Bishop Bogan was saved during a "back-to-school" youth revival under the ministry of his beloved sainted grandfather and the mentor, the late Superintendent Theodore R. Harris at New Harris Temple Church of God in Christ in Flint, Michigan.

Bishop Bogan accepted his call to the ministry in November 1967 at Saints Academy College in Lexington, Mississippi. He graduated from "Saints" (Church of God in Christ church school) in May 1969. The school was under the leadership of Dr. Arenia C. Mallory.

He furthered his studies at Moody Bible College- Chicago, IL, Morehouse College-Atlanta, GA, C.S Mott College- Flint, MI and the University of Michigan- Flint, MI.

Service in the Ministry

In Michigan:
Under the leadership of the late Bishop C.J. Johnson, his father-in-law - Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction
• Ordained August, 1970
• Appointed Vice-President of Y.P.W.W to the late President E.T. Clark

Under the leadership of Bishop P. A Brooks - Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction
• Appointed President Y.P.W.W-1975
• Appointed Pastor & Chief Servant of New Harris Temple Church of God in Christ August 1980
• Served as Chairman of Finance/Expediter

Under the leadership of the late Bishop C.L Anderson, Jr. - Great Lakes Michigan Jurisdiction
• District Superintendent- Progressive
• Administrative Assistant
• Special Assistant

Nationally — Church of God in Christ, Inc.:
Under the leadership of the late Presiding Bishop J.O Patterson, Sr.
• Vice President of the International Youth Department
• International Assistant Chief Adjutant

Under the leadership of the late Presiding Bishop Louis Henry Ford
• Continued to serve as Vice President, International Youth Dept.
• Special Committee on "Women In Ministry"

Under the leadership of our former Presiding Bishop Chandler D. Owens
• Also served as Vice President, International Youth Department until he was appointed Jurisdictional Prelate.
• January 24, 2000 selected as Jurisdictional Prelate — Great Lakes Michigan First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, succeeding the late Bishop C.L. Anderson, Jr.
• April 14, 2000 Concecrated as Jurisdictional Prelate — Great Lakes Michigan First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

Under the leadership of our present leader, Bishop Gilbert Patterson
• Served as Jurisdictional Prelate until his demise.
• He honored Bishop Patterson by traveling with him on many occasions, such as;  Bishop Patterson's campaign and speaking engagements, and Concecration ceromonies of new Bishops.

On November 27, 1992, the late Presiding Bishop Louis Henry Ford dedicated $3 million state-of-the-art sanctuary, known as the Harris Memorial Church of God in Christ, named in honor of the founders and his grandparents Superintendent Theodore R. and Mother Erma I. Harris.

In August 2000, Bishop Bogan was installed as Jurisdictional Bishop of Great Lakes First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Michigan.

Bishop Bogan was married to Dianne Johnson Bogan and to this union two sons were born. Walter Emile Bogan, II and the Elder Eric Calaphas Bogan, one beautiful daughter by marriage Karleen Senita; three wonderful grandchildren, Kolby Shantel, Blake Harris & Luke Emile and a host of adopted children of whom they nurtured, developed, and educated in private schools and college.

Bishop Walter Emile Bogan, Sr. entered the Church Triumphant on Sunday, January 8, 2006. He was loved by so many people. At his homegoing celebrations (local, jurisdiction & national), thousands were in attendance from across this country. More than 60 Bishops of the Church of God in Christ, Bishops from other reformations, more than 35 Jurisdictional Women's Department Supervisors, including the General Supervisor of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., Mother Willie Mae Rivers attended the homegoing services. Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson was the Eulogist and also served as Interim for Great Lakes First Jurisdiction.

To God Be the Glory.