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Who was Zadock Daniels?

Zadock and Ethel Daniels


Zadock Athelstan Daniels, the fourth son and fifth child of Alexander and Jemima Daniels was born on November 26, 1912 and his wife of 50 years, Ethel May (Burgess) was born on August 9, 1911. After her passing, Edna May (Martin) was his wife until her passing in April 2007. He went home to Heaven on April 1, 2008.

For over seventy years he served the Lord in areas of teaching, shepherding and pastoring roles all Zadock Ethel May across the island of Jamaica and in the United States and Canada. He co-authored with Ken Price, Leaders in a Local Church published by Everyday Publications of Toronto, Canada.

It was said of him by his peers: "No other single individual to date among the known Christian Brethren in Jamaica has made such a comprehensive contribution in almost all facets of the Movement. It was his balanced knowledge of the Bible that gave him this vision and drove him to accomplish so much."

Zadock Daniels was instrumental in the formation of Christian Missions, Jamaica Ltd., and served as its chairman. This entity was erected to represent the Christian Brethren Movement before the country's regulatory bodies and to secure and distribute resources to the local churches as needs arose. They also held in trust the titles of the member churches as places of Christian worship and fellowship. He was also chairman of Christian Publications, Ltd that was founded in 1967. Its purpose was to serve as the literature arm of the member churches.


He was co-founder and chairman of BethSalem Christian Brethren Home for the Aged in 1974 and his wife, Ethel May, served as Chairperson of the Sisters Advisory Committee.


As the Chairman of the Assemblies Media Committee, he provided leadership and was instrumental in taking the gospel via the medium of radio broadcasts, when in 1963 "Food for Thought" went on the air as the first religious broadcast on the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation's radio station. This program later became "Stop and Think" and much later was called "Look at Life."


He was the organizer of the National Easter Convention in 1955 hosted at Maranatha Gospel Hall that continues to this day. Believers from all over the island meet for a three-day conference on a chosen biblical theme to be taught the Word of God and to fellowship together. It is also a time for renewal and encouragement. Since its inception, it has provided opportunities for gifted, Bible teachers from the USA, Canada and Britain to visit the island and engage the churches in expository Bible instruction.