Bishop R. C. Hugh Nelson is a man of God committed to a ministry of restoration that reaches beyond the gates, to uplift those most in need.  Bishop Nelson was born on the island of Jamaica to the late Rev. Vernon N. Nelson and Eva Nelson.   He gave his heart to the Lord at the tender age of ten, and as a young adult migrated to London, England.   He pursued his undergraduate studies in Theology at the European Bible Seminary in Rudersburg, Germany and Biblical Archaeological studies in Jerusalem, Israel.  He later earned his Masters in Divinity degree at the Church of God (COG) School of Theology, and Advanced Certification in Clinical Pastoral Education at the Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.  He is presently completing the Doctorate in Ministry degree at the New York Theological Seminary.

While pursuing his studies, Bishop Nelson worked closely with the community and became a charter member of 100 Black Men Inc. in Cleveland, Tennessee.  Prior to serving full time in ministry, he was employed as a psychotherapist at the Hiwassee Mental Health Center in Cleveland, Tennessee.   Bishop Nelson and his family moved to Ottawa, Canada where he served as Senior Pastor of the Ottawa Church of God, District Overseer, Chaplaincy coordinator for Ontario, Co-chair for the Community and Police Action Committee, President for the Samaritan Support Services of Ottawa-Carleton, Executive board member for COG in Ontario, Executive board member for COG in Canada, a guest workshop presenter at the Ontario Police Academy and member of the Church of God Publication Board.

Bishop Nelson and his family relocated to Brooklyn, New York in 2003 where he presently serves as Senior Pastor for the COG East Flatbush, District Overseer, Chairperson of Gayle Academy, President for Hope Center Development Corp., New York State Council member, New York State Care Ministries Coordinator, New York State Chaplaincy Ministries Coordinator and member of the Church of God General Board of Education.  Bishop Nelson also serves as a trustee for the Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center.  Under his visionary guidance and focus on leadership development, the COG of East Flatbush has undergone a process of transformation into a viable community-minded congregation.  This community of faith has evolved from a single cell church model into an urban ministry center.   Our mission is to boldly present the life-changing message of Jesus Christ to the New York City community and beyond.   The church is home to over 1100 members and ministers to over 2,500 on a weekly basis.

Bishop Nelson has been in ministry for over twenty years and enjoys ministering cross-culturally.  He has traveled to more than seventeen countries and has a passion for urban missions.   He has participated in several mission trips to Switzerland, Yugoslavia, Italy, France and South Africa.   In 2003 Bishop Nelson joined a group which included other ministers for a tour of Ethiopia as guests of the Ethiopian government.

Bishop Nelson has been married to Rev. Diana Nelson for over eighteen years, and they are proud of their three children R.C. Nelson Jr., Andre and Sigourney.