10 Years From Slavery
In the shadows of Reconstruction-era South Carolina, a four-year-old orphaned Black boy was left with little more than his aunt’s care and an unwavering faith. Few could have imagined that this child, William Edward Fuller Sr., would rise to become one of the most influential African American religious leaders of the 20th century, founding a powerful denomination that spanned more than 500 churches across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. In 1912, he established the Fuller Normal Industrial Institute, a groundbreaking educational institution that provided a pathway to liberation through faith, education, and economic empowerment for the Black community during an era of brutal segregation and systemic oppression. By the time of his death in 1958, Fuller had not only reshaped religious and social landscapes but had also become one of the wealthiest African American men in America—an extraordinary testament to vision, resilience, and generational impact.
Amazon
Best selling
Author
As Remembered by ruth fuller lewter and betty fuller taylor And told to bishop Andy C. Lewter, Rosalyn lewter aaron and tonya lewter gordon
10 Years from Slavery tells the extraordinary story of Bishop Fuller’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming the founder of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas.
Topics Covered by "Ten Years From Slavery"
Biography and Early Life of Bishop William Edward Fuller Sr.:
The book chronicles his journey from being born into a sharecropping family just ten years after slavery in Mountville, South Carolina (1875), through being orphaned at age four, to becoming a prominent religious leader. It details his upbringing by his Great-Aunt Ida and his early experiences with racial violence in the post-Reconstruction South.
Education and Economic Empowerment:
The book discusses Bishop Fuller's vision for African American advancement through education, including the establishment of Fuller Normal School, and his remarkable economic achievements. This includes his ownership of hundreds of income-generating properties and his creation of economic opportunities for his community during an era of severe racial discrimination.
The Founding and Development of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas:
The book extensively covers Bishop Fuller's spiritual journey, his encounter with the Fire-Baptized Holiness movement in 1896, and how he established and led this denomination. It details the church's growth from establishing over fifty congregations in South Carolina and Georgia to expanding into Canada and the Caribbean.
The Fuller Family Legacy and Life in Atlanta:
The book vividly chronicles life at the Fuller family home at 556 Houston Street—part of Atlanta’s historic “Bishop’s Row”—weaving intimate multigenerational family stories with broader currents of African American history, from the Harlem Renaissance to the Civil Rights Movement. Built by Bishop W. E. Fuller in 1929 during the Great Depression, the Georgian brick mansion later became known as the Fuller Freedom House, transforming into a vital sanctuary during the 1960s for members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and civil rights leaders such as John Lewis, Stokely Carmichael, and Ruby Doris Smith Robinson. This evolution from spiritual stronghold to center of resistance exemplified how Fuller’s legacy adapted to meet the urgent demands of racial justice. In February 2021, that legacy received lasting recognition when then-Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms designated the Fuller Freedom House a City of Atlanta Landmark Site—the city’s highest level of historic protection—cementing its place as a preserved symbol of Atlanta’s civil rights history.
Get Your Copy of "Ten Years From Slavery"
Reader's reviews
This remarkable book captures the extraordinary legacy of Bishop William Edward Fuller Sr. with profound depth and authenticity. As a current bishop of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, I am deeply moved by how the authors have preserved not only the historical facts but the spiritual essence of our founder's vision. The narrative beautifully illustrates Bishop Fuller's journey from the challenges of post-emancipation South Carolina to becoming a transformative religious leader whose influence extended across North America and the Caribbean. This work serves as an essential testament to the faith, resilience, and pioneering spirit that continues to guide our denomination today, and I commend the Fuller family for ensuring this invaluable history is preserved for future generations.
Bishop Patrick Frazier
Bishop
This book is a treasure that illuminates the life of a giant in African American religious history whose story deserves to be known far beyond our denomination. Bishop Fuller's remarkable achievements—from establishing over fifty churches in just two years to building a substantial economic legacy that included hundreds of properties—demonstrate the power of faith combined with visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. The authors have masterfully woven together family memories, historical context, and theological significance to create a narrative that honors both the man and the movement he founded. As a current bishop, I am grateful for this comprehensive account that will help future generations understand the foundations upon which our church was built and inspire them to carry forward Bishop Fuller's legacy of excellence, faith, and service to our communities.
Bishop Alonzo Rogers
Bishop
The story of Bishop Fuller's life and ministry has long needed to be told with this level of detail and reverence, and the authors have succeeded magnificently. As someone who stands in the succession of leadership that Bishop Fuller established over a century ago, I find this book both personally inspiring and institutionally vital. The authors' careful research and use of family memories bring to life the remarkable accomplishments of a man who built not just churches, but entire communities of faith, education, and economic empowerment during one of the most challenging periods in African American history. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the foundations of our church and the enduring impact of Bishop Fuller's progressive vision, particularly his revolutionary stance on women in ministry.
Bishop Johnnie L. Davis
Bishop
Let Me Tell You More About
"Ten Years From Slavery"
Ten Years from Slavery traces the extraordinary rise of William Edward Fuller Sr., born in 1875 to a sharecropper family in Reconstruction-era South Carolina, who became a pioneering Black religious leader and institution builder just a decade after emancipation. Written by his grandchildren—Bishop Andy C. Lewter, Rosalyn Lewter Aaron, and Tonya Lewter Gordon—and grounded in memories passed down by his daughters, Emma Ruth Fuller Lewter and Betty Louise Fuller Taylor, this intimate family memoir reveals Fuller as both a visionary bishop, founder of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, and a shrewd entrepreneur who believed true freedom required spiritual renewal alongside economic independence. From personal tragedy and resilience to his advocacy for women in ministry, the narrative follows his influence from Atlanta’s historic Bishop’s Row to his former home’s role as a Freedom House during the Civil Rights Movement. Richly researched and deeply personal, the book illuminates how faith, leadership, and community building empowered African Americans through Jim Crow and helped shape the broader struggle for civil rights and economic justice.
You'll learn:
01.
Readers will learn the remarkable journey of Bishop William Edward Fuller Sr., who rose from being orphaned at age four in post-slavery South Carolina to founding the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas and establishing over fifty congregations across North America and the Caribbean within just two years.
02.
Through intimate family memories, readers will experience life at the iconic 556 Houston Street on "Bishop's Row" in Atlanta, where three prominent Black bishops lived side-by-side.
03.
Bishop Fuller's comprehensive vision for Black advancement through the establishment of Fuller Normal Institute, which provided education during critical periods including the post-integration era when Black students needed alternative educational opportunities.
04.
Readers will understand how Bishop Fuller's legacy connects to broader African American history, including the Great Migration, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Civil Rights movement, while learning how his spiritual teachings emphasized the transformative power of holiness doctrine.
05.
How Bishop Fuller built an extraordinary economic legacy during the height of segregation, accumulating hundreds of income-generating properties and creating pathways for African American economic empowerment while maintaining a progressive stance on women in ministry that was revolutionary for his era.
Get Your Copy of "Ten Years From Slavery"
About The Storytellers
Drawing on intimate family accounts shared by his last surviving daughter, Betty Fuller Taylor, and treasured stories of his second youngest daughter, Ruth Fuller Lewter (1929–2007), along with the collective memories of his grandchildren Bishop Andy C. Lewter, Rosalyn Lewter Aaron, and Tonya Lewter Gordon, this book provides unprecedented insight into the man behind the ministry.
Readers will discover how Fuller navigated the tumultuous Harlem Renaissance period with a distinctive approach that set him apart from contemporaries like Adam Clayton Powell Sr. and Sweet Daddy Grace. They will witness his remarkable business acumen that led to the development of over 500 churches and countless residential properties across the Southeast, creating pathways to homeownership for African Americans when such opportunities were systematically denied.
And they’ll step inside the imposing yellow brick Georgian mansion at 558 Houston Street, where the Pentecostal princesses Ruth and Betty were raised in a household that blended spiritual devotion with cultural refinement.
More than just a biography, this book captures a pivotal chapter in African American history—one emergence of Black institutional and economic power achieved overcoming odds. Bishop Fuller’s legacy of faith, organizational leadership, and economic empowerment continues to influence generations, offering timeless lessons on resilience and purpose-driven success.
"Through our family’s cherished memories and lived experience, we bear witness to a man of unshakable faith and uncommon vision—Bishop William E. Fuller, Sr., who transformed adversity into spiritual, institutional, and economic empowerment for generations to come.“
- Ruth Fuller Lewter, Emma Clare Wright Fuller & Betty Fuller Taylor
About The Authors
“
Bishop Andy C. Lewter, born in Brooklyn, New York, is a scholar and religious leader whose legacy is rooted in the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas as the grandson of its founder, Bishop William Edward Fuller, Sr. He earned degrees from Oberlin College and Harvard University and completed his Doctor of Ministry at United Theological Seminary. He has provided pastoral leadership to four congregations in New York and Ohio.
A Founding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship since 1993, Bishop Lewter currently serves as Bishop of Christian Education. He is recognized as both a churchman and Christian educator, having developed numerous online theological courses and authored books, including the Amazon bestsellers Shattering the Stained Glass Ceiling and Use Your Keys.
He succeeded his father, Dr. Andy C. “Daddy” Lewter, as President of New Millennium Development Inc., a nonprofit focused on economic development and affordable housing, and founded Church Talk Media, an internet-based television and radio platform highlighting Christian content and worship services.
Bishop Lewter has edited and produced The Full Gospel Baptist Times, The Bishop Magazine, and The Gospel Express. He has led Annual Theological Intensives at Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Emory University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Rutgers University, trains bishops within the Fellowship, and serves as an adjunct professor at Beulah Heights Bible University in Atlanta, Georgia.
His work is featured in the Netflix docudrama Testament: The Story of Moses. Known as “The Storyteller Lewter,” he pioneered Bible Fiction, authoring modern retellings such as The Trial of Cain, Broken Promises, Executive Privilege, The Preacher’s Wife, and The Black Pontiff, as well as From Apostles to Bishops.
He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons. Bishop Lewter values his family, including his daughter Stephanie Lewter Williams and grandchildren, who embody the spiritual legacy he preserves.
Bishop Andy C. Lewter
“
Rosalyn Lewter Aaron, born in Brooklyn, New York, is a graduate of Spelman College, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development. She is a compassionate leader, educator, and advocate whose life’s work centers on empowering individuals to heal, grow, and thrive through faith, resilience, and purposeful living.
Rosalyn has established herself as a respected voice in resilience training and grief management through her signature platform, The Power of Resilience, where she equips individuals with practical tools to overcome adversity, navigate life transitions, and build sustainable emotional and spiritual strength. Her work has impacted diverse audiences, including individuals, families, churches, and community organizations.
Known for her ability to connect deeply and authentically with people, Rosalyn is a sought-after mentor, speaker, and facilitator whose teachings inspire others to embrace their potential, rediscover hope, and move forward with confidence. Beyond her work in personal and professional development, she has remained actively engaged in faith-based and community initiatives, offering guidance, encouragement, and leadership grounded in compassion and wisdom.
As an entrepreneur, Rosalyn is a veteran travel agent and an accomplished printer and publisher of a unique self–page-turning audio Bible, blending innovation with ministry to make scripture more accessible. Acting has always been one of her creative passions, with notable stage performances including Amen Corner, The Delany Sisters: The First 100 Years, and Running Scared, Running Free, where she brought depth and authenticity to powerful narratives.
Rosalyn co-authored the book Coach alongside Bishop Andy C. Lewter and Tonya Lewter Gordon, contributing her insight on personal growth and life navigation. Married for 42 years, she is blessed with six children and seventeen grandchildren, and she considers her greatest joy to be knowing and doing the will of God as her love continues to grow for God, family, and community.
Rosalyn Lewter Aaron
“
Tonya Lewter Gordon, born in Brooklyn, New York is a graduate of Spelman College, with a Bachelor's Degree in English. She is a visionary leader and entrepreneur whose career is marked by innovation, dedication, and commitment to community empowerment.
Tonya is the Founding Executive Director of New Millennium Development Services, Inc. A Nonprofit Organization that was started in 1997 with a two-fold mission of economic and nationwide affordable housing development. As the Founder, Owner, and CEO of La Vie Development Services, Inc., established in 2005, she has built a Nationwide Supplier Diversity Certified Business.
This company offers a diverse range of services that includes real estate development, green energy efficiency, and professional leadership training. Her company is a trailblazer in the electric vehicle charging station sector as one of the few Nationally Certified Supplier Diversity Firms in this industry.
Tonya also continues the legacy of the family business, Lewter‑Scott Travel Associates, Inc. Her accomplishments include the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Tonya is a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Entrepreneurship Alumni, Member of the Ascend National Morehouse/IBM HUB, Graduate of the WBENC Energy Executive Program, Graduate of Pace University Construction Management, New York State Certified Trainer for Real Estate, Member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., L.I. Chapter and Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Tonya co-authored with Bishop Lewter and Rosalyn Lewter Aaron the book "Coach", a valuable guide designed to help individuals successfully navigate both their personal and professional journey.
Tonya shared a cherished marriage with her beloved husband, the late Pastor Calvin Gordon of the Call Unto Me Ministry and Elder at the Hollywood Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral. She is grateful to have two wonderful bonus children, Monzique Gordon and Ariel Israel, along with their beautiful families, who continue to bring joy and love into her life.
Tonya Lewter-Gordon
“As the grandchildren of Bishop William E. Fuller, Sr., we have carried the sacred stories passed down from our mother, Ruth Fuller Lewter, and our Aunt Betty Fuller Taylor—not merely as family memories, but as living testimony of a visionary whose faith, discipline, and divine purpose built more than churches; he built legacy.”
- Bishop Andy C. Lewter, Rosalyn Lewter Aaron & Tonya Lewter-Gordon
Bishop Fuller Inc.
Bishop Fuller Inc. is a legacy-focused media and publishing initiative dedicated to preserving and sharing the life, ministry, and enduring impact of Bishop William Edward Fuller Sr., the visionary founder of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas. Through carefully curated storytelling, the book entitled, "Ten Years From Slavery" chronicles his journey in the shadow of post-slavery America to the establishment of a vibrant Holiness movement that provided spiritual identity, leadership, and institutional strength for African Americans in the early twentieth century. This story is currently shared through paperback publications, audiobooks, and ebooks, making Bishop Fuller’s faith, struggle, and triumph accessible to a broad and multigenerational audience. Looking ahead, Bishop Fuller Inc. is committed to expanding this legacy through theatrical platforms, including television, film, and stage productions, ensuring that the remarkable narrative of Bishop Fuller and the Fire Baptized Church continues to inspire, educate, and transform audiences across diverse cultural and artistic spaces.
CONTACT US
Address:
414 South Service Rd
Suite 117 Patchogue, NY 11772