Howard Education Fund launched to honour the life and legacy of Bishop Dr. Shawn Howard

BY PAUL JUNOR

There was an incredible turnout of over 1,000 individuals on Saturday, September 23^rd, at Praise Cathedral Worship Centre in Mississauga to celebrate the legacy of Bishop Dr. Shawn Howard. The untimely passing of the: pastor, teacher, minister and bishop on Sunday August 26^th, 2023, left an indelible impression on those who knew him personally. There were many words of tributes from friends, loved ones, members of the clergy and family members who celebrated the immense legacy, incredible life and mission dedicated to fulfilling the spiritual call and divine purpose of his life as an ambassador and agent of God’s love. He was committed to spreading the love of God to everyone.

The celebration of Bishop Howard’s life opened with songs of praise and worship by Pastor Richard Brown of Kingsway Christian Centre in Toronto. The songs were celebratory in nature, emotionally riveting and spiritually uplifting. There was a moving musical selection by singer Londa Larmond, and it all reminded me of being in an evangelistic service where the worship team engaged in melodious rendition of many popular songs in an: upbeat, lively, rhythmic, exciting and empowering manner.

Bishop Dr. Kwame Gilbert (Pastor of Kitchener Church of God in Ontario) officiated the funeral. He skillfully introduced the different ministers and officials who gave special tributes to Bishop Shawn Howard. Many of the ministers knew him personally from his early days in the ministry and subsequent rise up the denominational ladder to the position of Bishop in the Church of God in Ontario (COGIO).

There were reflections from his cousin, Shane Holder. He states, “Shawn was an inspiration to us and a: caring, loving, compassionate, straight to the point individual.” There was the opening prayer by Bishop Nigel Ricketts. Tributes were expressed by Bishop Dr. Lennox Walker, the spiritual father of Shawn, Bishop George Peart and Dr. Canute Blake. Laura Wilson shared her time working with him at Yonge Street Mission in Toronto.

There was an informative obituary that was available on the New Haven Funeral Centre’s website: https://newhavenfuneralcentre.com highlighting Bishop Shawn’s life. It read, “He was a loving and devoted: husband, father, son, brother, uncle and cousin. Bishop Dr. Shawn will be greatly missed by his many extended family, fellow Ministers, Evanston Church of God congregation (Illinois), many affiliated church communities, and dear friends. The family appreciates all of your prayers and kind gestures during this very difficult time.”

Dr. Shawn became a licensed minister at age 25 years of age and wrote his exhorter on August 19^th ,2002. He was ordained on May 23^rd, 2007, and became a Bishop five years later on June 3^rd, 2013. He co-founded and was the lead pastor of Life Changers Church, which he led from September 2007 to May 2022. “Love God, Love People, and Love the World,” was the motto of the church. He later became the lead pastor of Evanston Church Of God in Illinois in May 2022. He experienced a double stroke in 2020 but recuperated.

His home subsequently experienced a devastating fire, which destroyed most of his material possessions. In spite of these unfortunate circumstances, his faith did not waver, and he continued to trust God.

There were deeply emotionally and touching reflections from his children: Jordan, Caleb and Malachi and his wife Caleen. Jordan described him as the best father in the world and a great role model. Caleb mentioned the word, “Apricity” as a fitting description meaning, “The warmth of the sun and winter.” Jordan describes what it means to be personally connected to her father. Caleen states that he lived life to the fullest and loved people along the way.