G.R. Travis

District Superintendent 1981-2003

District Secretary 1970-1976

Born on August 8, 1938, in Walthall County, Mississippi, Glen Ray (G.R.) Travis was the youngest son and ninth of ten children born to Tom J. and Lena Dillon Travis. Raised in a home of deep faith, he was nurtured by the congregation of State Line United Pentecostal Church under the leadership of Reverend Earl Carney. At the age of thirteen, on June 22, 1952, he experienced a life-changing spiritual milestone when he received the Holy Ghost under the ministry of Evangelist Arlie Holmes. As a young teen, he could be heard by family and neighbors praying around an old tree stump in the woods near his home after school every day. This early foundation set the stage for a lifetime of service; by 1955, at the age of seventeen, he answered a divine call to preach, embarking on a three-year evangelistic journey that took him across Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Alabama.

The year 1958 marked a turning point in both his personal life and ministry as he married Delilah Keene on February 1st and accepted his first pastorate at the Second UPC of Bogalusa, Louisiana. However, his roots soon called him back to Mississippi, where he served as pastor at Powell’s Grove in Jayess from 1960 to 1963, and subsequently at New Chapel in Collins for five years, 1963-1968. During this era, Brother Travis also began his ascent into district leadership, serving the Mississippi District as Sectional Youth Director, District Youth Secretary, and District Youth President. In 1968, he moved his family to Corinth to pastor Pleasant Hill UPC, while concurrently serving as the District Secretary from 1970 to 1976.

His ministry continued to flourish in Vicksburg, where he pastored First UPC for eighteen years, from 1971 to 1989. It was during this fruitful season that he and Sister Travis raised their three daughters—Bonita (m. Britt Prince), Virginia (Ginger) (m. Mark Majors), and Wanda (m. James Marshall)—who eventually blessed them with ten grandchildren: Travis, Dillon, and Marshall Prince; Andrea, Anthony, Naomi, and Nathaniel Majors; Jeremy, Jason, and Joshua Marshall. Brother Travis’s leadership role expanded when he was elected District Superintendent in November 1981, a role he held until May 2003. His 21-year tenure was marked by immense growth and manifold blessings for the Mississippi District. His influence extended to the national level, where he served on the UPCI General Board for 28 years and the Mississippi District Board for 34 years. He dedicated himself to being a lifelong student of the Word and personal growth, and because of his decades of service and ministry, he was awarded a well-deserved Doctor of Theology degree based on life experience from Twin Cities University just before his 60th birthday.

In his latter years and following his retirement, Brother Travis remained an active laborer in the Kingdom, pastoring Heritage Apostolic UPC in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and serving as the inaugural Director of Compassion Services International. His broad contributions touched various organizations where he served on the Board of Directors, including the Urshan Graduate School of Theology, Jackson College of Ministries, Tupelo Children’s Mansion, and Lighthouse Ranch for Boys. Beyond the pulpit, he was a respected figure in the community, serving on the Mississippi Board of Nursing and opening legislative sessions with prayer.

Brother and Sister Travis traveled the world to share the gospel, offering a ministry of profound encouragement to the weary and a spark of hope to those facing spiritual struggles. His 54 years of service were distinguished by a steadfast faith that saw countless individuals healed and restored through the power of God. Often described as a "leader of leaders," Brother Travis was cherished for his rare combination of uncompromising integrity and a warm, infectious wit. He left behind a rich legacy rooted in his disciplined life of prayer, fasting, and a passion for mentoring the next generation of ministers and saints. It is only fitting that his monument bears the final, poignant tribute: “He served his generation well.”