VALDOSTA — Standing in an early church building for New Life Ministries, Bishop Larry D. Manning reportedly told his congregation, “Take a good look around. We’re only passing through.”

Manning believed in the growth of his congregation. He had faith in it.

In April 1991, he and wife Dr. Angela S. Manning founded a new church with about 50 members. They met at a deacon’s house. As the congregation grew, the church moved to several locations, including Cypress Street, Southside Recreation Center, Mathis City Auditorium, and back to Cypress Street.

“Take a good look around. We’re only passing through.”

By late 2006, Bishop Manning’s words proved prophecy as New Life Ministries opened a 1,500-seat, $3.1 million church on Inner Perimeter Road.

Yet, his words also held the truth of life: “We’re only passing through.”

On Thursday, Bishop Larry D. Manning passed away following a long battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 53.

“He was fighting it longer than we knew,” said friend and colleague Bishop Wade McCrae of New Greater Union Ministries. “Publicly, we learned of his illness about six months ago or so.”

McCrae once served as Manning’s pastor. McCrae licensed and ordained Manning’s start in the ministry. Both being bishops, Manning and McCrae became friends, colleagues and confidants.

“Bishop Manning was one of the most phenomenal pastors that Valdosta has ever seen,” McCrae said. “A visionary. … He was the epitome of a pastor. He understood the pastor’s heart.”

Manning would do as the biblical passage proclaims, McCrae said. “He’d leave the 99 to save the one.”

As a youth, he left South Georgia to serve in the Air Force for 21 years. He returned to South Georgia after retiring from service as a master sergeant.

Manning “earned an associate of applied science degree from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor of applied science degree, a master of ministry degree, and a doctor of theological studies degree from Bethany Bible College and Theological Seminary of Dothan, Ala.,” according to New Life Ministries’ Web site.

His wife, Dr. Angela S. Manning, joined him in the ministry.

They have three children, Vashti, Darnella, and Larry Jr., and five grandchildren, Abrien, Alaina, Aniyah, Alijah, and Shamarii.

The Web site notes that Manning dared “to be different by crossing denominational, racial, social, and economic lines through his powerful messages, which speak directly to the issues of men and women.”

Bishop Larry D. Manning was a man known to live by New Life Ministries credo: “God said it. I believe it. That settles it.”

Godfrey Funeral Homes is in charge of funeral services. Arrangements were incomplete Thursday evening.