Chief Martin

The Life and Legacy of a Servant

Apostle, Pastor, Colorado Jurisdictional Chief Adjutant, Dr. Josiah Martin

Born to his parents, Pastor James Lee Martin, and Mrs. Gladys Marie Cobb-Martin, while Pastoring the Martin Rose C.O.G.I.C. in Kankakee, Illinois, the life of God's Servant began. He attended Franklin Elementary in Illinois. The young lad and his family relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1964. He attended Grape Street Elementary, matriculating to Edwin Markham Junior High.

We have the immense privilege of being able to give people something more valuable money - that is ‘the word of life' (Phil. 2:12a). There is no greater joy than seeing people who are spiritually dead – come to life through Jesus Christ. For this purpose, Dr. Josiah Martin accepted his calling to preach the Gospel in 1969, at the formative age of fourteen while attending Holy Tabernacle Church of God in Christ located in an infamous gang and drug infested community called Watts, in Los Angeles, California under the pastorage of Superintendent J.T. Reeder.

He along with his twelve-year-old brother Samuel, who answered the call of God in 1968 (is now a Pastor). He and Samuel were limited and not allowed to exercise their ministry gifts because it was believed that young boys should not be allowed to speak nor that they had much to say. Nevertheless, they were fully assured that GOD had called them and not man. They were both proud to be ministers of God, carriers of God's word, proclaimers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They took their calling very seriously, and were ardently supported and encouraged by their mother, the late and yet beloved Mother Gladys Marie Martin. Things changed for ‘The Martin Boys' when their Father, the late great Bishop J.L. Martin, Sr. met and befriended Pastor H.C. Ross of St. Paul Church of God in Christ in San Pedro, California who regarded Pastor Martin as one of his favorite preachers. Pastor Ross believed in supporting youth in ministry. Naturally, when he relocated his church to Los Angeles, ‘The Martin Boys' became a part of that ministry. Josiah and Sammy enhanced their preaching skills by developing their gift of singing as they sang in the church choir. Josiah was featured on the James leveland Presents St. Paul Church of God in Christ album as lead on "God Done It All". He also recorded with The Daryl Ross Singers.

Licensed Ministry in February 1971

Los Angeles, California, Greater St. Paul C.O.G.I.C.

News of ‘Those Boy Preachers- ‘The Martin Brothers' spread like wildfire throughout the Los Angeles area. Samuel and Josiah preached together most of the time and supported each all the time. God was opening doors for them all over California. Their Anointed, Jubilistic, Charismatic tag team and solo preaching afforded opportunities widespread in the Los Angeles area, Pasadena, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Oakland.

He joined his mother in Colorado and served under Pastor William and Mother Ophelia Ephraim in the latter part of 1971 to 1972 at Progressive Church of God in Christ in Colorado Springs, CO.

In 1973, "The Martin Boys' embarked upon National Evangelism and became full time Evangelists. Their first revival was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota at First Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Pastor, Elder Demming. The church was packed ever night. Large numbers of souls came to Christ. It was said to be the greatest revival ever held in that city to this very day. Many were saved during that revival that lasted for over a month. As a result, several accepted their calling to Pastor in that same city even now.

During his travel as a National Evangelist, he met the Anointed preacher, International Jurisdictional Youth Evangelist of the Wisconsin Northwest Jurisdiction, while in a revival at her church, Shiloh Stronghold C.O.G.I.C., Racine, WI. She had just flown in from Des Moines, IA. in revival. She prayed for him and watched how God moved in such a miraculous way. He informed her that, "The Lord said you are my wife." "What you need to do is get your little self somewhere and pray. I am going back on the field and I will be back for you." Early in 1976, he had already spoken with her pastor, the Apostle George Franklin Ramsey, and wife, Mother Betty Ramsey for God's approval. After Apostle Ramsey said the Lord sanctioned this marriage, he flew from Denver, CO., and proposed marriage to the love of his life. ***(He informed her that he was called to Pastor in Colorado Springs, CO)

On February 12, 1977, he married the Prophetess, Evangelist, Female Gospel Globetrotter, G. Martina Martin. Their wedding was like a convention, friends gathered in bus loads from all over the country.

As he sang a song, he made just for her.

"God gave me you, that I will never walk alone"

He faithfully served with the Apostle G. F. Ramsey for pastoral tutelage from 1977-1983.

Called from the Evangelist Field in August of 1983 by the Holy Ghost, he relocated from Racine, WI to Colorado Springs, CO to fulfill the mandated vision to Pastor imparted to him by God. While waiting on the fulfillment of the vision, we were embraced by one of God's Anointed Powerful couples. Serving faithful with Pastor Clifton & Evangelist Prophetess Clara Walton at Faith Mission House of Prayer Church of God in Christ, until God released him for Pastoral-ship. He started this great work of the Ministry with himself and his God-given wife.

Josiah Martin loved the ministry whole heartedly. God continued to open doors for him nationally and internationally throughout Europe, and many souls came to Christ.

The bashful boy, AKA CLARK KENT, started shy, soft-spoken, with his head held down, but by God's grace and power of the anointing of Jesus Christ, transformed him into a powerful praying-preaching machine. From the formidable boy to the man, God's Prophet, many were miraculously healed, delivered from addictions, and saved from sin. He was God's chosen Superman, uninhibited by satanic kryptonite, standing in the gap between Heaven and Hell, totally committed to our Lord's great commission.

"Death does not have the Last Word!"

Apostle, Pastor, Chief's amazing personality, charming smile and warm fatherly touch shall never fade into oblivion, but will forever be felt through the Life of his Loving and Devoted Wife of 43 wonderful years, "Babe"; his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, God-children, Tower of Faith and Deliverance Tabernacle Church of God In Christ family, and the multitude of friends.

Thanks be to God, for giving Mother Gladys Marie Martin a son, whom she gave back to the Lord. He enriched all of our lives through the God-given power, revelation, rightly dividing the Word of God. Each message he preached executed from the sacred desk, was by the will of God!

As his anointed wife, God's Chosen Vessel would say, "At last, the final analysis of the technicalities," thanks be unto God for giving us 65 extraordinary years. He has been the gift of a hero, a champion, a warrior, a builder, a visionary, a scholar, a theologian, a gospel preacher, a Christian apologist, a cosmopolitan leader, a defender of the faith, a father to hundreds, an inspiration to thousands, a friend to just about everybody-everywhere, the genuine, magnetic, engaging, caring, compassionate, humorous, approachable, and pricelessly charismatic, Apostle, Pastor, Chief Adjutant of the Colorado Jurisdiction - Doctor Josiah Martin. Absolutely, unquestionably one of a kind – indeed one of the greatest men who ever lived!

Visitation : June 12, 2020 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Israelite Church of God in Christ
123 Security Blvd
Colorad Springs, CO 80911
(719) 392-7772

Private Service :

Interment :

Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery
1005 South Hancock Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903