News 12 at 11, April 9, 2007

AUGUSTA, Ga. --- After 17 years of leading the United House of Prayer For All People, S.C. "Daddy" Madison is dead. The popular Bishop died last Saturday in Washington at 86.

Wednesday night, his body was in Augusta as part or a 5-city tour. Augusta was the first of several scheduled public viewings.

Bishop Dr. S.C. Madison was the leader of the United House of Prayer for All People. Apostle Zane Crawford said Bishop Madison was someone who was very serious and humorous at the same time.

"When it came to doing right, living according to Gods word. He was very serious about that. But he also took time with the young people to laugh and he enjoyed young children," Crawford said.

They said he was also a person who was always filled with joy.

"He did what we call shouting all the time. He would put on a dance for the Lord. He didn't care even though he was a Bishop. He spun around on the pulpit as they call it, when we call it the mountain. He spun around and dance and give God the glory," Crawford said.

Some said he was a leader in the gospel and a spiritual father.

"This is tremendous. This is our leader and see one thing about it. He teaches us, this is the home-going celebration," Heyward Harrison said.

The United House of Prayer was packed. People came from all over, but that didn't surprise Crawford.

"It's actually expected. We know because he's touched our lives," Crawford said.

And they want Bishop Madison to be remembered as a spiritual minister to so many.

"It's devastating but also it is a moment filled with joy because we know he is finally met his agenda," Crawford said.

Crawford said they have declared a 30-day period of mourning to reflect on the life of Bishop Madison. There will be more public viewings in Charlotte, Virginia, New York City, and Washington D.C.