Bishop Jesse Lee Hyche

Bishop Jesse Lee Hyche was born April 12, 1933, in Tuscaloosa Alabama. Jesse was the eleventh of thirteen children born to Robert and Ozella Hyche. At an early age, Jesse learned the value of hard work in the cotton fields of his family property. Jesse attended the public school system in Tuscaloosa, as he matriculated into young adulthood. As it were in those days, you would have to receive permission from your father to leave home, so when he became of age he asked his father for his blessing, which he granted. In 1950 at the age of 17 years old with only the clothes on his back, a small suitcase, and a few dollars in his pocket Jesse set out to travel to Niagara Falls, New York to be with his older brother. While on his way to New York, God’s divine providence would have him to stop over in Indianapolis to visit with his older sister and her husband.

As God was always in the plan, he never continued his journey to New York. Jesse began working at the Bluebird Pie Company. While at Bluebird, Jesse was introduced to Naomi Marie Muncie by her aunts who also worked at Bluebird. When Jesse met Naomi, it was love at first sight. Jesse was so in love that he would walk down on the other side of the street just to get a glimpse of her sitting out on the front porch. Naomi was a saved young lady with a generational holiness upbringing. As God would have it, Jesse was immediately informed by Naomi’s mother that he could not court her daughter unless he received the Holy Ghost and to that Jesse responded, no problem.

Jesse was baptized in 1952 at Christ Temple under the pastorate of the late Bishop Morris E. Golder, and he was filled with the Holy Ghost in 1955 at Jerusalem Temple under the pastorate of the late Elder John Grigley. Jesse, immediately desired to return home to tell his family about the Holy Ghost!

Desiring to better his economic circumstances and to prepare a life for his love-Naomi Muncie, Jesse began working an additional job at International Harvester (Navistar). Jesse patiently waited 8 years to marry the love of his life. This was a divine connection orchestrated by God to bring these two together in this life. Jesse and the love of his life Naomi Marie Muncie were married on a hot sultry day on Sunday, June 8, 1958, at Jerusalem Temple Church. Because of the blessing of the Lord, his hard work, and determination, they were able to build and move into their newly constructed home, less than one year after their wedding. God continued to bless their marriage tremendously, and to this union were born six children: Roderick, Patrick, Jacquelyn, Joycelyn, Frederick, and Siderick.

This was a blessed family as Jesse and Naomi worked tirelessly to provide a better life for them and laying a firm spiritual foundation. Jesse was a wonderful husband, father, and provider. He and his wife were very active in the school system, and in the community. Jesse loved to keep a manicured yard with lush green grass and beautiful flowers. For several years, the family had six horses on their property on the eastside of Indianapolis. Jesse was the epitome of a man’s-man and true servant for his wife and family, both were multi-talented, gifted, and anointed. Jesse and Naomi were visionaries and entrepreneurs, having established several businesses. There was nothing he could not do with his head and his hands, and there was nothing they could not do together. They truly walked as one. Jesse learned upholstery and opened a shop in his garage and together they did all sorts of projects including remodeling, interior designing from carpeting, wallpaper, draperies, room and furniture design. Jesse worked alongside his wife in their wedding planning and coordinating business, all while continuing to work at International Harvester, retiring after 36 years.

Jesse was called into the ministry in 1959 and began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ with great fervor and anointing. In 1960, Jesse and his family would be a part of a group who would become the founding members of Pentecostal Apostolic Church under the pastorate of his brother-in-law, the late Bishop Arbie Clay. Sundays with Jesse in the pulpit along with his wife on the organ would set the church on fire, for no one could lead an anointed praise and worship service like him accompanied with his wife playing the organ. Bishop Hyche would be appointed as Assistant Pastor and served faithfully under this ministry for over 26 years, his wife serving at his side as church music director and organist.

In 1987, under the prompting of the Lord, Bishop Hyche and his wife were called into the pastoral ministry. They would be the visionaries and founders of House of Prayer Community Church. The church began in a small house with a few saints and a prophetic prayer meeting. The newly established church and ministry experienced many struggles and hardships, but the Lord delivered them out of them all. Bishop Hyche and Mother Hyche had an authentic anointing for the pastorate. The Spirit of the Lord moved mightily within this house of worship, thus giving birth and affirmation to this ministry and the name of the church. Bishop Hyche was a man of great humility, fervent prayer, spiritual vision, and highly anointed of God. He was a true servant with a shepherd’s heart who loved God and his people. He along with his wife by his side, were able to help birth many souls into the kingdom as they ministered together to the glory of God. In April 2000, House of Prayer Community Church moved into a newly renovated worship facility on E. 46th Street. There was a great and anointed processional and worship service, like David bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. Bishop Hyche and his wife served as founding pastors for twenty years until the Lord transitioned the spiritual mantle of the pastorship to their son, Bishop Frederick Hyche, and his beautiful wife, Lady Vera Hyche.

Bishop Hyche was such a tremendous example of Godly character, integrity, and faithfulness. He was a humble giant of the faith and love of Christ. He attended Muskegon Bible Institute and was consecrated a Bishop in the Lord’s church in October 2002. Bishop Hyche always kept the heart of God and was a servant’s servant. Bishop was a lover and staunch defender of the truth of God’s Word. He always believed and taught the higher God elevated you the humbler you ought to be. He would often say a title does not make you, but you must make the title. He had no respect of persons, but he treated everyone with immeasurable grace and kindness. There were countless lives he touched with such love, compassion, and the Word of God. Bishop Hyche loved the Lord, he loved his wife, he loved his family, and he loved the people of God. The Word of God was alive in him, and he lived it out in real time trusting and believing God. This is his life and legacy: He gave his life in service to Lord, his family, and God’s people. Well done thy good and faithful servant!

Bishop Jesse Lee Hyche completed his earthly life on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the age of 91 years and 6 months going from labor to reward. He is preceded in death by his parents; Robert and Ozella Hyche; (6) sisters; Lela, Blanch, Cloverdale, Julia, Eula, and Bertha; (6) brothers; Arthur, Hezekiah, James, Felton, Bill and Buddie; a granddaughter, Patrice Hyche; a great-granddaughter, Hannah Hyche. Bishop Hyche leaves to cherish his life, memory, and to carry on his legacy, the love of his life and wife of over 66 years, First Lady Emerita, Mother Naomi Marie Hyche; four sons, Roderick, Patrick, Bishop Frederick (Vera), Siderick (Ronnie); two daughters, Jacquelyn Golden, Joycelyn Rogers (Derek); seventeen grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, saints, friends, and House of Prayer Community Church family.

A visitation for The Honorable Bishop Jesse Lee Hyche will be held Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church, 430 W Fall Creek Pkwy N Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46208, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 AM.