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History of
the Ministry
Apostle Jelf Downie was born on 2nd March 1937 in Sandy
Bay Mount Pelier, Hanover, Jamaica. He
was the youngest of five children.
Brought up in a God fearing home but had
not pursued to serve the lord at that time. Eventually as a young man he had the
opportunity to pursue a new and better life in England, i t was then he promised the
Lord that if he brought him safely to England he would begin to serve him
faithfully. This soon changed as he
arrived in England in June 1961 and began to live and enjoy life as a young, fit
and free man. One day he heard a group
of young men talking of the goodness of God and his wonderful acts, it was then
he was reminded of his agreement he had made with God to give his life to him.
He began working at Turners
Manufactory as a "tool setter" where he met Deacon Albert Nelson, who
encouraged him to give his heart to the Lord. Deacon Nelson continued to invite him to
various church meetings which he was grateful to attend. In April 1971 he was
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and not many days hence received
the Gift of the Holy Ghost at Refuge Temple London, Church of Our Lord Jesus
Christ.
In 1974 God showed him that
he had a work for him to do, but because of his apparently short time in the
faith, he was of a fearful heart and did not take heed to the call. In 1976 he was ordained Deacon.
Whilst performing his role
as a Deacon the Lord called him again and sent him to preach in the district of
Wednesfield, Wolverhampton at St.Chads Church hall. Many doubted the call of the
Lord upon his life and did not believe this to be true. It was said that “the
baptism water did not even have time to dry of his back and he wanted to have
church” As the Lord had promised to be with him he did not fold under the
pressure. Even when he was visiting other churches they would often introduce
him asking his congregation to stand, which consisted mainly of his family (two
adults and seven children aged 1-11years of age). Even with this mockery of men
God continued to bless the church in Wednesfield as promised, he remained in
Wednesfield for 19 years. Souls where added unto the church such as should be
saved.
In 1987 he was directed
again by God to start a Sunday School in Walsall. The church was blessed; Sunday school children
came from all over the area. Then in 1990
he began Pastoring in Hulme, Manchester.
Fou r years later at the age
of 57 he was ordained as Bishop; God had much work for him to do. God was
blessing his ministry from strength to strength.
After many years of pursing
a place of worship of their own and in December1994 General Assembly purchased
Mount Olive Apostolic Church, which was originally Little London Baptist Church,
Temple Bar, Willenhall, in December 1994.
The building had been left, abandoned and much work needed to be carried out
before worship could commence there, but Bishop and the congregation were
determined to restore the building even though funds were not available, they
knew the Lord would provide. In 1995 the
church was ready to be dedicated to the Lord.
As his work continues he
recently began pastoring in London in 2006. At the age of seventy years he is still
renowned for his steadfastness, and dedication to not compromising the word of
God. His faith and commitment to God
continues to allow him to be blessed, along with all his children, his
children’s children and even as many as the lord shall call. He is a true example and testimony of how we
are God’s instruments in this warfare.
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