Pastor Jonathan Goff Sr.

I was born February 11, 1930 in Boyce, Louisiana and the oldest of ten children.  My twin brother David preceded me in death.  My parents Abb and Rosa Garrett Goff took me to Loyel Hill Baptist Church where I accepted Christ.   I moved to Houston in 1948 and united with Mt. Sinai Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend W. E. Walker.  I enlisted in the U. S. Army, serving in the Korean War.  After discharged, I enrolled in Texas Southern University’s Vocation and Industrial Education Department, attended the Systematic Bible Institute and the Southern Baptist Convention Theological Seminary Extension Department.   For over 55 years, I was a member of Independent Missionary Baptist Association of Texas and served as Chairman of the Evangelical Board for some ten years.  I traveled for many years, to many cities, representing my church (Mt. Sinai) as a delegate to District Associations, the State Congress and the National Baptist Convention.  Organized in 1993 by Dr. S. J. Gilbert, Sr., the Houston Baptist Ministers Conference appointed me as their Devotional Leader.  I appreciate the many awards, diplomas and certificates of merit I received.  I have taught Devotion in many churches.   I was also involved in Civil affairs.  For 12 years I served on the Advisory Committee of the West End Multi-Service Center.  As chairman of ACORN for many years, I was one of three delegates that represented Texas on the National Board.  For many years I was President of Whitney Terrace Community Club.  I acknowledged my call to Ministry in 1962 and was given a Certificate of License by the late Reverend W. E. Walker.  I was an Associate Minister of Mt. Sinai and was ordained by Reverend S. J. Gilbert, Sr.  In 1974, I was installed as Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, where I served for 36 years.  My grandfather was a Minster and I have two brothers that are Ministers/Pastors and a nephew.   On the 8th day of June 1957, I became the husband of Miss Velma Lee Baker.  We are proud parents of three children:  Veljona (C), Jonathan Jr. (Chip) and Valencia (D(Alphone); two grandchildren:  Ashley (Chankie(Nicholas) and Nikola (Nik - Nik); three great grandchildren Khye (Sky), Nicholas (Kong) and Zhyan (Fortrest)...these are nic names that I gave each.   Those I leave to remember my legacy are my siblings Susie Haywood, Jewel Lee (deceased), Florine Shortee, Pastor Abe (Earnestine), Donald (deceased), Bennie (Liddie), Pastor Johnny L. Sr. (Lucille); my aunt Mildred Jackson; my godson Nathaniel Jones, nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of friends.   This is just some things about Reverend Goff, who at the time of this formulation was 82 years and 10 months, so you can see there is much more that can be said about him, “you understand” don’t you?