WE GROW DISCIPLES

Brief Biography of Pastor David Reynold Harewood

1957 to Present

Pastor David Reynold Harewood was born in St. Philip, Barbados in the West Indies in 1957. He is the son of an Evangelist, and although the Lord called His father home before David was born, he was raised to fear and reverence of the Lord.

Pastor Harewood received Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of twelve, and became involved in the youth ministry at his local assembly. In 1974, young David moved to Montreal, Canada. He found a church home at Bibleway church, and continued to serve in the ministry under the leadership of Pastor Sinclair Knights and later under Pastor Horace Thompson.

In 1976 Pastor Harewood met the former Esther Hernandez, and they were married in November 1977. From this union was born four daughters and one son. Pastor Harewood was appointed to oversee the Missions Ministry; he was also lead to start a community Children’s church.

In 1999 Pastor Harewood was approached by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada to be the interim pastor at Bethel Life Pentecostal Church in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Pastor Harewood agreed to go, even though the ministry was thriving and growing at Bible-way under his leadership, where he was now an associate pastor.

Each Sunday the Harewood family made the hour and a half trip from Montreal to South Bolton. After much prayer, Pastor Harewood accepted the Pastorate at what is now known as Bethel Life Centre full time, and he and his family relocated to the Eastern Townships. He was and still is the only Pastor of African-Caribbean descent in the Eastern Townships.

On June 26^th, 2000, tragedy struck the Harewood household. While riding his bicycle on the road outside of their home, a speeding truck driver struck and killed Jonathan, the youngest of the Harewood children. Jonathan had told his father that he wanted to be like him and wanted his life to be for a purpose. His words were prophetic. In a community that was reluctant to embrace a black family, neighbors rallied behind the family in their time of loss and grief. Their friends from Bible-way and neighbors in the community, encouraged the family to press forward and Pastor Harewood continued to minister. To this day, a four-way traffic light shines as a beacon and a reminder of the sacrifices the Harewoods have made in order to serve in an area where no one wanted to minister. Then on June 16^th2005, Esther Harewood, David’s wife of 28 years succumbed to bone cancer and was called home to be with the Lord. Even through this, the Pastor continued to preach the Gospel and reach out to the lost and back-slider.

In 2007, Pastor Harewood met the former Melveeta Grooms of Philadelphia, PA. After a brief courtship, the two were united in Holy Matrimony on January 11^th2008, and now minister together as co-pastors at Bethel Life Centre.

On June 26, 2010 Pastor David R. Harewood was consecrated to the Holy Office of Bishop in the Lord's Church in the Abundant Life International Fellowship Inc., by the hands of Bishop W. Anthony Bright, Bishop Ivory Stafford, and Bishop Donald Ashlock.

In October 2010, being led of the Holy Spirit, Bishops David & Melveeta Harewood sought and were granted release from the Abundant Life International Fellowship, Inc. to initiate the Bethel Life International Fellowship, which was created to be a ministry where members of the clergy could fellowship, receive spiritual covering, leadership training, ministry and guidance. We have, by God’s grace, also developed a program whereby those called to ministry can study, be trained and credentialed by the Fellowship. Three training conferences/seminars are held annually, with the Holy Convocation being held every October.

The first annual Holy Convocation of BLIF was held October 2010 and at that time, Bishop David R. Harewood was installed as the Presiding Bishop of B.L.I.F. and Bishop Melveeta Harewood was installed as Assistant Presiding Bishop and General Secretary.

Bishop Melveeta A. Grooms Harewood, D.D.
Assistant Presiding Bishop and General Secretary

Bethel Life International Fellowship

Pastor, Bethel Life Centre

Founder and Director, Pearls of Wisdom International Women’s Ministry

Melveeta received the call to ministry in 1998, and submitted totally to ministry in March 2002. She received the right-hand of fellowship at the Pentecostal Bridegroom Temple Church in Philadelphia and was trained under the leadership of Bishop Ronald L. Young (P.A.W) who continues to be her mentor and spiritual father in the Gospel. While attending Pentecostal Bridegroom Temple she served in the choir both as a singer, and the treasurer. She was appointed to the Women’s Ministry as assistant director, and was later promoted to the Director’s position. She also served as the Director of the Outreach Ministry, assisted in the New Birth Ministry, and was a member of the Bishop’s Core Group.

Bishop Harewood has always been very active in service to the Body of Christ. Melveeta received local licensing in 2003 at the Greater Pennsylvania State Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. As a member of the Greater Pennsylvania State Council, Melveeta served as the interim secretary for the Women’s Ministry, Assistant Director of the Women’s Outreach, was a member of Altar Workers Ministry, and was the Assistant to the Bishop of the State Outreach Ministry. Bishop Harewood attended Aenon Bible College of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. through their distance learning program, and in June 2006, she was appointed to the office of Evangelist and received her license from the P.A. of W., Inc.

In April 2007 the Lord led Pastor David R. Harewood to find his “good thing” (Proverbs 18:22) The two were joined in Holy Matrimony in January 2008 and Melveeta joined her husband in ministry at Bethel Life Centre in Quebec, Canada.

Melveeta was consecrated and ordained on June 27^th 2008 by the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.

On June 26, 2010 Melveeta and husband were appointed and consecrated to the Holy Office of Bishop in the Lord's Church in the Abundant Life International Fellowship Inc., by the hands of Bishop W. Anthony Bright, Bishop Ivory Stafford, and Bishop Donald Ashlock. At that time she also received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree.

In October 2010, being led of the Holy Spirit, Bishops David & Melveeta sought and were granted release from the Abundant Life International Fellowship, Inc. to initiate the Bethel Life International Fellowship®. .

In April 2012 Bishop Harewood founded the Pearls of Wisdom International Women’s Ministry, a multi-cultural, inter-denominational outreach ministry. Bishop is also active in radio ministry. As part of the B.L.I.F. Network, she hosts a weekly broadcast; “Jewels of the Kingdom”, and co-hosts a weekly Bible Study discussion “Let’s Talk About Jesus” with her husband on Blog Talk Radio.

The Bishops Harewood have recently launched an online church: Bethel Life Church Online with the goal of reaching the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to minister to those who may not be able to attend a house of worship.

To God be the glory!