The Honorable Bishop James E. Tyson

& First Lady, Dr. Ruth Ann Tyson

At the age of 16, James left Johnstown and ventured to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There, while staying with relatives, he worked days in the shipyards while enrolled in radio school at night. James' inventiveness and technical aptitude surfaced during this period of his life. In time, he became one of the top students in his class. It was during this period that his well-known ability to articulate intelligently on just about any subject was developed. This ability came to bear early in his life with his deep yearning to learn and his disciplined reading patterns.

World War II was raging when James turned 17. With vehement discouragement and dissatisfaction, his father relented and signed for James to enlist in the Navy. Bishop has said that even at the last moment his father attempted to dissuade him from enlisting, but "the wisdom" of his youth suggested that his father didn’t know what he was talking about. However, now, Bishop is quick and ready to admit with the shaking of his head, "It was the worst mistake of my life!" While in the Navy, Bishop served as a steward on such ships as the USS Lexington, USS Saratoga, and the APL37. By this time, his family had moved to Youngstown, Ohio. While on leave there, at the end of the war, one of his brothers mentioned the name of a young lady, whose name was Evelyn Haynesworth. However, because he wasn't saved at the time, Evelyn insisted that their relationship could not continue unless he accepted the Lord in his life.

In September 1946, James was baptized with the Holy Ghost in Youngstown. Under the pastorate of the late Bishop Raymond L. Robinson, James and Evelyn were united in marriage on June 18, 1948, and to this union five exceptionally gifted children were born: James Lavern, Ira Kathleen, Lawrence Craig, Lisa Ann and Cleophus Shawn.

In 1947, James was called to the ministry. He has had a long and storied career. Beginning with his serving as a lay minister, Bishop moved through the ranks as an assistant pastor under Bishop R.L. Robinson and has pastored five assemblies including his current charge: Bethel Apostolic Church (Canton, OH); First Pentecostal Church (Leavenworth, KS); Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Church (Youngstown, OH); and Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Assembly (Indianapolis, IN). Bishop was also chosen to serve the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. as diocesan of the Oklahoma State Council, the Iowa/Nebraska State Council, the Montana and Dakotas Council, and is currently serving as diocesan of the Fourth Episcopal District (Indiana).

In 1980, the Christ Church family suffered a great loss when Sis. Evelyn Haynesworth-Tyson was called home to be with the Lord. She is still greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

In 1981, Bishop Tyson was joined in marriage to the former Betty Jane Showell. As a team, Bishop and Dr. Betty accomplished many great things for kingdom building, including the erection of the new Christ Church $3-million edifice. However, in 1996, the Christ Church family experienced another great loss at the passing of Dr. Betty Showell-Tyson. Dr. Tyson is also greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

Bishop Tyson has always affirmed that God's people should not only have salvation but also education. And to go with that legacy of being a great preacher of God's Word are just a few of Bishop's educational accomplishments: BA., B.Th., and MA, from Indiana Christian University - Indianapolis; honorary doctorate degree from Aenon Bible College - Indianapolis, IN. He also attended Malone College (Canton, OH) and Youngstown State University (Youngstown, OH).

In 1997, Bishop Tyson married Ruth Ann Johnson Robinson of New York. Her daughter, Rachel, is now their daughter, and a 2001 graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis. Bishop and First Lady Tyson are together working to build God's Kingdom and win souls for Him.