Apostle James A. Lyle, Sr.

APOSTLE JAMES A. LYLE was born July 13, 1945 to Thelma Lyle in Louisville, KY.  He is the second of three children; Emmanuel and Donna Lyle.  Apostle Lyle passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on November 22, 2019. 

He attended Middletown City Schools and he then went to attend college at Miami University – Middletown.  He was a very intelligent and avid reader, always reading the newspaper and having a historical collection of the National Geographic Magazines.  He loved his collection, but he was always studying the Word of God day and night.  Anytime you seen him, he was always extremely well groomed from head to toe.  He took pride in his appearance and made sure his wife as well.  He obtained employment at Armco, Frigidaire, and Delphi-General Motors of Dayton, OH from which he retired after 31 years.

In 1963, he met the love of his life, Lenita Simmons in high school and was married in 1968.  This union lasted over 51 years and produced four wonderful children; Nicolle, Shelley, Jimmy, and Jeremy.  He was an amazing father and husband, a great provider and always took his family on vacation and fishing trips.  He spent valuable time with his wife and children and made sure that they never wanted for anything.

He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1973 at the Isle of Patmos Holiness Tabernacle in Dayton, OH under the leadership of the late Bishop Lucy McGuffey.  He led the way as his wife soon followed and joined the church on Father’s Day.  He served in many areas and positions from Sunday School teacher to choir member, Church Elder, and Church Evangelist.  They soon became known as a ministry power couple serving at The Isle for nearly 20 years and evangelizing all over the tri-state area.

Following the unction of the Holy Ghost, Bishop Lucy McGuffey anointed and confirmed the call of God to the Pastorate, not knowing a few months later, God would call her home on April 27, 1992.  Finally, on November 4, 1992 they founded and launched Unity Tabernacle Full Gospel Church in Middletown, OH.  He was elected to the office of Bishop in 1998 and confirmed an Apostle in 2000.  Yet while pastoring, he continued to evangelize traveling across the county and to the Bahamas. 

From Unity Tabernacle, he covered ministries in Oklahoma, California, and Ohio.  He also released leader into the harvest in Phoenix, AZ; Tulsa, OK; and Dayton, OH.  In 2003, God shifted the ministry to Bakersfield, CA where they continued to minister up and down the west coast.  Apostle Lyle had a special love for music and kept and enormous musical collection.  He loved to sing and play the piano.  The anointing upon his voice and unique vocal ability had him in demand to sing his favorite song, “I Won’t Complain”, all over the country.

God had shown His continued love toward Apostle Lyle many times.  He healed him of poisoned tonsils, cellulitis, and cancer.  On top of that, God made sure he far surpassed the doctor’s prognosis after suffering two stokes.  He may have been bedridden, but he was still in his right mind, laughing, loving, and ministering an additional 12 years.  On June 15, 2014, Apostle James and Pastor Lenita Lyle joined Word of Deliverance Ministries for the World, Inc. under the leadership of Bishop Bobby and Dr. Valda Hilton.

For over 51 years, Pastor Lenita stood firm and ever faithfully devoted to her “James”.  Always telling him how much she loved him…thanked God from him...and thanked James for being the love of her life.  He always looked forward to a sucker and kiss from his “Nita”. 

We thank God for his life.  He will be missed as another soldier has went home to be with the Lord.  His mission has been fulfilled…he has met his destiny and left an indelible legacy.

Apostle Lyle was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Lyle; brother, Emmanuel Lyle; and sister, Donna Lyle.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Pastor Lenita Lyle and four children, Nicolle (Jeremy) Thompson, Shelley (Loyde) Kawalsingh, James A. (Doris ) Lyle, Jr, and Jeremy (Jacqueline) Lyle, 18 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren (whom always loved to call on and hug “Papu”), and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

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