About Bishop Douglas
Bishop Eustace Douglas was born in Clarendon, Jamaica West Indies he was the youngest of five children. After completing school he relocated to Kingston, where he found and accepted the Lord as his personal Savior at the age of 23 years old. Being zealous for the Lord, he immediately got baptized and started sharing the Word of God with others.
About six months after he got saved, although he was preaching to others, he wanted to do more so he started a Sunday School in Rockford, where he was able to reach the younger generation.
He started working at the Norman Manley International Airport transporting tourists. With his eagerness and desire to know the Lord more, he can attend prayer meetings at noon daily. That was truly an uplifting time in his spiritual growth because the Holy Spirit had full control of the church.
In 1969 Bishop Douglas had the opportunity to visit Toronto, Canada which he gladly accepted. Upon his arrival in Canada Bishop Douglas was a little taken back with the difference in the weather, but of course that did not stop him from accepting an invitation to visit a church that same day. His visit to the church was quite overwhelming when he arrived and found that the congregation was consisted of primarily Jamaican. That made him very happy to see his country's people worshiping together. It was a small congregation of approximately twenty-five members; however after about two years they were able to purchase a building and Alton Street Church of God was born. This became the third Church Of God in the Taranto area.
Before Bishop Douglas left Jamaica in 1969, he met the love of his life, Iris Douglas and although he left the country, he continued to correspond with her. In July of 1972 she joined him in Canada and they got married.
He and his wife continued worshiping with the congregation; however, Bishop Douglas became a little uncomfortable with their form of worship and did not want to take membership. However, he was encouraged to discuss his problem with the pastor, and after doing so he decided to become a member. Upon his becoming a member he was appointed as the Men’s Fellows president and the Evangelism director. With his new responsibility, he started having open-air services in the parks and started a tract ministry which increased the church membership. That was the beginning of Bishop Douglas ministry.
His ministry with his wife Evangelist Iris Douglas spanned over many years from Canada, to Pennsylvania, New Jersey and finally in West Palm Beach Florida.
Joy of Living Church of God was founded in 1989 by Bishop Eustace and Evangelist Iris Douglas. The original church home of Joy of Living was at 5400 Southern Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The work started with eleven (11) members, however after a very short time they realize that the location was not convenient for a church; so then decided to look for a more appropriate location. Although they did not have much money, because they had just moved from New Jersey where they were the Pastor of another congregation; they went ahead by faith and look for a building. In 1991 with the help of a Real Estate Agent and the help from their brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bro. & Sis. Stewart, who believed in their vision, and loan then $10,000.00 without them having to sign any papers, Joy of Living moved into a building at 455 N Haverhill Road. The struggles have been rough and hard but they went ahead by faith because they knew that was what God wanted them to do. They got their confirmation at the beginning of this ministry. The week before they moved into this building, two Evangelists visited them from Fort Myers and told them that the Lord sent them to help. They said that they did not have a lot of time, however, they would do advertising for them and they got Pastor Douglas on the radio. In approximately two or three days Joy of Living was being advertised on the radio and Pastor Douglas started preaching on the radio where he continued for over three years.
In 2012 Joy of Living started constructing a new building which is attached to their current building. When this is completed, it will consist of a new sanctuary capable of accommodating 300 people, an after-school program, and a recreation area that you and your family can enjoy.
Joy of Living Church is committed to constructing a Christian Facility that accommodates its community's holistic development; ensuring a positive difference in the lives of children and youths so that they may accomplish their highest potential. Our primary goal is to provide accurate, spiritual teaching, and instruction, and propagate the good news of the gospel of the kingdom of God. We encourage all individuals to unite with us in this venture to fashion excellence and leadership. “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” Neh 4:6 Joy of Living has come this far by faith leaning on the Lord, and we are looking forward for better days ahead.