Apostle Dr. Joseph B. Devlin Jr., affectionately called “Apostle Jay", is the founder and Senior Pastor of  The Lion Of Judah Fellowship Church International  . He is CEO of The CORE Ministries International. designed to provide effective evangelism Teaching for Mainstream Churches to understand the Inclusive Gospel Of Jesus Christ. Additionally, he is the International Chief Presiding Apostle  of The Fellowship Of Inclusive United Pentecostals International created to nurture and support visionary leadership. A uniquely gifted, creative and profound orator, he is a highly sought after, charismatic preacher, motivational speaker, lecturer, singer, writer and human rights advocate with a burden to equip and empower people to transform the world. Known for his "uncensored" and “down to earth” preaching style, Apostle Devlin is able to reach people from diverse backgrounds specifically focusing on emotional healing and restoring the spiritual authority of the believer.

A native of Mount Florida In Lake County,Fl

Lake County FL Native, he has vast experience in urban ministry that has taken him throughout the United States and abroad. As an international evangelist he has spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ all over the United States to Bermuda, Canada, Central Europe and West Africa. His political and theological evolution over the years has focused his ministry on addressing various forms of oppression within communities positioned on the margins o f society, the spiritual and social impact it has on the lives of hurting people and the psychological and spiritual liberation needed to move people into their destiny.


In 2009, After over 20 years of preaching and urban ministry, he felt a call from God to create a place of refuge and empowerment for ALL people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class or background. This place would be called, The Lion Of Judah   Church  International. In the fall of 2001, Apostle Devlin began to develop and train leaders to birth a refuge for ALL people. Since its inception, many are calling The Lion of Judah Fellowship Church International“one of the South’s fastest growing inclusive Churches” or “North Central Florida's new progressive Pentecostal movement”. The Lion Of Judah  Church International  has become a multiracial, welcoming and affirming, nondenominational Church experiencing explosive growth since its inception. In less than 4 years, The  Lion Of Judah Fellowship Church International has grown from 12 committed people to more than 200+ members and now more than 50 active ministries, including Women's and Men's ministry, Children's programs, book clubs, counseling services, community food and clothing bank and senior ministry just to name a few. Each Wednesday, The The CORE Voice  Program feeds over 250 individuals in downtown Ocala. Intentional about providing education and resources for the community, The Radical For Christ Lighthouse Church International provides onsite HIV testing and counseling on a monthly basis. Heralded in a recent Local Cable documentary in February of 2006 as, “Ocala’s new alternative to homophobia and identity oppression in the " traditional Apostolic Pentecostal Church Apostle Devlin and The   The Lion Of Judah Fellowship   Church International  have been transforming Ocala's “Church culture” to become more inclusive and influencing ALL people to live not just spiritually but authentically.


In addition to his pastoral duties, he currently studies at Apostolic Faith Bible College, distant learning studies division in Saint Paul, MA, where in conjunction with studies in Religion, he also pursues degrees in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources. His previous education has come from Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Florida and Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida where he studied Philosophy and Religion. He is a member of Gloryfire Ministries International Church. He works with numerous national civic and social organizations focused on Economic and Community Development, Social Justice, Human Rights advocacy and HIV/AIDS testing and education. These organizations include; The Church  Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Of The Apostolic Faith (COOLJC),   The Pentecostal Assemblies Of The World Inc., The United Pentecostal Church International, Regional Council of Churches of North Florida Inc., The Center for Corncerned Pentecostals , Concerned Black Clergy of North Central Florida Inc., The National Black Justice Coalition, HRC (The Human Rights Campaign), United for Peace and Justice, The Uni ted Church Of Christ Inc., The Coalition on Human Needs and The Equality Forum.  Apostle Devlin is currently working on his first book to be released in the very near future.

 

 Under his visionary leadership,  The Lion Of Judah Church  International  of Ocala has begun plans to develop and build “The  City Of Hope and Refuge  Ministries  Complex”; which will encompass The Landmark Cathedral and worship center, Family Life Center for Wellness, Economic development and Business Center, Landmark Community Foundation, The  Kingdom Apostolic Theological Institute, Kingdom Place Christian Bookstore, Apostolic Vision Academy and Learning Center. His chief mission is to be about “saving souls while saving lives.