Mother Jessie McKnight
She served as the first lady of the Church of God by Faith, Inc. for nearly 30 years. She is one of 12 children born to Deacon Essie and Mother Robbie Camps. She was saved at the age of 16 and has been a member of the Church of God by Faith for 58 years. As a youth, she was active in various departments of the Gainesville COGBF, including the WWC Department and singing in the choir. She recently celebrated 60 years of marriage to Emeritus Bishop James E. McKnight, Sr. and to this union, four children were born: Janice Phillips, James Jr., John, and Jonathan. Mother McKnight enjoys teaching children the ways of the Lord and working with the Vacation Bible School. She also teaches cooking and sewing classes to young ladies from various churches.
At the local level, Mother McKnight established a Women of Purpose Ministry for young girls and single women. She also established a Widows Outreach that addresses the needs of aging women county-wide. At the national level, her first role was as a National Assembly Sunday School instructor. She later believed it was essential for pastors and ministers wives to retreat outside the church from their stressful lives in the ministry. Other women such as Mother Cora Williams shared the same vision of a retreat. Consequently, Mother McKnight presented the idea to the Executive Council and it was approved. The first annual Women's Retreat was held in 1996 and continues still. Mother McKnight also organized two national choirs. The Pastors Wives Choir had its inaugural performance at the 1998 Assembly and the Deacons Wives Choir was launched in the year of 2000.
Mother Maxine J. Robinson
She was born in Yulee, FL to Charlie and Ophelia Jacobs. She was raised and attended school in the Yulee and Jacksonville, FL area. She was saved at the age of 13 and married at the age of 15 to Ruling Elder John Robinson, Jr. in 1954. Seven children were born to that union: Allen, Sharon, Bonnie, Danny, Gary, Janice and John, III. Mother Robinson was the devoted first lady of the Learn of Me (LOM) COGBF, Ft. Pierce as well as the East Coast District where she served for 49 years. She also serves as the chairperson of the Women of Excellence; co-chairperson of the Food Committee, Church Mother, teacher and missionary with the Ministry of Helps and Sick and Shut-in committee.
On the national level, she is the president of the Helping Hands Ministry which raises funds to assist the elderly mothers of the COGBF, Inc. She continues to serve on the FECD as the district leading lady emeritus, District Women’s Council, district mother and advisor to the District Food Committee. Her home church remains the Lean on Me church in Fort Pierce, FL and her work for the Lord continues. Mother Maxine J. Robinson remains a national Church of God by Faith treasure.
Mother Vivian Althea Virginia Emmons Brown
She is the daughter of Mr. Elijah and Patience Hunnicutt Emmons from Daytona Beach, Florida. She accepted Christ at the tender age of 13-years old. On October 26, 1947, she married Ruling Elder Theodore Brown, Sr. and eight children were born to that union: Marilyn, Theodore, Carl, Cynthia and Brent are deceased; Michael, Lorraine and Kathy are still carrying on the work of the Lord.
At the local level, she held many offices including, Burial League secretary, adult Sunday School teacher, president Home Mission, Adult Choir member and mother of the church. She also served as the devoted first lady of the following churches: Little Rock in Tampa, Lake Wales, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Easton, PA, Rochester, NY at Atlantic Ave. and the Newark, NJ Church of God by Faiths.On the national level, she was the president of the Home Mission and has served as a National Leading Lady for nearly fifty years. Mother Vivian Brown is still attending church on the Northeastern District and is a devoted member of the Newark, NJ church. Her life, commitment and service is still cherished by us all.
The Late Mother Ruth Coley Rourk
She was born in Dublin, GA and at an early age, her family moved to Durham, NC. It was on the glorious day of March 25, 1951 that she received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She attended the Church of God and later became a member.A while later, her family relocated to Rochester, New York where she joined the COGBF on Troup Street. Her mother, Missionary Leola Coley was a major influence in her life and spiritual growth along with Elder E. J. Lewis, Elder Eugene Kemp, Elder D.L. Smith and many others. While residing in Rochester, NY, she met and married Ruling Elder David C. Rourk. From this loving union of 55 years, she became the mother of four children: Cheryl, Sonya, Karen and Chris.
Mother Rourk worked and supported her husband for 44- years in the vision God has given him for the ministry and leadership in this Great Body. In addition to her role as first lady of Greater Adams Street, she actively served as one of the National Leading Ladies, and the emeritus Northwestern New York District first lady. Sheserved in many capacities including the assistant district missionary president and was a Sunday school teacher. She was an usher, choir member and also served as the District Missionary Department secretary. She founded the Ladies in Fellowship Together (LIFT) as well as the NWNY District Minster’s wives auxiliary. She organized the Missionary Choir and founded, The Angels of Faith, Adams Street Hospitality and Greeter ministries. She is noted for coordinating the care of the edifice as well as maintains a phenomenal card ministry. Mother Rourk believed in the value of loving people and the COGBF truly loves her.