Bishop Gary Lee Burt Sr.

During a terrible storm and threatening tornado on March 27, 1948, George and Telitha Burt were forced to shelter in place in their home in Indianapolis, IN as they gave birth to their fourth child, Gary Lee Burt Sr. These conditions were a sure indication that Bishop Burt had a purpose and calling that the enemy could not stop. Bishop Burt spoke fondly of his childhood, growing up on Blake Street near downtown Indianapolis surrounded by family and loved ones. During that time, his family lived in a multiplex shared by his maternal grandmother and uncles. The neighborhood was a true community with churches, barber shops, schools, stores and businesses that catered to the African-American residents. As the family grew, they relocated to the Haughville neighborhood on the west side of Indianapolis, where Bishop Burt attended Mary E. Cable School #4 and Woodrow Wilson School #75. At school he met many friends, several of whom he maintained friendships throughout his life. Bishop Burt graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in 1967. During his high school years, he sang in the glee club and choir. These groups participated in and won state championships at Clowes Hall four years in a row. The Burt family were blessed with the ability to sing and harmonize and as a result, Bishop Burt was a member of several singing groups after high school including The Embers and One Accord. Bishop Burt also penned and self-recorded several original songs, even receiving a full music scholarship to attend college. At the young age of 18, Bishop Burt married JoAnn Payne in April of 1966. From this union they welcomed their daughter, Shunna Antoinette. Although this marriage dissolved, he always considered his daughter a wonderful blessing. One God-ordained evening, Bishop Burt was asked by his mother to attend, and tape record a special service for her at Christ Temple. It was during this service that Bishop Burt heard the sermon that seemed to be speaking directly to him. As a result, he was baptized in Jesus' name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost in March 1971 at Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Assembly under the pastorate of Bishop James E. Tyson. During his membership, Bishop Burt became involved in several auxiliaries such as the choir, bus, prison and boy’s school ministries. It was also during this time that Bishop Burt accepted the call from God to minister to others and preach His word. He was ordained in the ministry from Aenon Bible College in 1988. Bishop Burt could often be found visiting the sick and shut-in, working with souls, praying for those in need and serving in various capacities around the church. As an active participant in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (P.A.W.) and while attending services, district meetings and conventions, Bishop Burt met Sister Sallie Bell of New Bethel Tabernacle in Kokomo, IN. They were united in holy matrimony on October 25, 1975, and shared over 44 years of marriage. Together they welcomed four children, Mika Sheree, Melita LeAnn, Lydia Monique and Gary Jr. Before Bishop Burt devoted his life to full-time ministry, he worked hard to support and provide for his family. During this time, he worked as a lab tech at Wishard Hospital, as a dorm monitor at the Indiana School for the Blind, truck driver for Crystal Flash and janitor for Wesley United Methodist Church as well as various other jobs. At times he even worked three jobs at once! Bishop Burt would often recount accepting public assistance such as Project Heat, Project Safe, WIC and food stamps just to make ends meet. Despite humble beginnings, he never allowed his lack of finances to define him. As God blessed him with more, he was known to be a blessing to others and often gave generously of his time and resources. He would often open his home to others as he saw his parents do as a young child. Bishop Burt heeded God’s call to pastor in February 1987 and began holding services in the basement of his home on Riverside Drive. The name of this new church was Agape Apostolic Faith Assembly which reminds those who hear it of God’s divine love. God began to send souls to Agape from all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and even from across the country and world. Through the leadership of Bishop Burt, Agape supported people and churches around the world, both spiritually and naturally. Many in foreign lands were baptized, filled with the Holy Ghost, fed, educated, clothed and housed through the work and generosity of Bishop Burt and the members of Agape. Bishop Burt traveled internationally on several occasions to witness firsthand what God allowed Agape to accomplish through their prayers and heart-felt giving. Under the rich ministry of strictly teaching God’s word, Agape continued to grow beyond the capacity of each former building. In 1997, when a larger facility was needed to accommodate church growth, the land located at 6240 Georgetown Road was purchased. God blessed that this land was paid in full at the closing. The current building was erected in 1998 and the mortgage paid in full in 2001 by God’s mighty provision; less than three years after the inception of the loan. On April 23, 2023, Bishop Burt retired from pastoring and named Elder Jason Chambers as his successor. Bishop Burt led Agape Apostolic Faith Assembly well for over three decades. Agape Apostolic is a church that has loved many to life – young, old, sinners, discouraged, those without knowledge of our faith, looking for Godly love and people from many other walks of life. On the morning of October 30, 2023, Bishop Burt was called to his heavenly home and departed this life at the age of 75. He was preceded in death by his wife; Sallie Burt, father; George Burt, mother; Telitha Burt, sisters; Sheila Burt and Gail Williams and brother; Clinton Burt. He is survived by his children; Shunna Membres, Mika (Pastor Jason) Chambers, Melita (Rodney) Davis, Lydia "Monique" (Timothy, Sr.) Ragland and Gary Jr., 10 grandchildren; Aaron (Iralis) Membres, Armon (Brianna) Membres, Asia Membres, Timothy Ragland Jr., Haven Ragland, Kennedy Davis, Isaiah Davis, Titus Ragland, Samuel Chambers and Nathan Chambers, 5 great-grandchildren; Easton Membres-Holliday, Rome Membres, Xander Membres, Aaron Z. Membres and Amillia Membres, brother; Wayne Burt, sisters; Vivian Burt and Pastor A. Janice Dalton and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.