Wayne B. Cobb, Sr.

Pastor Wayne Bradley Cobb, Sr. was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. A man of strength, love, compassion and wisdom, Pastor Cobb, who was affectionately called the “Man of God,” never met a stranger. He extended a heart of warmth and words of grace in innumerable encounters, often ending the exchange by saying “God Bless Your Spirit.”

The Man of God was born in Rochester, PA on October 27, 1953. He was reared by John A. Cobb and Katie Cobb in a home filled with love. He showed great educational promise from an early age as a standout student and brilliant thinker. He attended Jones Elementary School and Aliquippa High School. He was a man of modest beginnings and had multiple college opportunities. He made the Lord a promise that if God allowed him to afford college, he would serve God for the rest of his life. At the young age of seventeen, he dedicated his life to Christ and became a member of the Church in the Round, where Melvin E. Clark, Sr. was the Pastor. This defining commitment shaped the arc of his life and earthly mission.

He attended Northwestern University. It was there that he met his future wife, Gayle. It was also during college that the Man of God, accepted his call into the ministry. He returned to Aliquippa and joined the staff at the Church in the Round where he wholeheartedly served the people of God and his leadership, then Pastor Melvin E. Clark, doing Kingdom ministry. This ministry included leading a group of men who became known as the “ fellowship” and many evolved into a group he named “Levites.” He served as the Chairman of the Elders and Ministers Board and he was a revelatory Sunday School teacher. Out of Pastor Cobb’s spirit came the prayer that is so familiar and commonly used in our kingdom language that God would “renew, refresh, revive, and restore” the people of God.

In 1976, Pastor Cobb married the love of his life, Gayle J. Barnard Cobb and he served in full time ministry for over 47 years.  The Man of God heard the voice of the Lord and founded a church in Washington, PA. He was also the founder and the Pastor of The Lord of the Harvest Church in Freedom, PA and Beaver Falls, PA. He was a devoted student and teacher of the Word of God. He ministered to the rehabilitative community and prison outreach and sought to bring Christ to all, especially those who were least well served in society.

Pastor Cobb’s ministry was not only local but had international tentacles; he served as the Director of Communication for the National Church of God in Christ’s Urban Initiatives, the former Presiding Bishop, Bishop Charles E. Blake’s signature project.  The Man of God was also the Chairman of the Board of Ordination for the Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania where he created an ordination process that the National church later adopted.

The Man of God was married for over 46 years. During their marriage, Pastor Cobb and Mother Gayle exemplified two shining examples of God’s love and faithfulness, striving at every turn to do only those things that pleased the Lord.  Pastor Cobb and Mother Gayle believed that as arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of the youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. God blessed this union with eleven children. The Man of God and Mother Gayle taught their children that God came first in their life, family second, and finally, education. He would preach to his family that a strong educational background was a solid foundation and he led by example.

He was a graduate of Northwestern University, Harvard University and was a Yale Research Fellow. All eleven of his children have graduated from college and they have earned 24 degrees and counting. They include lawyers, doctors, PHD candidates, homemakers, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs, etc. He encouraged each child to realize their full potential both educationally and ministerially. No matter what achievements and awards the Man of God received and there are several, he would teach that only what you do for Christ will last.

Pastor Cobb was also a gifted writer, teacher and motivational speaker. He was an educator and ardent advocate for at-risk youth.  Through his work with Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, the Community College of Allegheny County, and the Consortium for the Development of Human Potential (“CDHP”), a nonprofit he founded; he developed numerous outreach, literacy and mentoring programs that assisted youth in capturing and harnessing their potential and educational possibilities. 

Pastor Cobb was preceded in death by his father John A. Cobb and mother, Katie Cobb. He is survived by his loving wife, Mother Gayle J. Barnard Cobb; eleven children: Quo Vadis Iva Cobb, Wayne Bradley Cobb II, Alexis Sára Cobb, Ingrid Margot Hall (Curtis), Genna-Gabrielle Lauren Cobb Peters (Corey), Ashton Christopher Michael Cobb (Taylor), Jataun Bethany Melvena Cobb, Zsa Zsa Bridgette Eugenia Cobb-Johnson (Kenneth), Benjamin Baxter Bishop Cobb, Blair-Alexandria Farrah Cobb Korff (James), and Donovan Christian Barnard Cobb; grandchildren, Sienna Jade Evans, Tahirah Kelise Korff, James Matthew Korff, Jacob Emmanuel Korff, Ashton Christopher Michael Cobb II, Kinley Alexis Cobb, Kai Noelle Cobb, Kennedy Grace Cobb, Kenneth Daniel Johnson II, Luca Bradley Benjamin Korff; sister, Patricia Cobb; siblings of the Dean family, extended family, faithful parishioners, and a host of Saints and friends.