James C. McDowell

Bishop James McDowell (73), former superintendent of the Heartland Conference of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC), passed away unexpectedly on July 17, 2015. A blood clot hit his heart a week after undergoing surgery on an arm.

James was born in Cherryvale, Kansas, to James Irvin and Goldie McDowell. Two children were in the family when James arrived. His parents each had a child by a previous marriage, so James joined a brother (Irvin) and sister (Lavon). Later his parents added his sister Greta to the family.

James described his parents as good people, though they never attended church. An aunt took him to Sunday school at a Fire-Baptized Holiness Church. During his mid-teens, he began attending the PH Church in Cherryvale and soon gave his heart to Christ.

In preparation for his calling to preach the gospel, James attended Southwestern College in Oklahoma City, where he met and married the love of his life, Thelma Crockell, on June 23, 1962. They were the proud parents of two sons, James Lawrence and William Cordell. James was an exemplary husband and a committed and loving father and grandfather.

Throughout their ministry, the McDowells became spiritual mentors to numerous church leaders. In fact, James became known as a “father to pastors.” At a JoySprings Retreat, prior to James' election as Conference Superintendent, Chuck Pierce (Glory of Zion Ministries) declared a prophecy to that effect over James.

James pastored churches in Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Three churches were planted under his ministry. James served as Conference Secretary and Christian Education (CE) Director in Texas for eight years and as CE Director in the Oklahoma Conference for six years. In 1994, he was elected Superintendent of the Oklahoma Conference, which merged with West Oklahoma to become the Heartland Conference in 1977. He served in that role and as member of the General Board of Administration for 12 years before retiring in June of 2006. He was also a member of the General Executive Board and the Board of Regents of Southwestern Christian University.

James loved to travel. Since retiring, he and Thelma have engaged in many RV trips, enjoying God’s creation in the USA. He was President of a Good Sam Camping Chapter, where he made many precious friends.

James is predeceased by his parents and one sister, Lavon Stevenson. He is survived by his wife Thelma; two sons, Jim and William, daughter-in-law Misti, daughter-in-love Darla; five grandchildren: Franchesca Anne, Lauryn Ashlea, James Duncan, Jesse Cordell, and Maximilian Kenyon (Max). He is also survived by one brother, Irvin Lee (Beulah) and one sister, Greta Sommers (Mike). Countless other relatives and friends grieve his passing.