Bishop Ralph Livingston Jefferson, a long time resident of the State of New York, was born out of the union of the late William Lankford and Lillie Mae (Chatmon) Jefferson on November 6, 1932 in Southampton, Long Island, New York. He has celebrated 51 years of marriage to Mrs. Ada Mae Purnell Jefferson. He is the proud father of Joseph, Theresa, Victoria, Lorretta, Reverend Ralphael Jefferson, and the late Jerry Jefferson. Bishop Jefferson was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost in the year 1957. Under the leadership of the late Dr. Joseph Arnold King. He has held various positions in the church since accepting Christ. Such include: Choir member, Sunday School Teacher, Minister, and Elder at King Chapel, Southampton, New York. YPWW District New York.

Upon receiving his call to the Ministry, his storied Ministerial experience began in February of 1959. He was ordained under the leadership of the late Bishop O.M. Kelly, at the Church of God in Christ in New York, New York. In July 1964, Bishop Jefferson founded Jefferson Chapel Church of God in Port Jefferson, New York. Upon making several moves, Jefferson Temple Church of God, in Bellport, New York was completed. It stands as the beacon light of the community. This edifice sets on two acres of land.

Service on the District and Jurisdictional levels both past and present include: Area president of the Leadership Conference New York, under Dean of the O.M.K. Religious Bible School. In 1986 he was appointed District Superintendent of the Mid-Eastern District under Bishop F.D. Washington. In 1990 he was appointed District Superintendent of the Mid-Island District. He serves as member of the Advisory Board, Eastern New York Jurisdiction. He served on the Executive Board as Administrative Assistant to the late Bishop James Gaylord of New York Eastern 1st Jurisdiction.

Bishop Jefferson received his formal education at Southampton Public School and obtained his New York High School Equivalency Diploma. Continuing on in becoming a Religious Major at the New York Theological Seminary, He then received his Masters of Religious Education at the American Bible College of New York. He later received his Doctorate from United Christian College, Brooklyn, New York.

Bishop Jefferson personal success and achievements have been manifested in many ways. Such as being voted "The Man of the Year" by the Long Island Advanced Newspaper for his outstanding service to the community. He was invited as an Inaugural guest to the late President Ronald Reagan. Additionally, he was afforded the great privilege of dining with Reverend Jesse Jackson, Mrs. Corretta Scott King, Andrew Young, and Bishop Tutu. Bishop Jefferson’s catalogue of accomplishments are too numerous to list, but are most certainly laudable. His life’s work for Jesus Christ has been a humbling and anointed and blessed experience.