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GRACIOUS GRAFX “Creative Designs, Innovative Results” www.GraciousGrafx.com info@GraciousGrafx.com 305.928.4439
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Program Menu History of Bishop Henry J. McKoy
LOGOS
McKoy’s Family Pictures The Vision Little Church Picture Collages
True Witness Florida Church History Greetings Departmental Greetings Henry J. McKoy Sr. & Albertha McKoy Scholarship Fund Advertisements
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Registration Quench & Greet Photo Shoots Doors Open & Guests Seated Welcome and Opening Remarks
PROGRAM
Prayer of Thanksgiving & Dinner Pastor E. Paul McKoy 25 Years “The Journey SlideShow” Past-Present-Future True Witness Youth Choir “The Lord Is My Shepherd” Special Presentation Words of Encouragement Bishop Llewelyn Mitchell True Witness Church New Jersey Guest Singer Tributes As Our Bishop Minister Oral Wilks, True Witness FL As Our Brother Missionary Evelyn Simmonds, United Church of Jesus Christ, Hollywood, FL As Our Neighbor Missionary Hyacinth Pryce Faith Tabernacle UPC Jamaica As Our Father Evangelist Ruth N McKoy-Lowery, Ohio As Our Friend Pastor Donald Wright Faith Apostolic Davie, Florida As Our Spiritual Pioneer Pastor S. Robert Stewart Pentecostal Tabernacle Miami, FL Special Presentation Pastor E. Paul & Sandra McKoy Closing Remarks Bishop Henry J. McKoy, SR True Witness Apostolic Church FL Praise Team Closing Prayer Elder L. Heron, El Bethel Apostolic Tampa, FL
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Salad Crisp Caesar Salad Fresh Rolls & Butter
DINNER MENU
Hors D’Oeuvres Cheese and Crackers Platter Swedish Meatballs Fruit Platter
Entrees Grilled Salmon with Beurre Blanc Sauce Chicken Marsala Sauteed with Mushroom Marsala Sauce Carving Station Hand Carved Beef Prime Rib Starch & Pasta Caribbean Style Rice & Beans Penne with Marinara Sauce Oven Roasted Potatoes Vegetables Vegetable Medley Children (12 & under) Chicken Tenders & French Fries Beverage Service Fresh Brewed Decaf Coffee Hot Teas Iced Teas Soda Juice Dessert Cheesecake Parfait
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ishop Henry John McKoy, Sr. was born in Little Kent, in the Dry Harbor Mountain of St. Ann on April 4, 1929 to Miss Elizabeth Campbell and Mr. Arthur George McKoy. Bishop’s life was marked for spiritual service from before his birth. His mother recalled having a dream where she was sanctioned to name the unborn baby “Henry” and that his life would be marked. His mother later married Mr. Leonard Saddler and Bishop grew up in a loving family, honoring Mr. Saddler, as his father. In 1943, Brother C. L. Redway came to Little Kent, now renamed French’s Run, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He started prayer meetings in the Saddler’s home. The
approval of God’s blessing was upon this ministry. The home was a small two room building but, each week the family would clear the second room so they could have services. In 1944, Brother Redway revitalized the witnessing ministry and a true revival began. On October 1, 1944 the first person from this witnessing was filled with the Holy Ghost. The next Sunday, the 8th day of October, 1944, Bishop McKoy was sweetly filled with the Holy Ghost with two other converts. From then, the
On October 28, 1944, seven souls, including Bishop and his parents, were baptized in Green Hill, the Pentecostal church then pastored by Bishop Walker. The group had to walk about 12 miles to the church in Green Hill for this momentous occasion as they did not have baptismal facilities in French’s Run. Green Hill Pentecostal church became their church away from home as
blessing of the Lord continued to pour out as both Bishop’s parents were also filled with the blessing of the Lord. Many others were blessed with the Holy Ghost and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Many who were sick received healing during this revival period.
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they would walk the many miles, rain or Assembly. One Sunday in 1960, Bishop was shine, to worship with the brethren there. invited by the new pastor of the church in Bamboo to preach. The pastor, Elder A. As the blessings of the Lord continued to S. Palmer encouraged him to attend the move in French’s Run, Bishop and other Bible school in Kingston. After completing brethren went all over the District of St. Ann, two years of Bible School at the United witnessing and spreading the gospel. Many Pentecostal Church Bible Institute, from souls got saved as they went from house to 1961-1963, at Wildman Street, Kingston, he house conducting prayer meetings. They carried on the work in French’s Run. On also held many open-air services, in their zeal March 10, 1963 Bishop was sent to Salem, to win more souls for Christ. As the months Runaway Bay, St. Ann to pastor the church turned into years, they continued their there. He was later ordained the pastor of journeying through the woods on Sunday the United Pentecostal church in Salem. mornings to Green Hill for services returning late in the night, often after midnight. During Bishop McKoy was a presbyter for the the week, they labored on their farm lands, United Pentecostal Church, overseeing yearning for Sunday when they would several churches. He traveled to these once again travel to Green Hill for services. churches, helping to encourage the pastors During revival meetings, they made the and brethren. Bishop had the pleasure of long journey to Green Hill, Monday through preaching in all fourteen parishes across Friday nights, returning home late at nights Jamaica. Ministers would often call upon to work in the fields each day. Inclement him to visit their churches whenever they had weather was no problem to the band of problems. They knew that without sharing enthusiastic believers. In those days they any information with him, Bishop could see fasted and prayed regularly, depending spiritually what was going on and that he on the Lord for healing and provision. would speak, “Thus Saith God!” Called the “Seeing eye prophet,” many people Over the years, they built several small would be afraid when Bishop expounded temporary buildings as places of worship. the word of God. Somehow, he could see Storms destroyed some but they would things hidden from the human eye and he rebuild as they labored for the Lord, and spoke with such authority. Bishop McKoy until they were able to build a permanent remained the pastor in Salem for almost 26 structure. As they continued to spread the years, until he and his family immigrated to gospel, they went down through the Hills the United States in 1987. to Bamboo, preaching the word of God. Out of this ministry, the United Church of The family first settled in Asbury Park, New Jesus, now the United Pentecostal Church Jersey, but later moved to Ft. Lauderdale. of Bamboo was born. When Pastor Redway Bishop kept in touch with Bishop Redway, went to pastor the church in Bamboo, the who was then the Senior Bishop of the ministry in French’s Run was then laid upon True Witness Apostolic Churches, based Bishop McKoy to carry on the work. in Paterson, New Jersey. Bishop Redway encouraged him to step out by faith and On September 30, 1959, Bishop married begin his own ministry. After working for Sister Albertha (Francis) McKoy, who was several years with his cousins, Bishop and later ordained an Evangelist of the United Evangelist George Taylor, in Hollywood, Pentecostal church and the True Witness FL he officially started the church in Ft.
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Lauderdale and became a part of the True Witness church ministries. The True Witness Apostolic Church Incorporated of Florida began in earnest in February 1992 and the present facility at 185 NW 30 Avenue, Pompano Beach, Florida was acquired in March 2000. To God be the glory, through it all, Bishop McKoy learned to trust totally in the Lord and his faithfulness was duly rewarded. Today, at the strong age of 88 years old, Bishop can proudly sit back and enjoy the blessings of the Lord as he handed the mantle of leadership to his son and daughter, Pastor and Evangelist E. Paul McKoy. Although his darling bride of 53 years, Mother Albertha McKoy, passed away in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on October 6, 2012, her memory is prominent and the role she played in helping to establish the True Witness Apostolic Church of Florida cannot be understated. Today, Bishop can enjoy the blessings of his eight children and many grand and great grandchildren, his many church family, and the amazing blessings of the Lord on his life. As he so lovingly states, he has so many children and grandchildren scattered all over the world. The dream his mother had before he was born, proved so true. His life has indeed been marked and God has been faithful! He has lived a life of service, dedicated to the work of the Lord and he has had the privilege of seeing the rewards of his labor. In Bishop’s words: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Yes, I have proven this to be true. Let us continue with the theme we started this journey: ‘With the anointing, together we must!’ Together we must work. Together we must continue to build. Together we will reap a heavenly reward if we remain faithful. When we look back
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where the Lord has brought us from and see where we are now, truly we have got much to praise God for. If it was not for the grace of God, where would we be today? What would our condition be? We would be so miserable, but God in His great mercies looked beyond our faults and saw our needs. Let us go forward, therefore, without wavering. Fight the good fight of faith and let us lay hold on eternal life whereunto we are called; and profess a good profession before many witnesses (1 Tim 6:12). And, remember our testimony. We will win the lost at any cost. To God be the glory. Great things He hath done!”
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McKoy Family Memories
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The Vision Habakuk 2:2 - And the Lord answered me and said. “Write the vision and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it. In December 2015, God provided a piece of land approx. 1 acre in measurement adjacent to our current place of worship. It took God’s divine order in allowing us to come up with $50,000 in three months for the down-payment to purchase this land on our terms. Our faithful saints, friends and well wishers of True Witness Apostolic Church is committed to this cause at hand. Week after week we see saints coming in with their commitment offerings. Our children are also active in saving their coins as they fill jars monthly and bring to the house of God for inclusion in this mission. We pray for overflow in this ministry as it is our earnest desire to build a Christ centered facility where our young and our elderly can benefit. We look forward to the day when a wing will be named after a female pioneer in this work, namely “Albertha McKoy”. She was a selfless quintessential female visionary behind this established work that continues to forge ahead with dedicated and youthful visionaries who are forecasting greater works ahead. Thank you in advance for your support thru monetary contributions and purposeful prayers.
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Little Church
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Church History
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he True Witness Apostolic Church Incorporated of Florida began in earnest in February 1992 when Bishop McKoy, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, decided to have prayer meetings in his home. He was joined by his family, the Dillon’s, the Boulden’s, the O’Sullivan’s, and the Millicent Thompson’s families. To God be the glory many of these family members are still strong, active members of the congregation today. Soon, we began having Sunday school and morning worship and as the spirit of the Lord illuminated the small living room, we earnestly sought the Lord for a place of worship. Bearing witness of the fruitfulness of this ministry, souls began receiving the Holy Ghost in the living room. We needed a bigger place of worship! One year later, in January 1993, the church moved into its first home at 4306 North State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida in the Oriole Shopping Center. The blessing of the Lord was overwhelming in this little building. God worked miraculously in our lives and many souls continued to be born into the kingdom. As we continued to multiply spiritually, we out grew our space and began aggressively searching for a larger home to house the work of God. In early summer 1999, we became even more concerned with our fundraising efforts. In March 2000, with the dedicated work of the brethren, we acquired our present facility here at 185 NW 30 Avenue, Pompano Beach, Florida. Working aggressively to complete construction on the building, we were able to move in soon thereafter. To God be the glory, through it all, we have learned to trust totally in God. As the members of this assembly are marching into the future, we believe without reservations that there is victory ahead. Many have seen the vision of the vast work that lays ahead of us here in Pompano Beach, FL. Continue to pray for us that God’s will be done in our lives as we reach out to the community, helping them to see that there is a God who delivers.
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To The Honorable
Bishop Henry J. McKoy, Sr, Daddy, Father, & Spiritual Guide 25 years at True Witness & 73 Years in ministry
Where do we begin, who can find a virtuous father? He is a spiritual guide to many, he is full of wisdom. Most importantly he loves the Lord!. Daddy has taught us through the years, no matter what the situation we must serve God with diligence. We can say we have seen Bishop live a Christ like life. God loved him so much that he would arrange his life to protect him, that’s how much God loves my dad. A few years ago, dad through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, saw it fit to give us an opportunity, to share in the leadership of this ministry. We have seen many pastors, teachers and leaders birthed in True Witness. Thank you Jesus! Many made it possible to celebrate with us today, we thank you! It is amazing to experience and learn the task that is assigned to pastoral leadership. A pastor, the undershepherd of the saints, has a special job, he has the job of overseeing the flock, he is tasked with steadfastly keeping in prayer and keeping in the word. It is not only important for a pastor to be a shepherd, but it is also vital that he acts like a shepherd. He must be a keen listener to the spirit of God. We also have to pastor the flock without losing our salvation. So, Dad, As we see you standing there behind the pulpit dear, we think back to all those wonderful sermons you have delivered. See, daddy there was a reason God saved your soul. He knew that serving him would be your ultimate goal. He saved you, so let there be no doubt, just look how you turned out! Please know that you mean so much to us, continue allowing us to see Jesus in you, because now in your footsteps we trod!! We also know in following your goodly and Godly examples, we are following God! God Bless you Bishop McKoy/Daddy/Grandfather, while we shower you with the roses and the plants you so deserve! Thanks for “PAVING” the way for US! From Pastor E. Paul McKoy & Family
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The Henry & Albertha McKoy Scholarship Fund Honoring Mother Albertha Francis McKoy July 3, 1938-October 6, 2012
“A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised” (Prov. 31:30)
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ur beautiful beloved mother, Evangelist Albertha McKoy, was a wonderful wife to Bishop H. J. McKoy, an extraordinary mother, grand and great grandmother, church mother and friend. An unwavering soldier of the gospel, Mother McKoy lived a remarkable life that epitomized the walk of a true Christian. She was the quintessential Godly mother who worked hard and served others; the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 who never did anything by half measure. Mother McKoy lived a life of service to her family, church and community and her unforgettable memoir is emblazoned in the True Witness Apostolic and Pentecostal communities at large. Her legacy will continue to bless many in the future. Though we miss her presence, smile, and sharp wit, we take comfort in knowing that she is at rest. Mother Albertha McKoy, a virtuous mother and woman of God, has gone on home to be with the Lord. We miss her physical presence with us but we are happy that her pains and sufferings are over. We shall see her someday if we too remain faithful! Her beautiful memories continue to soothe our saddened hearts.
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Because of Bishop & Mother McKoy’s life of service and their desire to see young people reach their fullest potential, a scholarship fund was established in their honor at Florida Atlantic University. The “Henry & Albertha McKoy Scholarship,” established in the FAU College of Education in 2012, is intended to help alleviate the financial burden for young people of Jamaican, and other Caribbean islands, descent to earn a degree at Florida Atlantic University. Contributions can be made to: “The True Witness Apostolic Church”
“Excellence is the Result of Caring more than others think is Wise, Risking more than others think is Safe, Dreaming more than others think is Practical, and Expecting more than others think is Possible.” - Ronnie Oldham
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Please join us for Dynamic Worship as follows
SUNDAYS
Prayer Sunday School Midday Worship Evening Service
9:30 am 10:30 am 11:45 am 7:30 pm
WEDNESDAY
Bible Study
FRIDAYS
Youth Ministry
7:30 pm
7:30 pm
CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB AT
www.truewitnessfl.org
ADDRESS 185 Northwest 30th Avenue Pompano Beach, Florida 33069 954.984.9795
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