About Us | Temple of Glory Community Church

Senior Pastor, Bishop Matthew Odum, Sr.

The Right Reverend Doctor Matthew Marvin Odum, a luminary in the Kingdom of God, has graced the pulpit of The Temple of Glory Community Church in Savannah, Georgia, as its Chief Servant for more than thirty-nine years. His spiritual odyssey began at the tender age of twenty-seven when he was appointed to shepherd both Garvin Temple Baptist Church (now the Temple of Glory Community Church) and Macedonia Baptist Church of Ellabell, Georgia, in December 1984. With unwavering commitment, he nurtured both congregations until he resigned from Macedonia after nine years of dedicated service, due to the growth of the church in Savannah.

January 1985 marked a historic moment as Pastor Odum was officially installed at Garvin Temple. Under his leadership, the congregation, initially a modest assembly of about 70 members, flourished into a thriving community of over 2,500 souls. His visionary guidance led to the acquisition of a 6-acre campus, adorned with four architectural marvels: a 1,000-seat sanctuary, the robust Family Life Center, an elegant Administrative Building, and the Annette A. Saulter Fellowship Hall. His legacy further includes the founding of The Odum Learning Academy, a beacon of knowledge and care in the community.

Born to the late Willie and Mary Odum in Savannah, Bishop Odum received his education in the Chatham County public schools. He pursued higher learning at Savannah State College (now University), majoring in English Literature, and subsequently enhanced his scholarly pursuits with a Master’s and Doctorate from Covington Theological Seminary.

43586966_1080911802083595_6050564912298590208_o-removebg-preview (1)

As a stalwart servant of his generation, Bishop Odum has graced the boards of numerous organizations within the Coastal Empire. His influential roles span from the American Red Cross to Clergymen in Action, including esteemed positions with the Metropolitan Planning Commission and the St. Joseph’s Candler Health Advisory Board. He has twice graced the Georgia State House of Representatives with his profound dissertations and prayers.

In 2005, in Chicago, IL, Dr. Odum was consecrated as a Bishop in the Lord’s Holy Church by the late Bishop Jessie Delano Ellis and Bishop Larry Trotter. His dedication to episcopal leadership and pastoral care led to his appointment as chairman of the Coalition of Bishops for Global United Fellowship under Bishop Neil C Ellis, and later as a Vice Presiding Bishop for GUF. Bishop Odum’s global ministry has seen him evangelize from the Bahamas to South Africa, imparting the Gospel with zeal and compassion.

An erudite author, Dr. Odum unveiled his first literary work in 2012, “Mending Nets: The Often Misunderstood and Undervalued Ministry of Reconciliation and Restoration.” This masterful treatise underscores the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration within the Christian faith.

Together, with his first wife, Sheila Kay Jenks, Bishop Odum was blessed with three remarkable children: Tiffanie, Brittanie, and Matthew II, and two grandchildren, Christian Shemar and Madison Julianna. After over thirty-eight years of harmonious matrimony, a union blessed with deep love, shared dreams, and unwavering commitment, Sheila was summoned to celestial glory. Their journey together was a beautiful testament to faith, love, and devotion, embodying the sacred vow of ’till death do us part.’ Sheila, a beacon of strength and grace, stood steadfastly alongside Bishop Odum, supporting his spiritual mission while nurturing their family with tender care. Her departure to the heavenly realm was not just a moment of profound loss but also a transition that underscored the eternal nature of love and the comforting promise of reuniting in God’s glorious kingdom. Her legacy continues to resonate within their family and the wider church community, a lasting tribute to a life so beautifully lived and a love so deeply cherished.

But God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, was not yet finished writing the story of Bishop Odum’s life. In a beautiful unfolding of divine providence, Bishop Odum was later blessed to rediscover love with his high school sweetheart, Donna Lovett. Together, they walk a path illuminated by faith, embracing each new day with gratitude and a deep-seated understanding of God’s grace. Bishop Odum’s journey remains a living testament to the power of faith, the endurance of hope, and the boundless nature of God’s love. His journey, marked by divine guidance, abundant blessings, and the rediscovery of heartfelt love, continues to inspire and uplift, echoing the eternal truth that with God, all things are possible.