Pastor Garnett Simpson-Grier

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬ ‭

Obituary

Pastor Garnett Grier was born Garnett Simpson, on March 26, 1954, in Pasadena, CA, to the union of George and Margurite Simpson. She was the 16th of 17 children. She attended school in Pasadena, CA until her family relocated to Los Ange-les, where she attended and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. Pastor Grier's training and development for service in ministry and to the community started long before her adult life. At the age of 14 she worked at the Malcom X Community Center as a tutor, training inner city youth and assisting in Community Oriented Programs. She also served as the leader of the Community Girl's Club during her High School years.
Upon graduation from High School, she immediately went into a civil service career, working for the U.S. Army, The Veterans Administration and the Social Security Administration. Pastor Grier gave her life to the Lord and has been a born again, spirit-filled believer since 1970. Prior to receiving her call to the ministry in 1976, Pastor Grier was actively involved in all aspects of church service at Miracle City Apostolic Church and First Apostolic Church, which served as preparation for her own ministry. She left government services in 1980 to pursue full time ministry. She had a bachelor's degree in theology and a master's degree in divinity. Her formal education included studies at West Los Angeles College, Western Regional Bible College, Vision Christian University and Fuller Theological Seminary. In 1982, Pastor Grier founded Charis Pneuma Ministries. During her evangelistic ministry she started "Blessings for Brunch", a conference dedicated to the personal and spiritual growth of individuals through teachings of the gospel. In 1989 God expanded the vision with the birth of Breath of God Ministries International, where she implemented the Triple "E" Plan: To Educate, Emulate and Evangelize, she later added Excellence, based on Ephesians 4:11-13, as well as other programs designed for spiritual growth and community involvement. Her pastoral ministry began in 1989 when she founded Breath of God Christian Fellowship Church in Los Angeles. Pastor Grier became a sought-after conference and seminar speaker and taught nationally and internationally. She was a Pastor, Prophetess with an Apostolic anointing, a professional counselor and mentor to many. She was an author, songwriter, businesswoman and a true Servant Leader. She was selected to be included in several Who's Who publications including Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, Who's Who in the World (Millennium Edition) and she received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award from The Marquis Who's Who Publication Board. On November 21, 1993, Pastor Grier married Bishop J. Cris Grier and moved to Downey, CA in 1994. Soon after, the church moved to Downey, CA. They labored in ministry together until his passing in 2004. Bishop lived much longer than doctors predicted and doctors admitted he was not alive because of anything they were doing. He was alive because of what Pastor Grier was doing! She believed the Word, that "love is stronger than death" and used love to keep both her and Bishop alive longer than others expected. Pastor was also the Founder and Executive Director of A.C.T.S. (Aggressive Community Training and Services) Foundation, a community outreach organization, hosting food basket giveaways, Thanksgiving Outreach dinners, toy giveaways, clothing giveaways, and community outreach seminars. She was the owner of "Simnett Publishing" and "Believers Professional Services", which provided administrative assistance to small businesses and churches. Pastor Grier also performed workshops and seminars in personality training for managers for such companies like Vons Market and others through teamwork consortium. She started a Prayer Outreach in 2006 called INOW which stands for International Network of (Prayer) Warriors. INOW's mission was to train prayer warriors and host Prayer Watches and Conferences. Pastor Grier authored 8 books, and many more were scheduled to be released. She has written numerous songs that have been a blessing to many. Her passion for souls and desire to see the hurting healed was the motivation behind her Prison Ministry Outreach which reaches over 200 inmates in 21 prison facilities. She has been aggressively going beyond the church walls for over 40 years. Pastor Grier was awarded several proclamations of appreciation from the City of Downey for her outreach and community service work. Pastor Grier loved to decorate her home, inside and outside, for every holiday. She wanted her decorations to minister to those who visited and those who passed by her home. She loved entertaining and believed in providing hospitality as the Bible instructs us to do. That led to her love for fine dishes, linens and other houseware to make visitors feel special and loved. In her spare time, she enjoyed watching period movies, Korean movies and relaxing with family and friends. Pastor Grier experienced a long season of illness, but pain never stopped God's purpose for her life. She accomplished more on her bed than most people accomplish having their mobility. She was in the process of starting a new business venture, "Between You and Me" , an estate planning consulting busi-
ness. She was an extraordinary "Woman of Faith" and "God's General", who loved the Lord and loved her family. She will be dearly missed! She was preceded in death by her husband, Bishop J. Cris Grier, father, George Simpson, mother, Margurite Simpson, brothers Oscar, Lovie, Maurice, George Jr., Grant (O.J.), Warnell, Darnell, and Curtis Simpson. Sisters, Pearline Woodley, Georgia Stewart, Marjorie Taylor, Dorothy Johnson, Charlesetta Simpson, Shirley Baldwin, Joyce McNair and Theresa Simpson.
She leaves to cherish her memory, foster sister, Roberta Seals, a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, a godson, Joshua Morrison, her Breath of God Ministries International family, spiritual and step sons and daughters and friends. 

A Chayil Woman

“Who can find a Virtuous (Chayil) Woman?
Her price is far above rubies”. Proverbs 31:10

Pastor Garnett Simpson-Grier
A Woman of Valor, Warrior
A Woman of Might
A Woman of Wisdom and the Word
A Woman of Discernment
A Woman of Substance and Wealth
A Woman of Worship
A Woman of Prayer and Faith
A Woman of Noble Character
A Woman of Power and Influence
A Woman of Excellence



A Legacy of Faith, Love and Leadership
Written by Pastor Pat Grant

You surrendered your life
at a very young age
Determined to live by faith
despite your pain.
You stood on God’s Word
and taught us from every page
You believed all your work
would never be in vain.
Love was the weapon you used
over and over again
Love and laughter healed you
more often than the medicine.
You loved your family and friends
more than they will ever know
regardless of what you were going through
you allowed your love to flow.
You led with conviction
and shared everything you knew
wanting others to grow
and fulfill their purpose too.
There will never be another Pastor
quite like you.
We love you Pastor
We cherish our memories too
and every moment
God blessed us to have with you.
Breath of God Ministries International

Midnight Baby 

One thing I always knew about you being a Pastor was that you stayed busy. When I was a kid, the house was always full. Family and church members coming in and out. Phones ringing. Church work. Prayers. Counseling. Helping people. Book writing, etc. Sometimes growing up, I just wanted my time with you. But I knew you were a night owl. (Wink)
So I learned that if I called in the middle of the night, I could finally have you to myself for a little while.
Who knew those midnight calls would become some of the most important moments of my life?
Those were the moments we laughed. The moments we cried. The moments we prayed for our Simpson family. The moments we talked about life. The moments you poured wisdom into me. The moment you sang to me. The moments we shared secrets. The moments I felt safest. You always knew in your spirit when something was wrong with me before I ever said a word. And some nights, I would avoid calling because I knew you would feel it, and I just wanted to check on you and not have it be about me. But somehow, every time, you would call me and ask what was wrong, and there was no hiding from your discernment, your love, or your prayers. Or times I’d call and act like nothing was wrong, and you’d say somewhere in the conversation, “So what’s that heaviness I’m feeling from you?” Then you’d counsel me, pray with me, and I always got off the phone feeling better. I am going to miss you falling asleep on the phone with me. I am going to miss hearing your voice. I am going to miss me and you cracking up
all through the night. I am going to miss knowing that whenever life got heavy, I could dial a number I have known since childhood, and you would always answer. Every single time. Now all I have left are saved voicemails that I will cherish forever. The nights have become so quiet since you left. Now I wake up in the middle of the night and stare at my walls because
grief is loud in silence. I still want to call sometimes. I still reach for the phone before remembering you’re gone. Thank you for always taking my calls. Thank you for listening to my truth. Thank you for trusting me with pieces of yours. You are the GOAT...the greatest matriarch to ever do it. You looked out for your family no matter how they treated you. You never judged, forgave, and loved just as Christ told us to. You prayed over the 3rd generation and gave us prophecies I know will be fulfilled. You even referenced us getting to the promised land and out of the wilderness. I see now you were truly this family’s Moses. Somehow between those midnight conversations, you became more than my Nanie and Pastor. You became my friend. My confidant. My safe
place. I will love you forever. Until we meet again. Love,
Your Midnight Baby,
Mikiesha (Bubbles)


 A love that Stays 
She walked through life with quiet grace.
A steady light, a warm embrace.
In every laugh, in every smile,
She made the world feel soft awhile.
Her voice may fade, her steps be still,
But love like hers lives with us still.
In whispered winds and skies so wide,
We feel her presence by our side.
Though hearts may ache and tears may fall,
Her memory outshines it all.
For in each story, kind and true,
A part of her lives on in you.
So rest in peace, your journey is done,
A shining soul, forever one.
Gone from sight, but not from heart-
No distance ever pulls apart.
- Love Gabrielle Baldwin



Auntie Garnett
There’s so many things about you that I loved and will miss. I will just name a few. I loved when I would call and you would say, “Hey Mezza whatcha
doin?”...“I loved how you would talk to me about purpose and the importance of being an intercessor and Worship Leader...I loved how you would sing to me and with me old traditional gospel songs. Then you would tell me a story about our family that I didn’t know. I loved your ability to make each one of your nieces feel like they were your favorite and how you
shared a special bond with each of us. I’m going to miss you so so much. I love you.
Your niece (and favorite)
Michelle/Mimi/Meeza Lopez —

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