Carlton Pearson, a name that once resonated with power and influence in the evangelical Christian world, is a story of transformation, faith, and controversy. He rose to fame as the charismatic pastor of one of the largest megachurches in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and as a close confidant of some of the most influential figures in American Christianity. However, Pearson’s theological evolution, which saw him turn away from traditional evangelical beliefs and embrace what he called the “Gospel of Inclusion,” would later lead to a fall from grace in the religious community.
Pearson’s life and career have been marked by both monumental success and profound challenges. This article delves into his early life, religious journey, personal life, net worth, and the dramatic transformation that changed the course of his ministry and public image.
Early Life and Spiritual Beginnings
Carlton D’metrius Pearson was born on March 19, 1953, in San Diego, California. Raised in a devout Pentecostal family, Pearson grew up steeped in the traditions of Christianity. His early life was shaped by the powerful influence of faith, and by the time he reached adulthood, it was clear that Pearson had a calling in ministry.
Pearson attended Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a prominent institution in Pentecostal and charismatic Christian circles. It was here that he met Oral Roberts, the university’s founder, and the man who would become a mentor to him. Pearson’s charisma and speaking abilities stood out during his time at ORU, and soon he became one of the university’s star students, eventually being ordained as a minister under the Pentecostal faith.
Pearson’s rise in the evangelical world was meteoric. He founded the Higher Dimensions Evangelistic Center in 1981, which later became known as the Higher Dimensions Family Church. Under his leadership, the church grew into a megachurch with over 5,000 members at its peak, making Pearson one of the most prominent pastors in Tulsa. His church was a hub for dynamic worship, healing services, and the kind of spirited preaching that electrified his congregation.
The Rise to Fame: A Megachurch Pastor and National Influence
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Pearson’s influence extended beyond his pulpit. He became a national figure in evangelical Christianity, known for his vibrant preaching style and his appearances on Christian television networks like TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network). Pearson was a sought-after speaker at revivals, conferences, and religious events across the country. His charisma and passionate sermons attracted a large following, and he was regarded as one of the most powerful voices in American Pentecostalism.
One of the hallmarks of Pearson’s ministry was his connection to the African American evangelical community. He became one of the most prominent black pastors in the U.S. and worked alongside other influential religious figures like Bishop T.D. Jakes. His annual Azusa Conference—named after the historic Azusa Street Revival that birthed the modern Pentecostal movement—drew thousands of attendees and featured notable gospel singers and preachers.
Pearson’s success brought with it financial rewards as well. By the early 2000s, Pearson had amassed significant wealth through his church, speaking engagements, and appearances on Christian media. His church, which operated on donations and tithes, was generating substantial income, and Pearson’s personal brand was booming. His estimated net worth during this period was in the millions.
The Controversial Shift: The “Gospel of Inclusion”
Despite his success, Carlton Pearson’s life and ministry took a dramatic turn in the early 2000s. In what would become a defining moment in his career, Pearson began to question some of the foundational beliefs of evangelical Christianity—particularly the concept of eternal damnation. Pearson’s change in theology came about after a period of intense personal reflection, during which he began to grapple with the idea that a loving God would condemn people to hell for not accepting Jesus Christ.
In 2002, Pearson publicly introduced what he called the “Gospel of Inclusion.” This new belief system rejected the traditional evangelical doctrine of hell and proposed that all people, regardless of their faith or lack thereof, were saved by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Pearson began preaching that salvation was not exclusive to Christians, but was instead universally available to all, including non-believers, atheists, and followers of other religions.
This theological shift shocked the evangelical community. Pearson’s radical departure from orthodoxy was met with immediate backlash from his peers and followers. Many of his congregants, deeply rooted in traditional Pentecostal beliefs, left the church, and Pearson was labeled a heretic by many within the evangelical world. He was officially declared a heretic by the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops, which was a significant blow to his reputation and ministry.
The Fall from Grace: Loss of Church and Influence
The fallout from Pearson’s embrace of the Gospel of Inclusion was swift and severe. His once-thriving megachurch dwindled in numbers, and the church was forced to downsize. Eventually, Higher Dimensions Family Church merged with another local church in Tulsa, leaving Pearson without the platform he had built over decades. Many of his former allies and friends in the evangelical world distanced themselves from him, and he was no longer invited to speak at major religious events or appear on Christian television.
Financially, the collapse of Pearson’s church had a devastating impact on his net worth. The income streams that had once supported his ministry and lifestyle dried up. By the mid-2000s, Pearson’s wealth had significantly diminished, and his life was marked by financial struggles.
Personal Life: Family and Relationships
Throughout his turbulent career, Pearson’s personal life has remained relatively private. He married Gina Marie Gauthier in 1993, and the couple has two children: a son, Julian D’Metrius Pearson, and a daughter, Majestè Amour Pearson. Despite the challenges that came with his controversial shift in theology, Pearson has remained committed to his family. In interviews, he has often spoken about how his wife and children have been a source of strength during his most difficult times.
Gina Pearson, a life coach and consultant, has been a steadfast partner to Carlton through his rise to fame and subsequent fall from grace. Together, they have navigated the challenges that came with losing the church and rebuilding their lives outside the confines of traditional evangelical circles.
Redemption and Resurgence: A New Platform
Despite losing much of his influence in the evangelical world, Pearson’s story took on new life in the late 2010s. His transformation from a celebrated evangelical preacher to a heretic became the subject of the 2018 Netflix film Come Sunday, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Pearson. The film, directed by Joshua Marston, dramatized Pearson’s theological crisis and the fallout that ensued. The movie brought Pearson’s story to a new audience, many of whom had never heard of his ministry before.
Pearson’s appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show and other media outlets also helped him reframe his narrative. He became a voice for a more inclusive, progressive form of Christianity, one that eschews the rigid doctrines of hell and eternal damnation for a message of universal love and acceptance.
Pearson’s re-emergence on the national stage did not return him to the heights of his previous wealth, but it did provide him with new opportunities for speaking engagements, book deals, and media appearances. While he no longer enjoys the financial success he once had as a megachurch pastor, Pearson’s estimated net worth today is thought to be around $500,000 to $1 million, a far cry from the millions he once had, but a testament to his resilience.
Current Endeavors and Legacy
Carlton Pearson continues to preach and speak, though his audience today is smaller and more diverse than it was during his evangelical heyday. He leads a ministry called New Dimensions Chicago and has become a prominent voice in the movement toward inclusive spirituality.
Pearson’s legacy is complex. To some, he remains a heretic who abandoned the core tenets of Christianity. To others, he is a visionary who bravely challenged outdated beliefs and opened the door to a more compassionate and inclusive faith. Regardless of where one stands on his theological views, Pearson’s journey from evangelical superstar to outcast, and his subsequent re-emergence as a voice for inclusion, is a powerful story of transformation.
Conclusion: A Man of Faith, Controversy, and Redemption
Carlton Pearson’s life has been a journey of extraordinary highs and painful lows. From his early success as a megachurch pastor to his fall from grace after embracing the Gospel of Inclusion, Pearson’s story is one of courage, controversy, and reinvention. His net worth, once in the millions, has been greatly diminished by the fallout from his theological shift, but his impact on religious thought continues to be felt.
As he continues to preach a message of universal love and acceptance, Pearson’s life remains a testament to the power of faith, even when that faith leads one down unexpected and difficult paths. His story is a reminder that true belief is often more complex and challenging than we might imagine, and that transformation, while painful, can ultimately lead to redemption.
