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Elder Henry Essick

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World

Elder Henry Essick grew up in Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church in Dayton, Ohio under the late, Bishop Ralph Bass, followed by the late, District Elder Henry Jones. Elder Essick attended Aenon Bible College when it was located in Columbus, Ohio and was a member of Living Faith Apostolic Church under Bishop Edgar A. Posey.

Elder Essick is a former Sgt at arms for the Ohio District Council (O.D.C.) Southwest Regional Men's Ministry. He currently is the Asst. Treasurer of the O.D.C. State Men's Ministry and the President of the O.D.C. Southwest Regional men's Minsitry. He has spent the last 12 years growing under the ministry of, Elder Robert Dewberry, Pastor, Bethel Pentecostal Temple, Dayton, Ohio.

Sister Essick was witnessed to by Elder Essick and was propmtly baptized in the name of Jesus by Elder Essick and Elder Earl Hayes at Bethesda Temple, receiving the Holy Ghost just days later in the home of Evangelist, Betty Abney. Preferring to assume a support role Sister Essick supports Elder Essick while maintaining a position as an officer of the court for the Montgomery County Court System. She is a devoted wife maintaining her home in the manner of the women of old. Together, they have two children, Camille and Henry III. Audio recordings of Elder Essick are available in the audio library of the Apostolic Archives International.

Bishop David Lee Ellis

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World

1935 ~ 1996

 Bishop David L. Ellis a native of Chicago, was endowed at birth October 4, 1935, with a tremendous Christian heritage. His parents, the late Elder Charles H. and Florence Lucille Ellis, was the founding pastor of Chicago's Indiana Avenue Pentecostal Church of God, established in 1934.

Bishop David Ellis the eleventh child of their union was born October 4, 1935, and was to mature in an environment of close knit family harmony with deep admiration and respect for his parents. He witnessed his father's relentless pursuits in establishing the Indiana Avenue church and shepherdizing it through the post depression years of the 30's, the turbulent war years of the 40's and the post war era. He marveled at his mother's ability to manage the care and comfort of her home and family and at the same time share her husband's struggle in building his church. He learned some of his most valuable life lessons from from these saintly parents, lessons that served him well in the years ahead when he began his pastorate.

Following elementary and secondary education in Chicago, he studied at the Moody Bible institute in Chicago. He ws filled with the Holy Ghost on January 26, 1948. He preached his initial sermon at Indiana Avenues Pentecostal Church in June, 1953. From his marriage on September 9, 1954 to Wilma Ruth Bardwell, there are four daughters and three sons. Two of his sons are ministers. Elected as Pastor of New Bethel Temple (now known as Greater Grace Temple of the Apostolic Faith) in May, 1962, he ultimately moved to Detroit, Michigan to assume full time pastoral obligations. As its history relates, Greater Grace Temple's remarkable progress is unparalleled in today's history of Black apostolic churches. 

Bishop Ellis was honored in 1975 with his Doctor of Divinity Degree; in 1977 with a Doctor of Humanities Degree and in 1982 he was ordained as Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Diocesan of the 30th Episcopal District of the Georiga State Council. He also served as the Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Bishop Ellis' life can be summed up in in his theme song, "Down through the years...GOD's been good to me." On March 19, 1996 Bishop David L. Ellis went home to his eternal reward. Audio Recordings of Bishop David Ellis are available in our Audio Library.

Rev. Roger Lloyd Evens

Apostolic Ministers Fellowship

1938 ~ 2008

Reverend Roger Evens was born on June 10, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan. He moved to Imlay City, Michigan in his teenage years and graduated from Imlay City High School. In 1952, at the age of 14, Roger was baptized in Jesus by Elder Stranburg in Detroit, MI. On March 8, 1954, At the age of 15, he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost while attending an Assemblies of God Church. At the age of 16, he started his first church in Imlay City.

He moved to West Palm Beach, Florida to be with his grandparents in 1958, where he met and married mary Lou Hilderman, October 18, 1959. In April they began attending the First Pentecostal Church of West Palm Beach, FL, his pastor was Rev. C.B. McDuff.

In 1962, Elder Evens began evangelizing and was on the evangelistic field for thirteen years. He held over 200 revivals. Roger was ordained in the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ in April, 1964, in Winterhaven, Florida. In 1969, He became a member of the newly formed Apostolic Minister's Fellowship. In October of 1975, He became the pastor of the Apostolic Christian Church in West Palm Beach, Florida.

His unique ministry blessed thousands of God's people all across the United States. He was truly an in-depth, and one-of-kind Bible Teacher. He stood for Apostolic truth, and has been an example of leadership throughout the ranks of Oneness Pentecost. 

Elder Evens preached his last message at Elder Eddie Featherstone's church in San Antonio, TX. On May 19, 2008, he passed away at the age of 69.  Audio and Video Recordings of Elder Roger Evens are available in our audio/video library of the Apostolic Archives International.

Rev. John A. Eckstadt

United Pentecostal Church International

1934 ~ 1978

Rev. John Eckstadt was born on November 10, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York. He received the Holy Ghost at the early age of 18 while attending an Assembly of God Church in Brooklyn. He was an alumni of Zion Bible College, Providence, Rhode Island. He served as pastor at the Assembly of God Church in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He began his teaching ministry at the Faith School of Theology in Old Orchard, Maine. He later pastored a church in Naugatuck, Connecticut, and opened a new church in Waterbury, Connecticut.

In October of 1963, he received the revelation of Jesus' name. He became the pastor at Bristol, Connecticut. Following this, he taught at the Pentecostal Bible Institute, Tupelo, Mississippi. Later he pastored the First United Pentecostal Church, Richmond, Virginia. He taught at the Jackson College of Ministries, Jackson, Mississippi; and later at the  Wide World of Ministries school in Fort Worth, Texas. His latest pastorate was at the High Point Pentecostal Church, Cincinnati, Ohio.

He was in demand as a camp meeting speaker and a Bible teacher. He traveled extensively in evangelistic work. Thousands of people were baptized in Jesus' Name and received the Holy Ghost as a result of his dynamic ministry.

After an illustrious ministry, Brother John Eckstadt was called home from this earthly labor on March 13, 1978. He is still greatly missed by his many friends and relatives. Audio recordings of Brother John Eckstadt are available in the audio library of the Apostolic Archives International. 

Bishop William A. Ellis, D.D.

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World

Bishop William A. Ellis is the youngest of 13 children born to the late Elder Charles and Lucille Ellis. His father was the founding pastor of the Indiana Avenue Pentecostal Church of God which is affectionately known as "35th Street Church" located at 3520 S. Indiana Ave. in Chicago, Illinois where he served as pastor until the Lord called him home in 1953.

Bishop Ellis experienced the new birth and received his Pentecostal experience on January 8, 1959 at the age of 17 years. His spiritual convictions and the tutelage he received under the loving eyes of his father and mentor have left an indelible impression in his life. After his father death, he cherished the spiritual guidance of his beloved brother, Bishop David Ellis, the late pastor of Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, Michigan who was also his confidant and best friend.

He began "preaching" at the age of 8 years wherever he could find an audience and box to stand on. In 1962, at the tender age of 20 he officially accepted the call to the ministry and received his first ministerial license from the Illinois District Council where the late Bishop John S. Holly was Diocesan. He was ordained in Los Angeles, CA at the 1968 Convention of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. In the year of 1975, he was elevated to the position of District Elder. Bishop Ellis was elevated to the Office Suffragan Bishop in August 1992. March 1994 he was elevated to the office of Bishop and assigned the 15th Episcopal Diocese (Mountain States) of the PAW. He served 2 terms as a dedicated and progressive Chairman of the Texas State Council.

On June 29, 1963, he was united to Holy Matrimony to Sister Mary P. Wilkins of Chicago, IL. They are now the proud parents of 4 sons: Isaac of Waco, TX, Jonathan, Michael and William, II of San Antonio. Their 5 lovely grandchildren are their pride and joy. In 1968 the Lord directed Bishop Ellis to San Antonio, Texas to pastor the Lincoln Park Church of Christ. Believing that God could bless him just as he blessed Abraham, Bishop and Sister Ellis packed their family and on a cold day in January embarked on the historic trip to their new home. God was indeed faithful to his word; during the previous year, the church membership increased to over 600 active members. He became a "Pentecostal Trailblazer" in San Antonio: He was the first in that area to schedule a weekly church service on television, and served on many Civic Boards and championed many causes.

Once again, The Lord spoke to Bishop Ellis and commissioned him to build a cathedral of worship to accommodate his people. The new modern and renamed Greater Lincoln Park Temple Located at 937 West Magnolia in San Antonio stands as a memorial of the legacy left in that city by this great man of God. It is currently under the leadership of his son, Suffragan Bishop Jonathan D. Ellis.

He was elected by a large plurality vote as pastor of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park on December 6, 1995. Returning to Chicago, he has proven to be an anointed visionary evidenced by many souls that have been saved and blessings God has bestowed upon both he and his flock. There is no doubt that Bishop William A. Ellis’ steps have been ordered by the Lord and that this 13th child born to Elder and Mrs. Charles Ellis on September18, 1942 has come into the kingdom for such a time as this!