Johnny Weatherbe Jr. , noted evangelist

JOHNNY L. WEATHERBE Jr. was not the kind of preacher who stayed very long in his church.

He believed that it was part of his mission to get out in the streets and help the people who most needed him. He would pack up a bunch of sandwiches and take them out to the street people.

And while he was feeding them, he would give them a religious pep talk, and this cheerful, persuasive man could convince the homeless that there might be a better life for them.

Johnny Weatherbe, an ordained bishop, founder and pastor of Agape Love Ministries Church, in Southwest Philadelphia, and a nationally known figure in the evangelical movement who traveled widely to preach the message of redemption, died Aug. 17 of heart failure. He was 54 and lived in Southwest Philadelphia.

He worked as an assistant chemist for the DuPont Co. in Philadelphia for 25 years before retiring to devote full time to his ministry.

"It was impossible for you to sit under his ministry and not be able to literally see your life change right before your eyes," said his son Johnny Weatherbe III.

"Through the years, many souls were saved, lives healed, ministries revised/restored because of the sacrifices he made in obedience to the call placed on his life."

Johnny was part of the American evangelical world and often appeared on the same platform with some of its well-known leaders, including the San Diego-based televangelist Morris Cerullo and Gary V. Whetstone, of the Whetstone World Wide Ministries, of New Castle, Del.

In fact, Johnny studied at Whetstone's School of Biblical Studies, where he received his doctorate.

Johnny's wife, the former Barbara Wilson, shared pastoral responsibilities with him and also shared in the honors he received over the years.

"He was a loving, caring person," said his daughter, Shanita M. Johnson. "It didn't matter what a person was or did, he recognized that each person has a soul. He liked to say that God will hold you accountable for how you treat them."

About five years ago, she and her father started an annual Christmas party at the church, inviting area families to share in food, fellowship and the spiritual experience of the holiday.

Johnny also took his message to nursing homes, shut-ins and youth shelters.

"As an intercessor, prophet, teacher, administrator and adviser, Bishop Weatherbe was called for such a time as this," his son said. "He was called to raise up end-time warriors for the advancement of the kingdom of God."

One of Johnny's proudest accomplishments was serving as co-founder of the Ruwach United Fellowship of Churches, comprising churches in the U.S. and abroad with the purpose of strengthening independent churches and supporting pastors around the world.

Working with this organization, Johnny Weatherbe traveled to Ghana about six years ago to help establish a church there. He had also been to Puerto Rico for the same purpose.

"He understood that no man is an entity within himself," his son said. "He declared that it is through unity and giving back to the body of Christ that which God has invested in us that we truly live."

Johnny was born in Philadelphia to deacon Johnny L. Weatherbe Sr. and elder Rosa Weatherbe. He graduated from Bok Vocational High School, and attended the Jamison Bible Institute.

Besides his wife, daughter and son, he is survived by two other sons, Michael and Christopher; three sisters, Roberta Chambers, Paula McKenley and Victoria Barnes; two brothers, LeAndrew Boone and Vernon Weatherbe; and 11 grandchildren.

Services: 6 p.m. tomorrow at Deliverance Evangelist Church, 2001 W. Lehigh Ave. Friends may call at 8 a.m. at Agape Love Ministries Church, 1013 S. 52nd St., and at 4 p.m. at Deliverance Evangelist Church. Burial will be in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd.