Bethel Begins / The founding bishops
Bishop Martin Howard Simmonds
From Nevis to Ipswich, a pioneer of multicultural ministry and the first Dean of Studies at the Bethel Institute of Biblical Studies. Chapter 13 of Bethel Begins, ‘A Man Ahead of His Times’, tells his story.
“Required reading for every member of our church.” Bishop Dexter E Edmund, Presiding Bishop
From the book
Bishop Martin H Simmonds was one of God's special servants, whose life was directed by the unseen hand of the LORD. Young Martin gave his life to the LORD aged just 15 years old in December 1951. He met Jesus in the Pilgrim Holiness Church.
In 1960 Martin arrived in England by plane. Initially, seeking a place to worship he connected with the Elim Pentecostal Church. Martin engaged in evangelism with an Englishman named Don Double; Don was the Evangelist and Martin was the Bible Teacher. When Don felt the Lord calling him to full time ministry, Martin became leader of the group. It was July 1961 that the first baptisms in Jesus' name took place, in the river Orwell. Nine out of ten souls baptised were white; in the UK, with racial prejudice running high, it was unheard of for a black leader to baptise so many white people.
He was a visionary, an entrepreneur, an educator, a counsellor, a father, and friend to many. Some of his firsts include creating and printing the Sunday School literature for Bethel, and being the first Dean of Studies for the Bethel Institute of Biblical Studies (1994-1999). He was the first of our UK Bishops to receive a master's degree. He served as Brotherhood Bishop, General Secretary, Youth Bishop, and in many other capacities.
Edited extract from chapter 13 of Bethel Begins: The Beginnings of Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic by Nicholas Myers.
Key facts
- Gave his life to the LordDecember 1951, aged 15, in the Pilgrim Holiness Church
- Baptised in Jesus' nameAround January 1955, at Lime Keel, Nevis
- Married Ethlyn Esdaille1957
- Arrived in England1960
- First baptisms in Jesus' name in IpswichJuly 1961, in the River Orwell
- First Dean of Studies, Bethel Institute of Biblical Studies1994 to 1999
- DiedMay 2019
- AutobiographyDriven By Purpose: Followed by Goodness & Mercy