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Bishop James Z. Townsend, a native of Mcgee, Arkansas, was born to Newt and James Anna Townsend on December 3, 1943. He was brought up in church. His mother and father always took him and his brothers and sisters to church.

On March 26, 1973, Bishop Townsend was baptized in Jesus Name and was filled with the Holy Ghost at Mt. Zion Apostolic Church under the leadership of the late Bishop James O. Franklin. Bishop Townsend was a faithful member. He was a Sunday school teacher, assistant Sunday school superintendent, assistant young people chairman, devotional leader, praise leader and worked in the kitchen.

Bishop Townsend started preaching in 1977. In 1985, Mount Bethel Apostolic Faith Church was organized. The first service was held in the basement of Deacon and Sis. Willie Goudeau; the next couple of Sundays, the service was held in the living room and dining room of Bishop and Sis. Townsend. The next few weeks, the church moved in a school room on 34th and Emerson. We stayed there until the classroom was full. In 1987, we moved to 2502 Sangster. The Lord had blessed us so that we could purchase a church building. We stayed there until 2000, and the Lord blessed us again and we purchased the GateWay Baptist at 2120 N. Pasadena Street.

Bishop Townsend is the husband of First Lady Bessie Townsend. They have been married for 38 years. They have 3 sons and 9 grandchildren. Bishop Townsend and First Lady Townsend are dedicated in their work for the Lord. They are working to their fullest potential to make sure God's work and His will be done in their lives.

Sister Bessie Townsend is a native of West Point, Mississippi. She was born on April 9th to the late Leone and Johnnie B. Jamison. As a little girl, Sister Townsend was brought up in church along with her five brothers and one sister. In 1963, she moved to Indianapolis, IN.

On April 1, 1973, Sister Townsend was baptized in Jesus name and filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost at Mt. Zion Apostolic Faith Church. She was under the leadership of the late Bishop James O. Franklin. Sister Townsend was a faithful and dedicated member. She was the Sunday School Secretary, usher, sang in the choir, worked in the kitchen and was an altar worker.

In March, 1985, Sister Townsend worked faithfully with her husband as he organized Mount Bethel Apostolic Church. When the church started, she was the President of the Choir, President of the Missionaries, church secretary and a Sunday School Teacher.

Sister Townsend is a loving First Lady and mother to the saints of God.