Bishop Basil W. Wallace

Biography

Pastor Basil Wallace was born to Deacon and Deaconess John Wallace, a faithful Apostolic couple whom he loved dearly. He was raised in a healthy Christian home, where his parents stood firmly for the Apostolic heritage and encouraged their children to do the same.

At an early age, Brother Basil attended the Shiloh Apostolic Convention in Mount Prospect and heard the great woman of God, Bishop C.A. Walsh, preach on the subject “I Saw You Under the Fig Tree.” The message reached his heart and brought him to tears and conviction. He went to the altar that night and embraced Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. About two weeks later, he was baptized in the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord, and as he came up out of the water, God filled him with the Holy Ghost and fire. Since his baptism, he has not strayed from the path.

He became a faithful member of Mount Prospect Shiloh Apostolic Church under the leadership of his great mentor, Bishop Sigfie Johnson, whom he loved dearly. He was a young man of impeccable character who served as youth officer and began preaching the gospel at an early age. His pastor often called on him to preach during evangelistic outreaches, and he was very effective. Many souls were won to the Lord.

Brother Basil was a blessed child. While he was still young, and even before he was baptized, his father declared that he would be the minister of the family. The late Bishop Thomas Germaine, then Presiding Bishop of the Shiloh Apostolic Church of Jamaica, prophesied that he would be a great minister of the gospel after hearing him give a presentation as a young lad. Before migrating to Canada in 1973, he visited Cuffie Ridge Shiloh Apostolic Church and was asked to speak that Sunday morning. After the sermon, Bishop Bowerbank declared that he would be a great minister of the gospel if only he kept humble.

When Brother Basil told Bishop Johnson in 1973 that he was moving to Canada, Bishop Johnson replied, “It is not the will of God.” He could not accept that Brother Basil was leaving, because he loved him so much and wanted him to continue working alongside him in the ministry.

In April 1973, Brother Basil migrated to Canada and began attending Mount Zion Apostolic Church under the leadership of Elder C.O. Ricketts and Elder W.A. Hall. He was a burning fire for God and was loved and admired. Shortly after his arrival, he was chosen to join the choir, and he served with all his heart.

In early 1976, Brother Basil was chosen as youth president, an office he held for thirteen years. He was an effective leader, inspiring and full of motivation to build the kingdom of God. As he sought God for leadership and direction, many souls were baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost.

He served as Assistant Sunday School Superintendent and, in time, became the Superintendent. In this office, too, he was a source of inspiration. Many saints testified that they looked forward to Sunday School when he reviewed the lesson. One Sunday morning during his review, a lady was knocked down by the power of God and cried out for water baptism in the precious name of Jesus. He was also a motivating and inspirational choir director who brought the Mount Zion Apostolic Choir to a higher level.

He was later promoted to the office of Evangelist, and then to Minister.

Elder Wallace is a gifted minister who is considered an all-rounder, and all praise and glory go to God for His divine favour on his life. He served faithfully at Mount Zion Apostolic Church for over three decades. He attended Mount Zion Apostolic Bible College, where he also lectured, and received a Certificate in Theology from Parkersburg University of Biblical Studies.

In 2005, Elder Wallace sought the Lord for direction and established the Gospel Light Apostolic Church of Canada ministry. Through this ministry, we have seen many miracles: the mute have spoken, many have been healed of incurable diseases, plagues and addictions, and souls have been delivered from sin, baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost.

Pastor Wallace is a devoted and humble servant of God who loves God and is passionate about the things of God. He loves and cares for people and has a great passion for souls.

Pastor Wallace has been married for approximately 44 years to his lovely wife, Evangelist Lasmin Wallace, who is a great support to him in ministry. He is the proud father of two children, O’Neil and Charmaine, and the grandfather of three beautiful girls. He is also blessed with a wonderful church family at Gospel Light Apostolic Church.

Pastor Wallace never fails to speak of his love and appreciation for those who helped him become who he is today: the late Bishop Sigfie Johnson, the late Elder Stanley Johnson, the late Bishop C.O. Ricketts, the late Bishop Westin Hall, the late Elder L. Chambers, Bishop Z. McKenzie, Overseer, Bishop Stuart Smith, and all the other ministers and saints, near and far, who have been a source of inspiration and help to him.

All praise, glory and thanks be to the Almighty God!