The Journey of…

The Man…
Bishop James E. McKnight is a life-long resident of Gainesville, Florida. He and Mother Jessie have been married for over 53 years. They have three sons and one daughter. Bishop McKnight graduated from Lincoln High School in Gainesville, Florida. He later attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University where he earned a certificate to become a barber in the early 1950’s. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and received special training in the Intelligence Division while serving in the Korean War from 1951-1953.

When Bishop McKnight was born, his parents were members of Church of God by Faith (COGBF) and he made a spiritual connection with COGBF in 1953. Destined to follow in his father’s path, he attended a minister leadership training class in Meridian, Mississippi in the summer of 1956. After further Biblical instruction and a call from God to preach the Gospel, he became an ordained minister in 1957. By 1958, he was one of the instructors for the churches’ National Ministers Training class held in Ocala, Florida at the time.

The Mission…
Bishop McKnight is on a mission to move the church forward through a strategic plan that includes new church growth & development, ministerial & leadership training, and economic empowerment. Under his leadership, the new Church of God by Faith National Headquarters Office is currently being erected.

Bishop McKnight’s commitment to service in the City of Gainesville cannot go unmentioned. He has served as board member of the Eastside Clinic and Development Project as well as The Black on Black Crime Task Force for many years. When the residents of the former Kennedy Home Apartment Building were displaced by fire, Bishop McKnight was a force behind providing shelter to the residents. In March 2007, at a special ceremony, he was recognized as a distinguished leader in the Gainesville Community.

The Ministry…
Bishop McKnight served as assistant pastor at Hopewell COGBF from February 1957 until June 1957 when he was appointed to pastor Raleigh COGBF. In 1961 he was appointed to pastor Gainesville COGBF and Hawthorne COGBF. He then pastored Gainesville #1 and Gainesville #2 in 1963. In 1969, he returned to Raleigh COGBF and was pastor there and at Gainesville COGBF from 1969 – 1980. He has been the pastor of Gainesville COGBF for 46 years. Under Bishop McKnight’s leadership, Gainesville COGBF built a new edifice in 1973; then renovated and expanded it in 1990.

Having faithfully served COGBF in many capacities, Elder McKnight was selected Executive Secretary on December 25, 1960. In August 1970, he became assistant bishop and held both positions until 1984. In 1984, Bishop McKnight was favored to lead the national church organization as presiding prelate. He has been a member of the Executive Council, the governing branch of the church for nearly 47 years.

Bishop McKnight is highly respected and well known as a “praying man” throughout the Gainesville Community and Church of God by Faith, Inc. Being a member of the clergy, he cherishes the Word of God but most fervently has affection for the words of King David in Psalms 34, particularly verse four which reads, “I prayed to the Lord and he answered me.”

And the journey continues…

Highlights - December 2007 National Convention
The December 2007 National Convention was a historic event for Church of God by Faith, Inc. [Click here to continue...]