Apostle Jelf Downie was born on the 2nd March 1937 in Sandy Bay Mount Pelier, Hanover, Jamaica. He was the youngest of five children. Apostle was brought up in a God fearing home and promised the Lord that if he brought him safely to England he would begin to serve him faithfully. This soon changed as he arrived in England in June 1961 and began to live and enjoy life. He was soon reminded by God of his agreement to give his life to him.
He began working at Turners Manufactory where he met Deacon Albert Nelson, who encouraged him to give his heart to the Lord. Deacon continued to invite him to various church meetings. In April 1971 he was baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and not many days hence received the Gift of the Holy Ghost at Refuge Temple London, Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In 1974 God showed him that he had a work for him to do, but because of his apparently short time in the faith, he was of a fearful heart and did not take heed to the call. In 1976 he was ordained Deacon. Whilst performing his role as a Deacon the Lord called him again and sent him to preach in the district of Wednesfield, St.Chads Church hall. Many doubted the call of the Lord upon his life and did not believe this to be true. It was said that “the baptism water did not even have time to dry of his back and he wanted to have church” As the Lord had promised to be with him he did not fold under the pressure. Even when he was visiting other churches they would often introduce him asking his congregation to stand which consisted of his family (which consisted of two adults and seven children aged 1-11years of age). God continued to bless the church in Wednesfield as promised, he remained in Wednesfield for 19 years.
In 1987 he was directed again by God to start a Sunday School in Walsall. The church was blessed; Sunday school children came from all over the area. Then in 1990 he began Pastoring in Hulme, Manchester. Four years later at the age of 57 he was ordained as Bishop; God had much work for him to do. God was blessing his ministry from strength to strength.
After many years of pursing a place of worship of their own and in December 1994 General Assembly purchased Mount Olive Apostolic Church, which was originally Little London Baptist Church, Temple Bar, Willenhall, in December 1994. The building had been left, abandoned and much work needed to be carried out before worship could commence there, but Bishop and the congregation were determined to restore the building even though funds were not available, they knew the Lord would provide. In 1995 the church was ready to be dedicated to the Lord.