AFCOJI Leaders

From my grandfather Clarence Ray's perspective, he tells the story of a day in the early 1940s when he was walking home from work (his car had run out of gas) and saw a gentleman pitching a tent. He asked the gentleman if he could be of any assistance, as it seemed he was having difficulty finishing the project. After they finished, the man thanked him and invited him to come back later in the evening for a revival service. "Revival service?" he said. "Well, maybe I just might." "Sir, what is your name?" he asked. The man replied, "Rev. Adams." "And yours?" The other man said, "Clarence Ray."

Clarence Ray received salvation during this tent revival and began following Rev. Adams's ministry. In late 1943, Rev. Adams and a few other followers left their current denomination and founded the Apostle Faith Church of Jesus in 1944. The church began holding services under a tent on 5th Street until they were able to build a sanctuary and a home for Bishop Adams and his family. In 1946, Bishop Adams passed away at a fairly young age, leaving Bishop James Dye as the presiding bishop. In 1947, Bishop Dye and his assistant, Bishop B.J. Cobb, thought it would be a great idea to spread the Apostolic Doctrine in a new location. They then commissioned Elder Clarence Ray Sr. to begin a ministry in Pompano. In his obedience, he did so, and alongside his wife, Leola, and children, he began holding services under a tent. Many people from the community joined Pastor Ray and the new Apostle Faith Church of Jesus. Men and women from all over town came to hear the word of the Lord, which included a message of hope, prayer, and salvation.

 
In 1948, a young man whose mother had just joined Pastor Ray’s ministry came to see what all the fuss was about. This man would later become Brother Raymond Robinson once he received the gift of the Holy Ghost. A few years later, Bishop Dye passed away, leaving Bishop Cobb to become the presiding bishop. During his tenure, a third church was added in Hollywood, FL. In 1967, Bishop Cobb passed away, leaving Elder Clarence Ray Sr. to become the presiding bishop of the Apostle Faith Church of Jesus. With a vacant pastoral position at the headquarters church in Fort Lauderdale, FL, newly appointed Bishop Ray sent the now-Minister Robinson to lead the members in Fort Lauderdale.

Bishop Ray and the church soared to new heights in ministry, opening six additional locations in different cities throughout the state of Florida. During the "Golden Years," the Apostle Faith Church produced many preachers, missionaries, bishops, and pastors, including women. At a time when many thought women had no place in pastoring a congregation, Bishop Ray broke the mold and believed women were just as qualified as men. After the death of Pastor Nathan Reid of Clewiston, Bishop Ray appointed his wife, Evangelist Zola Mae Reid, to be the pastor of Apostle Faith in Clewiston.

Bishop Ray was granted a lifetime presiding bishop position in the mid-1970s and served until his death in May 2001 at the age of 96. Under his leadership, the church grew to nine locations.