Emmanuel Ray Jenkins

The Life of Emmanuel Ray JenkinsGod bless those who mourn, for the will be comforted. Matthew 5:4Emmanuel Ray Jenkins was born in the City of Camden, Arkansas on September 21, 1947, to the late Rosie Lee Jenkins.“Manuel” as he was often referred was a 1964 graduate of Lincoln High School. Shortly after high school he attended Job Corps and studied plumbing. Manuel was the marque manager for the Malco Theater; he worked for the Labor Local Union #788 for several years and was later employed by the City of Camden as a cemetery plot attendant supervisor. He worked part-time with James Key Fence Company installing chain link fences. He was a dutiful employee having worked construction and plumbing jobs. He worked as a burial agent for the Williams Burial Association and support staff of Williams Funeral Home on Adams Avenue until his health failed. In his spare time Manuel enjoyed gardening in which he grew watermelons and peanuts.At a tender age he gave his life to the Lord at CME Temple Church. He later answered the call to be a Minister of the Gospel under the leadership of Rev. Richard Joyner and began to spread God’s word. Rev. Jenkins stated that God instructed him to join the AME Church at which time he served under the leadership of Rev. Todd at the Whitist Chapel AME Church and New Home AME Church of the Stephens Circuit. After several years of serving, he was assigned as the head pastor of both churches for over 20 years. One of Rev. Jenkins greatest accomplishments was when he was asked to preach at the Annual Conference and he took his mother along to witness this achievement. Pastor Jenkins had a unique preaching and pastoring style. While serving as a pastor, his love for Christ and people became more evident. After much prayer and fasting, the Lord gave him the vision to start a new ministry in Stephens, Arkansas. On November 23, 2003, Jehovah Jireh Church Ministries was founded and established. In 2007, God blessed his ministry to move to Camden, Arkansas.He truly possessed a love for all mankind; he never judged others and always made himself available to assist others in their time of need. He practiced what he preached.Pastor Jenkins loved reading God’s word, drinking coffee and cooking. He was known for his famous t-cakes. However, none of these things could ever take the place of the people he loved the most, his family. He was a devoted brother, loving husband, proud father, and a doting grandfather who loved all. He worked hard for many years to improve the quality of living for his family.On Thursday, July 6, 2017 after one final stop by his church and clinching the Word he so dearly loved, he surrendered his soul to Christ. Persevering through with his sickness became the true hallmark of all his achievements as a man of God. He was preceded in death by his mother Rosie Jenkins; and one brother, Larry Jenkins (2015).The Legacy of Pastor Emmanuel Ray Jenkins will live on through his wife, Deseree; his children, Michael Rowe of Oakridge, TN and Antonio (Mary) Cole of Texarkana, TX; Stacey Horton of Texarkana, TX, William (Tyronda) McCoy, Jr., of Camden, AR and LaShunda (Eric) Weaver of Camden, AR whom he loved as his children; twenty-three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.He also leaves three beloved sisters, Brenda Joyce Foreman of Camden, AR, Abbie Renee (Lonnie) Bragg of Hot Springs, AR and Ora Jenkins of Little Rock, AR; two brothers, Grady L. (Elsie) Jenkins of Camden, AR, Alfred Roland (Faye) Jenkins of Stephens, AR; his father and mother-in-law, Earnest and Mary Gatson; three sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and the Jehovah Jireh Church Ministries Family.