Our Jurisdictional Prelate

Bishop Talbert W. Swan, II is a fourth generation member of the Church Of God In Christ and follows in the steps of several generations of men and women in the Swan family serving in the ministry. A native of Springfield, MA, Bishop Swan is the son of the Fred Allen Swan, Sr. and Delois Fason Swan. Bishop Swan first acknowledged and accepted his calling into the Gospel ministry at the age of fifteen and was subsequently ordained in 1991 by Bishop L.C. Young, prelate of the Massachusetts First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

Bishop Swan attended the University of Massachusetts and subsequently graduated from Western New England College where he majored in computer science. He later attended Charter Oak State College where he received an Associate of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies. His dedication to the art of preaching and his desire to prepare for pastoral ministry led him to Hartford Seminary where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Arts in Theology and to Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Divinity in Urban Ministry. He also holds graduate certificates from Hartford Seminary in Black Ministries and Harvard Divinity School in Faith Based Economic and Community Development. He is currently completing a D.Min. at Piedmont International University.

Bishop Swan served as youth minister at the Spring of Hope Church Of God In Christ before founding the Solid Rock Church Of God In Christ in 1994. With God’s divine guidance and Pastor Swan’s committed leadership Solid Rock flourished, serving the community through several ministries, including a food pantry, youth ministries and television and radio broadcasts. In January 2009, the Solid Rock and Spring of Hope Churches merged and Rev. Swan was installed as pastor on May 31, 2009. Under his current leadership, Spring of Hope is experiencing a period of numeric and spiritual growth. The church serves the community through vibrant worship services, prayer hours, youth, adult and senior services along with several other active ministries. Bishop Swan has a shepherd’s heart and is committed to serving God’s people. He is passionate about preaching the Gospel and proclaims God’s word with power and conviction during worship services, teaching sessions and through the television, radio and internet. His relevant message is in high demand and he is sought after to preach across the nation.Bishop Swan is a consummate community activist and is respected for his work in the area of human rights across the region.

 
He has served on many community boards and has received numerous awards for his work. His work has been highlighted in publications such as; the New York Times, Boston Globe, Washington Post, Emerge Magazine, Gospel Today and Sojourner’s Magazine to name a few. He has also been featured on Fox News, Black Entertainment Television and New England Cable News along with local and regional news outlets. Bishop Swan is a two-term member of the Alumni Council at Hartford Seminary, a member of the Black Alumni Council of the Harvard Divinity School and the current National Chaplain of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., the fifth largest African American fraternity in the country. He formerly served the Massachusetts Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Church Of God In Christ as Executive Secretary and District Superintendent and currently serves the International Church Of God In Christ as Assistant General Secretary, Advisor on Social Justice/Public Policy, Associate Liaison to the White House, and Clerk of the General Board. He is the president of the Greater Springfield NAACP, Chairman of the Board of Dunbar Family & Community Center, member of the Advisory Council on Racial Justice and Equity for the Massachusetts Attorney General, member of the Springfield, MA Police/Community Relations Committee and sits on various other boards and committees.
 
Bishop Swan’s appointment as bishop by COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles Edward Blake, Sr. was unanimously approved by the General Board and the General Assembly in April 2014. He was consecrated to the sacred office of bishop on November 9, 2014 during the 107th International Hoy Convocation by Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. in St. Louis, MO. Further recognizing Bishop Swan’s leadership, Presiding Bishop Charles Blake and the General Board appointed him as the Jurisdictional Prelate of the Nova Scotia Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction on June 2, 2016. Bishop Swan is a gifted writer and the author of several books and enjoys basketball, golf, music and reading. He is married to Evangelist Cynthia Davis Swan, who proudly stands by her husband’s side and supports his ministry and social justice work. As life partners, they recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. They are proud parents and grandparents.