Apostolic Ark Bishop Has A Passion to Serve Others

Presiding Bishop of the Apostolic Ark Pentecostal Church of Jamaica, Dr. Geoffrey Wellington Johnson, will be honoured on National Heroes Day, October 18, for 55 years of service to religion and community development.

He will receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service, at the National Honours and Awards ceremony.

Dr. Johnson, who is affectionately called “Brown’s Town Daddy’ for his decades of service to the St. Ann capital, where the church is located, tells JIS News that he is grateful to be recognised.

He says that his contributions are a direct result of the “call of God on his life, and his passion to serve others”.

“Preaching, that is number one, but overall, it is serving the people. I see to it that we do [what we can] to help the people of the community; that’s my duty… that is my concern,” he notes.

The church, under Dr. Johnson’s leadership, has adopted Huntley Avenue where it is situated and has ensured that the street is properly cleaned and maintained.

Community and church members benefit from a feeding programme, receive assistance with back-to-school supplies, and help is provided for persons who are ailing.

The church, which has branches overseas, was also instrumental in the renovation of a two-story building, which now houses the Brown’s Town police.

Dr. Johnson also supports and participates in community policing initiatives and assists the elderly whose children may have died or are living overseas.

He tells JIS News that he does not intend to stop his community outreach.

“Until death, I will not stop from working. It is my duty because I am looking to the greatest paymaster, who is Jesus Christ,” he notes.

Bishop Linden Johnson, who serves in the ministry, tells JIS News that his father is “that person who [everyone] looks up to, both the religious and secular communities. He has a name and a reputation that is outstanding”.

He says he is proud of his father’s work and intends to carry on his legacy of service.

“Serving the community and serving in ministry, it’s a legacy we [his children] are trying to build on. It’s not going to be easy because he has spent his life relentlessly serving his community,” he notes.

“Now, that the Government has moved to honour him, we are appreciative of that because we have seen the work and have literally been running behind him for all our lives. Community service has become a part of us. It is a profound legacy that will live and last very long,” he adds.

General Secretary of the Apostolic Ark Pentecostal Church of Jamaica, Delroy Williams, tells JIS News that he grew up in the ministry, and “I’ve watched him (Dr. Johnson) wanting to see the goodness in others”.

“He doesn’t give up on anyone and his contribution to not only to the church but also the community is consistent,” he says.

Dr. Johnson, received a doctorate in Theology at the International University of Biblical Studies, located in West Virginia, United States.

His church forms part of the international Apostolic Ark Pentecostal Church organisation.