02/20/2022
The next person we would like to highlight is Bishop Rupert Shirley Barrington Johnson, Sr. Please see this very condensed bio and head to our website to read his biography in totality.
Bishop Rupert Johnson was born on October 12, 1917 in Brownstown, St. Ann, Jamaica to Rudolph C. Johnson and Coseta Pastoria Brown-Gordon. After completing his education in Jamaica, he studied at Aenon Bible School in Florida. He was ordained an Elder by his pastor, Bishop Cole in Jamaica and a Bishop by Bishop Randolph A. Carr in 1962.
He married, Maisie Elizabeth Dandy, who gifted him with 2 children, Rudolph and Maisie. Tragically she passed onto glory in childbirth. Eight years later, he met and married Mae Adassa Henry who also gifted Bishop with 2 children, Debra and Rupert Jr. Mae passed onto glory in March of 2003.
Bishop pastored two assemblies in Jamaica one in St. Ann’s Bay and one in Kingston. In 1970, he was called to come to America to start a work in Neptune, New Jersey by Bishop R. A Carr. Upon his arrival, Bishop Carr passed away which ceased his assignment in Neptune. In 1972, several families asked him to start a work in Trenton, New Jersey and thus Rehoboth Pentecostal Church Apostolic was founded.
Bishop Johnson served in varying capacities including the Board of Bishops in Rehoboth Church of God in Christ, Apostolic. A few years after the passing of his second presider, Bishop William Samuel Barnes, Sr., Bishop Roan Faulkner, a spiritual son, re-introduced him to the Presider of the United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic), Bishop Monroe R Saunders Sr. Bishop instantly fell in love with his Spirit and admired him. Soon after in 1989, he made the decision to join UCJC, where he served as the Bishop for Christian Education, Sunday School, Women’s Department and the Diocesan for the NorthEastern District which is now the 2nd Episcopal Diocese.
Bishop Rupert SB Johnson Sr. loved anointed dancing, spiritual music in worship, and everyday laughter. He was a man of wisdom, compassion, joy, humility and love. His love for GOD’s children would flow like tears from his eyes as he would mourn with their sorrows and rejoice with their victories.