- Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date
- Bishop Melvin Powell was born in 1932 in the Jamaica Parish of St Elizabeth
- He became a Christian in his teens and was ordained as a minister in 1948
- He immigrated to England in 1961.
- He co-founded and jointly led the New Testament Assembly alongside his friend and colleague Bishop Donald Bernard for over 45 years. Their leadership partnership was renowned and respected throughout the black Christian community because they were example of united Christian leadership.
- Aside from his work in establishing the New Testament Assembly, Bishop Powell was a great supporter of humanitarian work in Africa and Asia
His Story …
The Rt Revd Melvin Lea Powell, co-founder of one of Britain’s most influential and respected black Pentecostal denominations, the New Testament Assembly –England died peacefully on Wednesday 4th November aged 77. Bishop Powell served as International Presiding Bishop of the New Testament Assembly until August 2009
Jamaican born Powell arrived in the UK in Spring 1961 and was amongst the thousands of first generation West Indians who immigrated to the UK during the 1950s and 1960s. Desirous to provide a spiritual home for the many black people that had settled in the UK, Bishop Powell worked alongside his friend and colleague Bishop Donald Bernard and planted the first ever branch of the New Testament Assembly in Streatham, south London in August 1961.
From its inauspicious beginnings in 1961 The New Testament Assembly (NTA) has become a leading black Pentecostal denomination with several branches in the UK, as well as churches in Ghana, South Africa, the USA, Canada, Jamaica, India, Singapore and Malaya, and is well respected for its ecumenical work dating back to the 1970’s.
The NTA is a denomination that is renowned for its charitable work and community initiatives. In 1984 Bishop Powell and his wife Rose established the Tooting Neighbourhood Centre which provides services a range of service for the local community. These services include home care provisions for the elderly and support for the mentally ill.
Bishop Powell also worked tirelessly alongside the late Philip Mohabir in the early 80’s to establish the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA), an organisation set up to foster greater unity amongst Britain’s then burgeoning black church movement and build bridges between the black and white Christian community. Bishop Powell remained a President of ACEA until his death.
His last major piece of work was the revision of the Organisation’s handbook which was also published in August 2009.
Responding to his death Rev Nezlin Sterling, International General Secretary of the NTA said “We have lost one of the giants of the black majority churches. He sacrificially and prayerfully orchestrated his role as father, priest, mentor, and a friend of the friendless. His contribution to NTA internationally and the wider body of Christ is incalculable”.
Recently appointed International Presiding Bishop of NTA Rev Hugh Thomas said; “NTA and the world has lost an ambassador, torch bearer and a well loved leader. He is an irreplaceable jewel.”
Bishop David Greaves who currently leads the NTA in the United Kingdom stated, “Bishop Powell has left a great legacy which we will covet for the rest of our lives”.
Bishop Powell is survived by his wife of 53 years Rose, sons Martin, Delroy and Paul, daughters Roselee, Marcia, Alethea, 18 grandchildren and 2 great children.
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