
Bishop Samuel Lee Doyle was born in the small township of Vado, New Mexico, the second of nine children. The young Samuel Doyle always had a strong work ethic about himself. Between 1958-1960, he had to help support his family by doing odd jobs after school. He worked as a gardener making fifty cents and hour and later was blessed to become a paper carrier for the Fresno Bee. Because he was considered the number one carrier, he won many prizes; weekend trips, to "Fish Camp," "Yosemite Park," "Disneyland," etc. Upon receiving the call of God into the preaching ministry, young Samuel Doyle moved his membership to the Immanuel Church of God In Christ. He preached his first sermon while attending church there under the late Bishop Warren S. Wilson. On the night of his High School graduation, something very interesting happened His mother, Johnnie Ayers, was in a "Shut-In " at Pilgrim Rest, and rather than attend graduation parties, he opted to go into the "Shut-in" and pray unto the Lord, because he wanted the Lord to bless his future.
In 1965, he joined the Army. While in the military, he rose to the maximum rank of Sergeant and received many awards and achievements. After being discharged in 1968, he met and married Nodia King. To that union was six children: Valarie, Curtis, Rodney, Teresa, Howard, and Kimberly. It was also in 1968, that he joined the Macedonia Church of God In Christ under the leadership of the late Elder Joe Woods. He graduated from Fresno City College with an A, A, Degree in 1972. He later attended Fresno State and other Bible Colleges for biblical training. He received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree from the Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible College in June 2003.
He has always loved the church. His first job at the local church was that of a gardener, and then he became the janitor. He has also functioned in the following leadership capacities: Deacon, Trustee, Asst. Secretary, Finance Secretary, Young People Willing Worker President, Sunday School Superintendent, Jr. Pastor, Asst. Pastor, and one week as Choir President. Bishop Doyle served as the Assistant Pastor to the late Robert McCloud for seven years and succeeded him as Pastor of Greater Macedonia Church of God in Christ in 1987. In 1991, with just a few members, he began building the massive church edifice. The building project was long, tiring and costly. After twelve years, the building was finished and Bishop Doyle led his congregation into the new sanctuary, which is now the beautiful California Valley Jurisdictional Headquarters. It is located at 1825 S. Delno Ave, Fresno, California. The Jurisdictional Headquarters church stands as a monument to the vision of this great leader.
At the District level, he fulfilled responsibilities as the Educational Director, Secretary, worked with the Sunday School and Young People Willing Worker Departments, District Fellowships and District call meetings under the leadership of Superintendent Stafford Brown.
He formed the New Covenant District in 1998, with three churches. As Superintendent of the New Covenant District, he provided outstanding leadership. The District grew to five churches, and from that group was birthed one new Superintendent, the Elder James Chatman.
At the Jurisdiction level, he served as Assistant Secretary, Financial Secretary, State Secretary, Executive Committee member, Trustee Board member, and State Commission. For many years, he worked very closely with the late Bishop Warren S. Wilson. It was not until 1992 that he was officially approved as State Secretary. In 2002, he was elevated to the office of Administrative Assistant to Bishop Wilson.
After the home going of the founding prelate in 2002, the pastors of the jurisdiction selected Bishop Samuel Doyle and he was later consecrated by the late Right Rev. Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ. Bishop Samuel Doyle retired as the jurisdiction prelate in February 2024 and was emeritized in April 2024 by the Church of God in Christ. Glory to God!
In 1965, he joined the Army. While in the military, he rose to the maximum rank of Sergeant and received many awards and achievements. After being discharged in 1968, he met and married Nodia King. To that union was six children: Valarie, Curtis, Rodney, Teresa, Howard, and Kimberly. It was also in 1968, that he joined the Macedonia Church of God In Christ under the leadership of the late Elder Joe Woods. He graduated from Fresno City College with an A, A, Degree in 1972. He later attended Fresno State and other Bible Colleges for biblical training. He received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree from the Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible College in June 2003.
He has always loved the church. His first job at the local church was that of a gardener, and then he became the janitor. He has also functioned in the following leadership capacities: Deacon, Trustee, Asst. Secretary, Finance Secretary, Young People Willing Worker President, Sunday School Superintendent, Jr. Pastor, Asst. Pastor, and one week as Choir President. Bishop Doyle served as the Assistant Pastor to the late Robert McCloud for seven years and succeeded him as Pastor of Greater Macedonia Church of God in Christ in 1987. In 1991, with just a few members, he began building the massive church edifice. The building project was long, tiring and costly. After twelve years, the building was finished and Bishop Doyle led his congregation into the new sanctuary, which is now the beautiful California Valley Jurisdictional Headquarters. It is located at 1825 S. Delno Ave, Fresno, California. The Jurisdictional Headquarters church stands as a monument to the vision of this great leader.
At the District level, he fulfilled responsibilities as the Educational Director, Secretary, worked with the Sunday School and Young People Willing Worker Departments, District Fellowships and District call meetings under the leadership of Superintendent Stafford Brown.
He formed the New Covenant District in 1998, with three churches. As Superintendent of the New Covenant District, he provided outstanding leadership. The District grew to five churches, and from that group was birthed one new Superintendent, the Elder James Chatman.
At the Jurisdiction level, he served as Assistant Secretary, Financial Secretary, State Secretary, Executive Committee member, Trustee Board member, and State Commission. For many years, he worked very closely with the late Bishop Warren S. Wilson. It was not until 1992 that he was officially approved as State Secretary. In 2002, he was elevated to the office of Administrative Assistant to Bishop Wilson.
After the home going of the founding prelate in 2002, the pastors of the jurisdiction selected Bishop Samuel Doyle and he was later consecrated by the late Right Rev. Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ. Bishop Samuel Doyle retired as the jurisdiction prelate in February 2024 and was emeritized in April 2024 by the Church of God in Christ. Glory to God!