2011-03-29

Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) Inc.

Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic)

Church Biography

Having started the Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic), Inc. in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, Bishop ’s vision was of purchasing a church building. The membership at 59 North Main St. began to increase rapidly and this small building, wherein God had extremely blessed, was on the verge of “bursting at the seams.” The vision to obtain a better place of worship was in the mind of both the pastor and the saints, and although it seemed farfetched, it began to materialize. The pursuit of purchasing a church building began with a membership of seventy-eight saints, having one voice and one heart said, “We are well able for the challenge.”

It was October 17th 1971 that the vision became a reality. The Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) Inc. left 58 North Main St. and marched towards their newly purchased building located 29-35 Haledon Ave Paterson , New Jersey . This was a time of great celebration. Excitement filled the air. The banner of the Church of Jesus Christ was unfurled. The saints in queue marched triumphantly towards their new edifice. Young people Bro. C. Williams and Bro. Tyrone Guiden held the banner, Missionaries: Higgins, Porter, Green, Christie, Williams, Seville, Cameron, Irving and others dressed in their white dresses, Deacons: Winston McKoy, Lloyd Cameron, Higgins, Christie, McFarlane, Lawrence, Bolt and others directed the flow of believers, Elders: Porter, Bolton, Welch, Farquharson, and others along with their pastor, Bishop R.C. Williams moved graciously towards Haledon Avenue. The sound of jubilee was in the air. The sacrifices of joy were offered to the Lord and the anointing of God rested on the saints. The service was concluded by Mr. Goodman Singer Esq., the lawyer of the church giving the benediction from Numbers 6: 24-26.

The members of the Church of Jesus Christ ardently sought the Lord for his spiritual blessings. On Jan. 2nd 1972 , there was a sound of a might rushing wind in a small room in the basement of the church. God in his might and power took a hold of the young people as they waited for the Holy Ghost. This was our first historical and spiritual event of this magnitude. Approximately 22 people were filled with the Holy Ghost. This blessing continued through the years that followed. Many souls baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. The gifts of the spirit were clearly seen as they were manifested in the church.

June 1973 was the beginning of the Apostolic Monthly Publication. The editor in chief Bishop R.C.Williams along with his staff members, Walter McKoy, Ancel Green, Wilfred Hector Sr. and Arthur Brett. This was done to promote the good news of salvation throughout the United States and other countries.

The church began an “Apostolic Broadcast” on WWDJ radio on December 6, 1979 which aired on Saturdays at 7:00pm The bible college commenced in 1975 under the leadership of Dr. Roy C, Williams and Reverend Bolton. The first graduation was on June 13th 1979 with a total of 12 graduates namely Ancel Green, Walter McKoy, Arthur Brett, David Lawrence, Ann Levy, Joyce Cherry, Marcus Williams, Citira Williams, Beverly Green, Murvia McKoy, Desmond Seville and Marcella Loban.

Over the years the church has grown in strength and numbers worldwide. We are praying that the Lord will continue to prosper us in all things and that through this ministry many will come to know him as the Lord of their lives.

First Presiding Prelate

Roy Constantine Williams, Pastor and General Overseer of the Church of Jesus Christ, Apostolic (Inc.) is a servant of God committed to building, nurturing and sharing of the Gospel worldwide. He is one of ten children born to Holland Constance and Ethel Maud Williams. He was born in Camaguey, Cuba. They migrated to Jamaica, West Indies from Cuba when he was three years old. Although he was christened a Catholic in Cuba, the hand of God was evident on his life at a very early age, thus he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized by Bishop S. A. Cole on June 2, 1946 and was filled with the Holy Ghost on Dec. 19, 1946. At the age of twenty, he was ordained to the ministry by Bishop S. A. Cole. With much enthusiasm and commitment he began to travel throughout the island of Jamaica, preaching and teaching the world of God.

In 1952 he met and married Citira Thompson. This union produced four children. He began traveling between the United States and Jamaica, finally settling in Paterson, NJ, where he established the Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (Inc), in 1962, in a little store front building on North Main Street. He did not go where he knew people, but spent numerous days and nights alone on his knees praying, fasting, and communicating with the Lord for His will to be done. His aim was not to be like anyone else, but to yield to the Holy Spirit. Many days and nights were spent singing and preaching alone until his wife and four children joined with him. With the support of his wife and family he continued daily supplication to the Lord. The blessing of the Lord began to flow in a very mighty way. Souls were being saved, and his ministry was noised abroad. The little store front building could no longer contain them, so together with one vision and one effort they decided to purchase a more suitable place of worship, and the Lord continued to add to the church daily

His vision continued to expand and as a result of this great vision other churches were also established and added to his now great organization. Through this vision, and the never failing support of his dear wife, which left him overwhelmed at times, never preventing him from doing the will of God, the church grew and expanded to Canada, England, Africa, India and many parishes in Jamaica, and throughout the United States.

On October 11, 1997, the Lord called his dear wife Mother Citira Williams home to be with Him. Although he misses her dearly, he remembers her fondly as his spiritual support and reinforcement, his pillar of strength and love of his life. Together they raised their four children, Beverly, Connought, Marcus, and Marcella. They were also blessed with three adopted daughters, Ilene, Jasseth, Isonia and one child Ndadaw, sponsored through Christian Children Fund.

Bishop Williams is strong and stern, yet kind and gentle. His academic qualifications, couple with the anointing of the Holy Ghost, has certainly equipped him for this great task of residing over these churches as General Overseer and Pastor.

On June 27, 1993 Bishop Williams was consecrated and anointed an Apostle, this was yet another blessing in his life. Apostle Williams also holds degrees and diplomas from the Kingdom Bible College, Fort Worth, TX, Doctorate of Divinity & Doctorate of Philosophy, Collegial Neotariamun, Philosopher, Kansas City, MO, Master of Bible Institute of American Bible, Kansas City, MO, Certificate American Assoc. Christian Counselors, Center for Biblical Counseling, Forest, VA, Notary Public, Certificate of Federal tax Service, Certificate in Electronics, Derry Institute, Certificate in Computer Science and Software, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Certificate of Achievement, Organ Hale Music Center. He attended Kingston Technical, and St. Simon College, both in Jamaica.

Memberships include: U. S. Chaplains Association; Britannica Society; Community Research, Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg, FL.

Awards: Certificate of Award, Paterson Mayor's Office 1992 Certificate, State of New Jersey Assembly. 1992

Apostle Roy Constantine Williams has certainly exhibited the qualities of a loving and faithful husband, father, Pastor. His sensitivity to God and the Church is overwhelming. We can all say from true hearts that when God called Roy Constantine Williams to the Ministry he also deposited into his life talents, gifts, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, much of what is needed for his positions as General Overseer of the Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (Inc). Apostle R. C. Williams died June 13, 2010.

External links






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