Bishop Jerome H. Ross, Sr.
Bishop Jerome H. Ross, Sr., a native of Mansfield, Ohio acknowledged his call to the ministry at the age of 15 in 1954. He possesses a Bachelor Degree in Theology from the Tennessee School of Religion in Memphis and an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Divinity from Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. April 1995, he was consecrated to the office of Bishop by the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship and served for ten years as the Bishop of the Pastors Division, comprised of over 1000 pastors internationally. March 1998, he was induced into the Martin Luther King, Board of Preachers (Preachers Hall of Fame) at Morehouse College – Atlanta. Throughout the years, he has served on many boards, held offices in many organizations and is the founding member of the Brothers of the Common Life. He has been honored to meet three U.S. Presidents: President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton, and President Barack Obama.
In October 2012, a two day meeting was held at Triedstone at the request of fourteen pastors from Ohio, Georgia, and Pennsylvania who desired for Bishop Ross to formally become their father and establish a fellowship of pastors and churches. As a result, Kingdom Connection Fellowship International was formed and Bishop Ross became the Presiding Prelate during an enthronement service June 18, 2013. As of 2017, there are over 100 members in 12 states, the Bahamas and Nigeria.
Civically, Bishop Ross has established and maintained a powerful presence in the community and has been used as a resourceful sounding board by several elected officials throughout the city and state. During the tenure of Mayor Michael Coleman, Bishop Ross served on faith-based or faith related committees. In 1984, then Pastor Ross was the first pastor to bring a national African American congressman (Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, California) to Columbus to speak to the religious and secular communities. In 2010, Bishop Ross was inducted into the class of Columbus Legends by the Center for Urban Programs.
Bishop Ross served as Senior Pastor of Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church from April 26, 1966 until December 31, 2016. During his 50 year tenure, he led Triedstone through several expansion programs resulting in the formation of the Triedstone Campus which includes the main church building with sanctuary, the Triedstone Annex and rental location for a church, and the J.H. Ross Family Life and Community Center. He was one of the first pastors in Columbus to reach out to African American students at OSU by providing bus transportation from campus to Sunday morning worship and other sponsored activities. Until the annex was rented by another local assembly, Bishop Ross established a food pantry and clothing closet, Blessing Hands Food Pantry which served the community on a weekly basis for several years. Blessing Hands Food Pantry now located in the main church building is opened the third and fourth Thursday of every month and serves average 16-20 families each Thursday.
In their local Milo-Grogan area, the J.H. Ross Family Life and Community Center offers free tutorial program to any child attending Columbus City School and the Triedstone Summer Academy offering education and recreational activities for a six to eight week program. Also during the “Fit for Life Health Fair” and “We Are Family Festival”, free school supplies are provided every August to community children, along with mammogram and other free health screenings.
In 2006, he introduced the “Fresh Power Conference” renamed “Fresh Power Convocation” in 2014 which continued to bring local and national acclaimed preachers and teachers to Columbus in June during the week after Father’s Day.
Bishop Ross is married to the former Patricia A. Johnson, is the father of one son, Jerome Jr. (Melissa) and one daughter Krystal. He is the proud grandfather of Tiara Nicole, Jasmine Hannah, Jalah Haley, and Justice Jerome. Bishop Ross’ retirement from pastoring is not a retirement from preaching, teaching, and lecturing. He continues to be sought after by churches and organizations who desire to benefit from his wisdom and experience.
Lady Patricia A. Ross
Lady Patricia Ann Ross is a dedicated, loved, committed, woman of God whose sacrifice and devotion to God, her family, as well as the Body of Christ is evident in her everyday life.
Lady Ross is the First Lady Emeritus of Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church, which she served as First Lady for 50 years until her husband’s retirement December 31, 2016. She is an anointed woman of God, who lets God use her to minister to men, women, boys and girls encouraging them to seek the higher calling in their lives. October 19, 2003, she was licensed as a Minister to preach the Gospel, by her under Shepard and covering, Bishop Jerome H. Ross, Sr.
Lady Ross is a remarkable and inspiring woman with a multitude of gifts and talents. In 2012, she assumed the awesome responsibility of supporting and assisting her husband, Bishop Ross, Presiding Prelate of Kingdom Connection Fellowship as together they Advance the Kingdom sharing of their wisdom and leadership.
She is a well-known anointed singer who has been extremely active within her music ministry including serving with the Voices of Triedstone for over 50 years. Lady Ross is the former Assistant Chapter Representative with Gospel Music Workshop of American (GMWA). She has been featured soloist on three Triedstone Baptist Church albums: Sunday Morning at the Stone, Just to Behold his Face, and Triedtone Live. Other recordings include Mildred Clark and Melody Aires, Rev. Jeffrey Kee and Von Thomas’ Love Concert. She has had the pleasure of singing with many well-known artists such as Sara Jordan Powell and The Winans. Lady Ross has also had the distinction of singing for two Presidents; President Jimmy Carter and Pastor Barack Obama, where she had the honor of singing the National Anthem during the 2012 President Election Campaign Rally at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, November 5, 2012.
Lady Ross has a heart for women and they are at the heart of her ministry. She gives God praise for all his benefits and the opportunity to speak His word. She is a praiser and workshops God in spirit and in truth. Lady Ross serves as a spiritual mother and mentor too many women and pastors wives. Additionally, she is a certified HIV/AIDS Counselor.
Lady Ross retired from the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services with over 32 years of service. Prior to her retirement, she served as Director for the North Opportunity Center.
She is committed to love and serving in ministry with her husband for over 52 years, Bishop Jerome H. Ross and is the proud mother of two, Jerome Jr. (Melissa) and Krystal and is the very proud grandmother of four – Tiara Nichole, Jasmine Hannah, Jalah Haley, and Justice Jerome. Lady Patricia Ann Ross is sought after nationally but her commitment to Kingdom Connection Fellowship, International is foremost in her heart.
