The late founder of Faith Temple Ministries will be memorialized in a special ceremony at the church today.

Bishop Dr. Obadiah Colander’s photo smiles from a special bench placed in the memorial garden, which will be unveiled in a special ceremony at 2 p.m. The event will include refreshments and a keynote speech by Clerk of Circuit Court Randy Carter. The community is welcome.

“It will be a lasting memory for the church as well as the community,” said Rita Turner, Colander’s daughter. “He’s done so much for the community, not just here at Faith Temple but for so many people.”

As founder and pastor of the church on Wellons Street for many years, Colander reached out to those around him — not just around the church or around the block, but even in other cities, Turner said.

“He was a man of God,” said his son, Alfred Colander. “He was a prophet with vision.”

Part of Colander’s vision, and perhaps his best-known accomplishment, is the King’s Kids program, which has mentored hundreds of children from throughout the city to walk with God and become better people.

He also founded ministries like Sisters With Pride, P.R.E.V.E.N.T. and the Faith Temple Bible Institute.

Interim pastor of Faith Temple Ministries, Troy Ruffin, said the memorial garden is a different way to celebrate the annual founders’ day.

“We always want to do something to recognize Bishop Colander,” he said. “We just want to honor him because he has done so much you can’t help but recognize him.”

“This is honoring the legacy of a prophet,” granddaughter Jeanette Ruffin said.

The church is located at 465 Wellons St. Call 934-2735 for more information.