He has received an OBE from the Queen for his community work – he was a founder member of Nehemiah Housing, which is the biggest social project started by a UK black Pentecostal church – and has supported numerous social action projects initiated by the COGOP, including educational charity Black Boys Can and RAFFA International Development Agency.
Bishop Powell is adamant churches should meet social needs. He said: “It is my opinion that the Gospel is holistic and touches all aspects of human life. From this vantage point the projects that are developed reflect this holistic aspect of life and new aspects of church.”
Bishop Powell was appointed National Overseer in 2000. It is work he enjoys, particularly as he’s helping put Christianity back in the public arena.
One of the things he has done is demonstrate church unity by forging strong links with the heads of the two largest black denomination here in the UK, Bishop Eric Brown, of the New Testament Church of God and Rev Agu Irwuku of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Bishop Powell believes united leadership is important. “It will give a powerful and unified voice that will influence the moral and spiritual direction of this country,” he says. “There are legislations, which will have far reaching consequences in the way our members project their faith in this society. It is important that our members see their leaders standing firm in our beliefs at this crucial time.”
It’s no surprise Bishop Powell became a church leader. He was born in Jamaica to committed Christians, and came to England during the latter part of his childhood. His father, Joseph N Powell, was a prominent COGOP minister, who led a congregation in Harlesden, north London, for many years.
