Wesley Spencer Rhoden

Rev. Wesley Spencer Rhoden passed away on September 13, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 87. A minister, church leader, devoted father, and lifelong student of scripture, Wesley spent his life serving God, his family, and the communities entrusted to his care. Wesley was born on June 17, 1939, in St. Catherine, Jamaica, to Wilbert Rhoden and Jemima Rhoden, née Dawson. He attended Grateful Hill Elementary School and later Dinthill Technical High School. While at Dinthill, Wesley experienced what he understood to be a call from God to enter the ministry. He later attended Bethel Bible College in Carron Hall, St. Mary, beginning what would become decades of Christian ministry and leadership. Wesley served as pastor at Point Hill, St. Catherine, and Bamboo, St. Ann. He later became District Overseer of the Sandy Bay District of Churches and subsequently the Savanna-la-Mar District. His leadership expanded to the national level, where he served as Secretary of the Executive Board of the New Testament Church of God in Jamaica. In 1969, Wesley became the first Chairman of the denomination’s newly established Youth and Christian Education Board, helping lead an island-wide ministry dedicated to the spiritual growth and education of young people. After moving to the United States in 1986, he continued to minister, teach, counsel, and remain deeply engaged with scripture and the Christian faith. His ministry later extended beyond the New Testament Church of God. Over the course of his life, Wesley served across several Christian denominations and ultimately embraced a non-denominational ministry. To his daughters, Barbara and Joy, however, he was simply Daddy. He was a loving and involved father who valued education, faith, and family. Wesley remained a serious student of Scripture throughout his life. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Barbara Rhoden and Joy Rhoden; his sisters, Daphne Brown, Winifred Rutherford, and Loleta Heath; his two grandsons, Kyle Bryant and Nolan Lewis and extended family; and many friends, former parishioners, colleagues in ministry, and others whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert Rhoden and Jemima Rhoden (née Dawson), and his brother, Walter Rhoden. For those wishing to honor Wesley’s memory, the family welcomes memorial contributions to The Life Raft Group, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) through research, education, and advocacy. Donations may be made in memory of Wesley Spencer Rhoden at The Life Raft Group’s online donation page. Rev. Wesley Spencer Rhoden will be remembered for a life of faith, service, leadership, and devotion to family—and for the many lives shaped by his ministry and his example. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” - 1Corinthians 15:55 MA

Wesley Spencer Rhoden

June 17, 1939 - September 13, 2026