Bishop Robert A. Ellis was born in July 1963 to the late Mr. Jessie L. Ellis and Mrs. Era M. Ellis. He was raised in the First Full Gospel Pentecostal Church under the leadership of the late Bishop H. Smith and Pastor Helen Smith, where his spiritual foundation was established.
Later, he became a member of Tabernacle of Deliverance Church under the late Pastor F. J. Van Zandt and Pastor Mary Van Zandt. It was there, in 1980, that he accepted Christ into his life. During his eight years in that ministry, he faithfully served as Youth Leader and Musician.
Following this season, the Lord led him back to his home church under the leadership of Bishop Harold Smith and Co-Pastor Helen Smith, where he served for four additional years as Choir Musician and Associate Minister.
Afterward, Bishop Ellis was led to assist his brother, Pastor D.C. Ellis, in starting a new ministry. He served faithfully as Assistant Pastor for four years. It was during this time that God placed the call of Pastor upon his life.
In obedience to that call, Bishop Ellis founded The Pure Pentecostal Word Church, Inc. on April 21, 1997. On February 6, 2004, the ministry’s name was officially changed to Pure Word Church, Inc. For over twenty-one years, Bishop Ellis has pastored faithfully alongside his wife, Co-Pastor Johnnie E. Ellis, in Lancaster, Texas, where God continues to bless the ministry abundantly.
Bishop Ellis and Co-Pastor Ellis have been married for thirty-six years. They are the proud parents of one daughter, Shanetta, and son-in-law Courtney, and are blessed with two grandsons, Anthony and Courtney, and two granddaughters, Naomi and Jada.
