Bishop James E. McKnight

Bishop James E. McKnight is a life-long resident of Gainesville, Florida. He has been married to Mother Jessie M. McKnight for over 48 years. They have three sons and one daughter. Bishop McKnight was born into the Church of God by Faith and became a full-pledged member in June 1953. 

In the Summer of 1956, he attended Leadership Training at a seminary school in Meridian, Mississippi. Bishop McKnight received training and became an ordained minister of the Church of God By Faith in 1957. He taught minister's training class in Ocala, Florida the following year. In 1999, Bishop McKnight received an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Inter-Faith Theological Institute and Seminary of Tampa, Florida. 

Bishop McKnight was appointed as Executive Secretary of the Church of God By Faith in 1960, and held that position until 1984.  He was appointed Assistant Bishop of The Church of God by Faith in August 1970, and held both positions until 1984. Bishop McKnight was appointed Presiding Bishop of The Churches of God By Faith, Inc. in 1984, and currently holds this position. 

Bishop McKnight has been pastor at Gainesville Church of God by Faith since December 1961. Under his leadership, a new edifice was built in 1973, and renovated and expanded in 1990. Bishop McKnight is highly respected and well known as a "praying man" throughout the Gainesville community and the National Church of God By Faith.