Apostle Steward Stiles, Sr.

CELEBRATING THE LIFE, LOVE, LEGACY AND HOMEGOING OF

Apostle Dr. Steward Stiles, Sr.

Apostle Steward Stiles, Sr., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Noah and Viola Stiles on November 10, 1933, in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. His parents, baby brother, Noah Stiles, Jr. and one sister-in-law (Noah’s wife), Esther Stiles, preceded him in death.

The Stiles moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1937, where he was educated in the Saint Louis Public School System. He was an alumnus of Washington Tech. Afterwards, he served his country in the United States military in the Marine Corps. After his service, he also served in the National Guard.

In 1953 he was joined in holy matrimony to Lela E. Melton. Lady Lela E. Stiles preceded him in death in 1992 after 39 years of marriage. They were the proud parents to four children and one
grandchild, whom they raised as their own from birth. Three children preceded him in death: Gerald Lamar Stiles, Pamela Naomi Stiles, and Steward Stiles, Jr. The others are Phillip L. Stiles, Sr., and Selena R. Stiles (granddaughter) and two daughters-in-law, Cricket Stiles (Steward Stiles, Jr.) and Ilsa V. Christian-Stiles (Phillip L. Stiles, Sr.). Through the Stiles children, born unto them were 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren (one deceased). In addition, he leaves to cherish: his big brother, best friend, and hanging-out buddy, Deacon Lozell Stiles, Sr., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. From his life and inspiration, two sons, two nephews, one grandson, and one granddaughter are ministers of the Gospel (one deceased).

In 1960, at age 27, he was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost at the Lively Stone Church of God, St. Louis, Missouri, under the leadership of the late Bishop Phillip L. Scott. That same night he was called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On January 14, 1995, Apostle Stiles was joined in holy matrimony to Ms. Elizabeth A. Foster of St. Louis, Missouri, who brought her family and children into his life as a wonderfully blended family.

To that end, he gained a mother-in-law, Ethel Owens, a son, Billy D. Mitchell, who preceded him in death, a daughter, Marnia Foster, and six additional grandchildren. Elder Elizabeth Stiles was a wonderful addition to our family. She worked tirelessly and lovingly beside our father, Apostle Stiles, for 27 years.

MINISTRY

Apostle Stiles was an outstanding Teacher, Preacher, Leader, and Evangelist for 60 years. After  serving the Lord’s church faithfully under the late Bishop Phillip L. Scott, he was elevated to
First Assistant Pastor. Minister Steward Stiles, Sr., was ordained as an Elder in the Mid-Western District Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., in July 1965. In 1976, Elder Stiles earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Southern Bible Seminary, and in 1977 he earned a Master of Arts in Theology from the same college. In 1978, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration from St. Stephens Educational Bible College.
 

He served faithfully for 18 years under the late Bishop P.L. Scott until the Lord would call him into the pastorate. He was led by God to start a mission in his home teaching Bible classes on Saturday nights, which began March 22, 1980. This was undertaken with his late wife who worked relentlessly by his side until her transition in 1992. In April 1980, he launched his first broadcast, the “Showers of Blessing Broadcast.” In November 1980, the Lord blessed us to move to 8204 Page Avenue. The broadcast was then changed to the “New Jerusalem Temple Showers of Blessings Broadcast.” In the same month, Bishop Phillip L. Scott, Diocesan Bishop of the 12th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, installed him as Founding Pastor of the New Jerusalem Temple Church of God, Inc. In 1985, he was appointed to the Office of District Elder. In 1992 he authored a book entitled Eschatology, End-Time Revelations. The dissertation he submitted from the book earned him a PhD from Glad Tidings Bible College. In 1997, he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the International Bible College of St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1992, he was elevated and consecrated to the office of the Bishopric and seated with the General Board of Bishops of the International Bible Way Churches of Jesus Christ, Inc. In 2018, Bishop Steward Stiles, Sr., was elevated and consecrated as Apostle in the Lord’s Church by the “Laying on of Hands” of the Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle, the late Apostle Floyd. E Nelson, Sr., of the IBWCJC, Inc., where he served until sunset January 2022. In the last several years of his life, Apostle Stiles had the pleasure of serving at the City of Life Christian Church, where Pastor Joe Louis Middleton is the Senior Pastor. There, Pastor Middleton honored Apostle Stiles as an Apostolic Father of the Faith. At the City of Life, he continued to teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ while leading others by example of what it was to live holy and to serve faithfully. On Sunday morning, November 28, 2021, the last message he preached at the City of Life Church was entitled, “The Wells of Salvation.” He truly lived what he preached. Yes! Surely, after 60 years, Apostle Stiles’ record shows that he was a Profound Promoter of the gospel and a Prolific Defender of the faith! At 88 years of age, he leaves behind a legacy of being an Apostolic Father; for his life is “Time-Proven” and truly a “Champion of the Faith.” We will miss you, but we will see you again on the other side.

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