Bishop Rudolph Othniel Orjuna was born, October 24, 1946, the eldest of five siblings, to the late Bishop Dr. Assan Lou Orjuna and Louise Dorothy Gaiter. Rudolph successfully fulfilled multiple callings within his lifetime. Upon graduating, Booker T. Washington, Sr., High, Rudolph studied to become a nurse practitioner while attending the Miami-Dade community college. A few years later, Rudolph returned to college to pursue his true calling as a preacher where he received his PHO in ministry and joined The Baptist Church of the Good Shepherd.

 

Prior to being ordained, he served at the Good Shepherd, where he met his soon to be wife of 47 years, Terry Orjuna, who also served there as well. A couple years following, they joined hands in matrimony and upon their union, three sons were birthed: Alphaeus Orjuna, Elston Orjuna, and Darius Orjuna.

 

Rudolph and Terry later became members of the South Miami Church of God in Christ, where they established a service to the community called God’s Kitchen, where they fed and clothed the homeless in the South Miami area. The duo provided food baskets and toys for tots every holiday season for years during the 80’s and 90’s, where his son Alphaeus (13 then) was always of assistance. From there the duo went on to provide services on multiple boards in which he sat. It was also at South Miami Church of God in Christ, where he then elevated to the status of Elder. When he left South Miami Church of God in Christ, he started Gaiter Memorial where he then elevated to Bishop. After 10+ years of service to the South Miami Community, Bishop Orjuna retired.

 

Rudolph was a part of many organizations, such as the city of South Miami Counsel Board, South Miami Code Enforcement, the Board of County Commissioner, and then the Homeless Trust Board, where he then started a nonprofit organization called Gaiter Memorial outreach ministries in honor of his late mother, Louise Gaiter.

 

Rudolph was an outstanding prophetic Bishop, a great father, a loving husband, an amazing brother, and a devoted, great son. All his accomplishments are cherished dearly. His favorite scripture was 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, and not by sight).

 

Bishop Rudolph was truly loved by his wife, Terry Orjuna, whom he leaves behind along with his four sons, Sean Michael Cook (Nia) of Orlando, Florida, Alphaeus Orjuna (Dominique), Elston Orjuna, and Darius Orjuna; two spiritual daughters, Brandy Jackson and Juna Beauchamp, all of Miami, Florida; twelve grandchildren, Desiree Lawrence, Neveah Orjuna, Ivianna Orjuna, Sheyenne Orjuna, Madara Orjuna, Yolanda Cook, Diamond Parker, Cameron Cook, Jordan Cook, Ember Cook, Serinty Jackson, and Zion Jackson with a new edition on the way, three great-grandchildren, Bryson Cook, SyTrine Ny’Lani Parker, SaMaria Nia’Omi Parker; four siblings, Anthony Payne (Ava), Charles Payne, Arguletha Alexander (Charles), and Sharon Love (Xavier); nephews/nieces, Donna Adams (David), Robert Alexander (Yolanda), Rashad Alexander, Joaquim Payne, Xavier Love, Jr., Camille Carlins (Maurice), Cantrice Payne, Marcus Myers, (Shanta), Antonio Nelson, Tina Nelson; and a host of cousins.