'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants' Psalm 116:15
It is with a profound sense of both sadness and thankfulness that we announce the passing of Bishop Dr Joshua E. Brooks Presiding Bishop of Mount Peniel Apostolic Church.
He died peacefully at home on the morning of Thursday 29 October 2020, after a short illness. Our Father transitioned into Glory, in the presence of his wife of 62 years Mother Catherine Brooks and one of his daughters.
As he looked back over his life as a Father and Pastor, his last words to so many were, “I am making up my Jewels.”
During his Ministerial life he served in church leadership within several Apostolic Ministries including First United Church of Jesus Christ, Church of God In Christ Jesus Apostolic (Beulah), Rehoboth Bethel Church Apostolic and finally Mount Peniel Apostolic Church which he founded in 1986.
We cannot begin to express how grateful we are to God for all that he meant to us; He has left with us a great legacy, he also instilled discipline, respect for family and a passion for God, His people and His work. He was a deeply loved husband, father, granddad, great granddad to us. His death leaves a great chasm in our lives but we are deeply comforted by the reality that he is now free from the restrictions of his physical body and that he is alive in the presence of His Saviour The Lord Jesus Christ for whom he lived passionately.
We take great comfort from one of his favourite Psalms 46;7 `The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge` and our shared Christian hope knowing that it is only a matter of time; before we will be united again. Of his fourteen children, he has several who have followed him into the Ministry of which there are Bishops, Pastors, Missionaries, Authors , Poets and other children and grandchildren that are Community Leaders, Builders, Entrepreneurs, Professional Sportsmen and Musicians. We would like to thank all who have prayed for us and supported us.
We are so grateful to the Mount Peniel Apostolic Church family for their love, support and prayers through this testing time. It has been moving in these past days, to receive letters and testimonials that speak of the place our father and Bishop holds in the lives of so many people. In this, we wonderfully glimpse how our Father was and remains a source of inspiration and strength. Being in ministry over half a century, a countless number of people will today picture Bishop Joshua E. Brooks preaching in the pulpit; they will recall the powerful witness of his healing prayers, his teaching, his wise counsel, humour, love for singing and music.
Due to Covid restrictions, a private burial attended by immediate family only, will take place in the next few weeks and will be broadcast internationally. We warmly invite all who would like to celebrate our Father’s life to join with us on social media for this special occasion (further details will be circulated shortly).
In the coming months, should The Lord tarry, we will be announcing a number of legacy initiatives in memory of Bishop Joshua E. Brooks` life and service in Ministry, as well as hosting a `Service of Thanksgiving`.
