with influential figures like Deepak Chopra and Neale Donald Walsch, further expanding his impact. Carlton penned books such as “The Gospel of Inclusion” and “God Is Not a Christian, Nor a Jew, Muslim, Hindu...” further cementing his legacy.
Sadly, Carlton passed away on November 19, surrounded by his loving family. He died at 70 from cancer. He leaves behind his wife, Gina, and their two children, Julian and Majesty. His lasting legacy is the “Azusa Conference,” an event he initiated in 1988 that brought together, on average, 70,000 thousands of people from the religious community and injected millions into the Tulsa economy.
Details regarding his funeral services are forthcoming, but will take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am honored to have called Carlton my friend. He was beloved and lived his life fearlessly. He got a chance to say farewell to his many followers and friends. I spent three days with him, and we discussed “pivoting.” I love him dearly. He was advanced, and I predict he will be studied for years to come. His book, The Gospel of Inclusion, is a masterpiece. He was a change agent as he questioned the belief systems. He was lovely and misunderstood.
