Beloved in Christ Jesus, as we celebrate the Work of James
McKeown this week, we feel obligated to compile some of the things we’ve heard
and read about him here for the sake of the younger generation. As you read about him, bear in mind that you will
give to support Missions, which happened to be what he was most passionate about.
EARLY LIFE
Rev. James Mckeown was born on September 12th,
1900, at Ballymena in Scotland to his Irish parents, William John Mckeown and
Elizabeth Thompson. He was brought up in a Christian home. He knew his Bible
and even liked the idea of becoming a minister when he grew up.
CONVERSION AND MARRIAGE
At the age of nineteen, he became converted through
the ministry of Rev. Robert Mercer.
Rev. George Jeffreys of the Elim Four Square Gospel
Alliance in Ballymena, baptized James and Sophia, who later became his wife. He
received his Holy Spirit baptism later.
Rev James Mckeown left school at the age of eleven.
Sophia however, got educated to the advanced age of nineteen and studied dressmaking
for two years becoming a fully qualified seamstress.
Rev. James assisted his father on the farm and
later became a tram driver, when an inspector on Glasgow ’s tram put James’
name forward.
He got married to Sophia Kennock, in 1927. Sophia was attracted to James because of his praying habit. She said, she never heard anyone prayer like that before.
He got married to Sophia Kennock, in 1927. Sophia was attracted to James because of his praying habit. She said, she never heard anyone prayer like that before.
CALL TO MINISTRY AND VISION
At an Elim meeting, at which both James and Sophia were present, there was a prophecy that someone from that group would go to Africa. Rev. James came into contact with the Apostolic whilst at Glasgow. At a large Apostolic convention in England, it was specifically prophesied that James and Sophia should go to West Africa as Missionaries. Both James and Sophia were not present at the convention. The executive finally informed him about the prophecy. However, like Moses, he looked into himself and realized his weaknesses. He refused the call chiefly because of his inadequate formal training.
Fifteen months went by before he accepted the call when he could no longer contain the persistent cries of Sophia, urging him to do so. James left the United Kingdom for the then Gold Coast on a boat in February 1937. On March 4th, 1937, Rev. James arrived in the then Gold Coast to begin work as resident missionary of the Apostolic Church of Bradford.
Rev. James Mckeown’s vision was to help establish the Church and announce the good news of God’s Kingdom and to be a living testimony to the people about the power of God.
At an Elim meeting, at which both James and Sophia were present, there was a prophecy that someone from that group would go to Africa. Rev. James came into contact with the Apostolic whilst at Glasgow. At a large Apostolic convention in England, it was specifically prophesied that James and Sophia should go to West Africa as Missionaries. Both James and Sophia were not present at the convention. The executive finally informed him about the prophecy. However, like Moses, he looked into himself and realized his weaknesses. He refused the call chiefly because of his inadequate formal training.
Fifteen months went by before he accepted the call when he could no longer contain the persistent cries of Sophia, urging him to do so. James left the United Kingdom for the then Gold Coast on a boat in February 1937. On March 4th, 1937, Rev. James arrived in the then Gold Coast to begin work as resident missionary of the Apostolic Church of Bradford.
Rev. James Mckeown’s vision was to help establish the Church and announce the good news of God’s Kingdom and to be a living testimony to the people about the power of God.
McKEOWN’S GOLD COAST
The Apostolic Missionary arrived at a time and period of profound social and political awareness, which was to pave the way for the independence of the Nation in 1957. During that time, formal education was at its infant stage. The progress of Christianity in the Gold Coast was also slow, with the greater proportion of her people worshipping idols.
Rev. James therefore began his full-gospel ministry within the setting of social and political tension on the other hand, and general spiritual darkness on the other. He plunged into action and worked tirelessly in towns and villages in the southern part of the Gold Coast winning thousands of converts who in turn witnessed to other people about Christ.
As a man of action, Rev. James personally took part in manual work undertaken by the Church. For example, he was actively involved in the construction of the first Mission house at Asamankese. Such display of humility and service characterized his ministry to the extent that the people among whom he worked emulated his example.
The Apostolic Missionary arrived at a time and period of profound social and political awareness, which was to pave the way for the independence of the Nation in 1957. During that time, formal education was at its infant stage. The progress of Christianity in the Gold Coast was also slow, with the greater proportion of her people worshipping idols.
Rev. James therefore began his full-gospel ministry within the setting of social and political tension on the other hand, and general spiritual darkness on the other. He plunged into action and worked tirelessly in towns and villages in the southern part of the Gold Coast winning thousands of converts who in turn witnessed to other people about Christ.
As a man of action, Rev. James personally took part in manual work undertaken by the Church. For example, he was actively involved in the construction of the first Mission house at Asamankese. Such display of humility and service characterized his ministry to the extent that the people among whom he worked emulated his example.
HOW PEOPLE SAW HIM
He lived as an African in very many ways. His meals
were, for that matter, locally prepared. Earlier in his ministry, when development
projects had not reached the rural areas, he drunk from the typical African
well dug out for him by the members. His ministry also involved extensive trekking
on foot and across streams and rivers.
He was an honest, gently, affable and respected man of God. As a condiment and skillful leader, he combined humility with firmness to nurture the Church of Pentecost to the height of success. By his wisdom granted by God, he chose a band of selfless disciples who pioneered the Church from hard times to the present glorious day. Rev. James always insisted on self-reliance as against soliciting for financial assistance from abroad.
In early 1982, Rev. James decided to hand over the mantle of leadership to an African minister. He explained that age was having a telling effect on him and that it was time he tired. So on the tenth of October 1982, he inducted into office, Rev. F. S. Sarfo (deceased). He later left the shores of the country for the U.K. from where he was fed with reports on the progress of the church. In 1984, Rev. James paid his last
visit to the country.
He was an honest, gently, affable and respected man of God. As a condiment and skillful leader, he combined humility with firmness to nurture the Church of Pentecost to the height of success. By his wisdom granted by God, he chose a band of selfless disciples who pioneered the Church from hard times to the present glorious day. Rev. James always insisted on self-reliance as against soliciting for financial assistance from abroad.
In early 1982, Rev. James decided to hand over the mantle of leadership to an African minister. He explained that age was having a telling effect on him and that it was time he tired. So on the tenth of October 1982, he inducted into office, Rev. F. S. Sarfo (deceased). He later left the shores of the country for the U.K. from where he was fed with reports on the progress of the church. In 1984, Rev. James paid his last
visit to the country.
FAMOUS QUOTES
1. "Prayer is the work, and
the work is prayer."
2. "The
seed that was sown and watered with much tears of prayer has borne
fruits. The big question now is
“Will the fruit remain” (He was contemplating on the future of the church)
3 “Stop
preaching rats; preach Christ!” (He was drawing a pastor/s attention to the
fact that he was overemphasizing an illustration with a rat story in his
preaching)
WHAT HIS CRITICS SAY
ABOUT HIM
Too harshToo inconsiderate
Trusted elders more than Pastors
Too swift in decision-making
WHAT HE HATED MOST
- Lazy ministers.
- Money-conscious pastors. (He used to call them greedy grabbers).
- Lying church officers, especially Elders.
- Pastors who engage in other works such as farming, etc at the expense of ministry
- Church members not being assisted to receive Holy Ghost Baptism.
PASTOR WILLIAM BOACHIE-ANSAH
THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST
P.O. BOX 10, NSAWKAW - B/A, GHANA
+233 244 137 880
copnsawkaw@yahoo.com
boachieansah@gmail.com
