SAD NEWS: Juanita Bynum Grieves Loss of Pastor & Spiritual Father, Apostle John H. Boyd, Sr.
Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 12:24PM 
Juanita Bynum poses with her late pastor and spiritual father Apostle John H. Boyd, Sr.
By EEW News Staff
Juanita Bynum is soliciting prayers today as she mourns the loss of her pastor of 28 years and dear spiritual father figure, Apostle John H. Boyd Sr. of New Greater Bethel Ministries. When Bynum heard the news of his passing yesterday, she was at Macy’s department store and “hit the ground” from the terrible shock of it all.
Though EEW Magazine does not have the specific details surrounding the death of the beloved leader (Our staff will make them available to you as we learn more.), sources that knew the relationship well between Bynum and Boyd confirm that they were like father and daughter.
Pictured Above: Apostle John H. Boyd, Sr. of New Greater Bethel MInistries in NYIn the wake of the news, Bynum has taken to the social networking site Twitter to air out her feelings through a series of anguish-filled tweets. She said:
Help me Lord. My pastor for 28 years today sits in the presence of God… crying… crying… MY GOD… numb. He was my dad...the only father I had left who knew the real me...before I preached for Bishop Jakes I was a flight attendant! He loved me the person, not the ministry!!! I was his daughter!!!!!!! Pray for me....I need it!!! My heart hit the ground in Macy's department store. I didn't even realize I had hit the floor...pray for me I need it!!!! Bad!!!!!! This was my dad.....crying....28 years the same pastor!!!! I love him and will miss him deeply. New York has a hole in it. However the hole in my heart today is bigger than the one in New York.....God has spoken !! Amen
Bynum lost her biological father in June 2008 in the middle of her difficult, public, and very painful divorce from ex-husband Bishop Thomas Weeks. In an interview with ESSENCE.com, Bynum describes a very personal and emotional conversation she had with her late dad.
With all that I'd been through, the world witnessed me endure 18 months of devastation. I literally died in that devastation. I remember sleeping in my bed for four days straight with no appetite and extremely depressed. My father asked me with a fierce anger, "What is your name?" And I said, "Juanita Bynum." And he said, "Don't you ever forget it; now get up!" I never stayed in my bed like that again.
He was my rock, because he was that real man that was tangible; that helped to reaffirm and validate myself again. When a man takes your femininity and womanhood and treats you like you're nothing more than trash it's devastating. Through it all my dad was there. When my divorce was finalized on a Friday, my father called and said, "I want you to fly to the top."
That following Monday he fell down dead in our kitchen from a heart attack.
Now Bynum is struggling to cope with another sudden loss. Our prayers are with the Boyd and Bynum family at this difficult time.
About Dr. John H. Boyd, Sr.
He was born July 17, 1926, in Bracey, Virginia, where he was raised on a farm. At the age of 16 he moved to New York City, graduating from George Washington High School. In 1944, Dr. Boyd was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he attained the rank of First Sergeant. After three years of service, he received an honorable discharge.
In 1945, he met Margie Jackson, and on August 16, of 1947 they were united in Holy Matrimony. From this union they were blessed with five children: Geri, Gail, John II, Rubina and Warren, all of whom are working full-time in the ministry.
Dr. Boyd served faithfully for 18 years under the leadership of Pastor Ernest Brown of Macedonia Church of Christ in Brooklyn, New York. During this time, he studied at the Manhattan Bible Institute and worked as a salesman and contractor. God dealt emphatically with him concerning full-time ministry. After much travailing and perseverance, he found his purpose: a vision of a Gospel Tent was conceived in his spirit.
With the blessing of Pastor Brown, Dr. Boyd entered the pastorship in 1972 and Boyd entered the pastorship in 1972 and opened the first Gospel Tent, giving birth to the New Greater Bethel Ministries. In September of the same year, "Little Bethel" became a reality located at 221st Street and Linden Boulevard, in Cambria Heights. On Easter Sunday 1975, Dr. Boyd led the congregation to their new home at 219-09 Linden Boulevard, which was the Old Cambria Heights Movie Theatre.
To this day the vision continues to be a driving force in the life of this remarkable man.
Dr. Boyd received his Doctor of Divinity degree from the United Christian College in Brooklyn. He has been cited many times for his compassion, commitment, and leadership. Among his awards are: a Citation of Honor from Queens Borough President Claire Shulman; recognition from former New York City Mayor, The Honorable David Dinkins; recognition from Presiding Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead, Joseph N. Mondello; and he has been cited by Radio Station WWRL for his out-standing leadership and outreach to the community.
Dr. Boyd was awarded the "Man of the Year" by The New York Christian Times, for his outstanding work in the State of New York and his outreach around the world. Both New York Newsday and The Daily News have honored him with a complete profile on him and his work at the New Greater Bethel Ministries, including the Lord's Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen. Dr. Boyd has received certificates of honor and special recognition from Superintendent Brian Fischer of the Queensboro Correctional Facility for his outstanding work with the Inmate Community Improvement Program.
In 1991 Dr. Boyd authored his first book, Coming Out of Your Grave Clothes, the first in a series he calls his "Coming Out" series. He is currently working on his second book, Coming Out of Your Cave.
Dr. Boyd's message of salvation and deliverance is seasoned with love.
Reader Comments (28)
So sorry to hear that. I will be praying for her.
When I lost my father I was devestated. I never had anyone who understood me the way he did. I know the pain she's feeling.
Stay strong Prophetess!!! God is with you and he is resting in the arms of Jesus now.
Thank you for covering this. He was a great man of God and will be sorely missed by his family. My prayers go out to Mother Boyd and the family. This is terribly dificult.
Just wanted to leave my condolences for the family of this anointed man. He has done a good work and has gone home to be with the Lord. He has moved on from labor to reward. Although he will be missed, he will never be forgotten and his reward is great in heaven.
When somebody dies close to you you always wish you had one more time to hold that person and tell them you love them. MY father wasn't saved when he died so that was extra hard. At least when someobdy you know loved God goes you know where they are going to. God bless the Boyds and Bynums
Isn't she a pastor? How was he still her pastor?
Wow sorry to hear that. God bless the family.
@Sunshine I think he was like her "spiritual covering" and yes she is a pastor at the Warehouse in Atlanta. But she stayed up under the Apostle as the head over her ministry. Every person needs some kind of covering even if they are a pastor
I never really understood all that "covering" and "spiritual father" stuff but that's just me. RIP
Another soldier has gone on to be with the Lord. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
That's too bad. She has been through hell and back over the last 5 years. May God strengthen
No to be insensitive but why is it necessary for people to pour out their soul on Twitter. Announcng the death and asking for prayer is good enough. Do we really need a long, drawn out diatribe though?
God touch the family and comfort them. Amen.
Sad
@Elise That WAS insensitive!! You can't tell somebody how they should grieve. If they are emotionally hurting, then they are entitled to get that pain out. Why do you have to be negative at a time like this? Ugh Have a seat!
You don't have to like my comment or opinion but it is MINE. @Gessie You have a seat!
Sometimes the people who read this site and comment crack me up. Y'all will fight about anything. How about we just pray for Juanita Bynum like she askd and quit lighting each other up in this online magazine?! #GetAlong
He was truly truly truly a blessed man of God. Everybody who got to know him loved him. He was no joke and didn't play no games but he loved the people of God, preached the word and told the truth. Apostle will be greatly miss
Lord, strengthen and comfort the Boyd Family, New Bethel Church Family, Prophetess Bynum & Family....carry them through this time of mourning and send peace. Jesus, cause them to continue the work that Apostle Boyd started and walk in the mantle and legacy of it, in Jesus Name. Amen