The Rt. Rev. Orpah R. Francis

The Right Reverend Orpah Ruth Francis is the presiding District Apostle of the Fifth District East. Her jurisdiction includes the states of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.
 

Apostle Francis is the second eldest of twelve children and was born to Mr. Hardy Pelt, Sr., and Mrs. Ruby Lee Pelt in Gordon, Alabama. The family moved to Fort Pierce, Florida, where she graduated from Lincoln Park Academy. In 1964, Rev. Francis moved to Jamaica, New York.

Apostle Francis graduated from Monroe Community College, Rochester, New York, with distinctions in Human Services. She received a diploma from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Black Church Studies. She studied at Nazareth College.

She continued her affiliation with Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ in Brooklyn, New York. As a lay member, she held positions as Tithe Secretary, Advanced School of Wisdom Teacher (teenagers), Youth Department Supervisor, Teacher, and Missionary. In 1967, she traveled to and from Rochester, New York, doing missionary work. No local Triumph Church was established in Rochester
then, and Rev. Francis promised she would return to establish the church. In 1968, she permanently relocated to Rochester, New York, and made good on her promise. Worship services were held in a storefront on Rochester's west side until 1977 when Apostle Francis and the congregation purchased a church facility on Rochester's north side. To the credit of Apostle Francis and her members, the
mortgage-burning ceremony took place just nine years later.

Apostle Francis has always been dedicated and faithful to God and Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ. She has held positions within the organization from Shepherd to General Board of Trustees Chairman. In July 2012, She was ordained as the first female Apostle in Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ and appointed to the Fifth District East, which includes New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.

She is a lifetime member of the National Coalition of Title I/Chapter 1 Parents and the Black Educators Association of Rochester. She retired from the Rochester City School District after 32 years of service in administration and supervision.
 

Apostle Francis is the mother of two children, Charlie and Sequetta, the grandmother of three, Charles Jerone, Chaz Jerrell, and Chase Jeremiah, and great-grandmother of two, Caylah Renee', and Chandler Jaxon. Apostle Francis is very much loved and respected by those who encounter her.