BIOGRAPHY OF
PASTOR EMERITUS JAMES BASS
James Bass was born on May 7, 1920 to the “late” Frank & Hattie Bell Bass. James is the oldest of six children born to this union.
James began school at the age of six in a little church house near Sunflower River Road, where he attended with two brothers and one sister. His first teacher, Mr. Lee taught all the classes which had terms of months and required students to attend two years to complete one grade. James favorite games were marbles and throwing horseshoes. James was called into the ministry at the tender age of six. As all the children gathered from neighboring farms in one house on Sunday evening playing church, James would conduct their service rendering the sermon, prayer and singing. Tithes and offering were pieces of broken glass. He ministered at the funeral of “anything that died” and was repeatedly referred to as “The Preacher Boy.”
Every Sunday James attended church with his parents in their only transportation, a mule pulled wagon. James first attended Mt. Laton Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. Jesse Perkins in Sunflower County during the 1920’s & 1930’s. James accepted Christ as his personal Savior on a Tuesday in August 1929, after sitting on the mourners bench during a revival. He was baptized in the Sunflower River. James became a faithful and dedicated young man as he grew in wisdom and knowledge.
At the age of 14, James was given the custodian job at his church and he cared for the building scrubbing floors, cleaning pews and changing light bulbs. From 1934 – 1936, James attended Ruleville Jr. High School. In 1941 James graduated from Booker T. Washington High School where the class was over 400.
In 1938, James revealed his calling and preached his first sermon in September at Mt. Laton Baptist Church. His message was entitled “Preaching As The Fire Burns.” James was very prayerful in the preparation of his ministry while still living at home. On December 7, 1941, James was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served his country for three years in World War II. During this time he continued his ministry in speaking and teaching the other soldiers as they embarked on life threatening situations. He carried no weapon and he gave God the praise. He was promoted to Corporal in 1944 and was sent with his division to the South Pacific, India and New Guinea, where his division was joined by the 92nd infantry and fierce fighting went on. James became the chaplain on the field and conducted worship services and delivered the mail. James was discharged on June 7, 1945 after contracting a virus while stationed in New Guinea and received a battery of medals which included the Good Conduct Medal, Battle and Service. James was healed and came home to his parents and a normal life again.
James began his freshman year at Tugaloo College in 1948, majoring in History. He attended the Mississippi Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi in 1951. He became pastor of the Mt. Israel Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi where he sponsored a broadcast for the senior citizens, sick and shut-ins.
In December 1955, James was invited to Detroit, Michigan to conduct a Revival for Rev. J.P. Montgomery at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. After the Revival, James made a stop in Chicago to visit his brother Harry and sister, Mamie. That Sunday he was honored to preach at the Greater Open Door Baptist Church.
In August 1956, through a vision that was inspired by the Holy Spirit in our Senior Pastor James Bass, a country preacher on fire for the master’s work, a small Mission was organized. The Mission rapidly grew in numbers and received its name by Sis. Rosie Fisher, with God’s direction and assurance. The Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church was organized at 1532 South Pulaski Road, in September 1956.
In February 1957, he returned to Chicago, he commuted between Chicago and Mississippi twice a month to pastor his congregation in Mississippi. After much fasting and praying, he saw the need for his ministry in the large city, and permanently relocated to Chicago. He served six (6) years as a pastor in Mississippi.
In 1967, James was united in Holy Matrimony to Helyn Maxcine Julius. The couple was blessed with their first child on May 3, 1968, a son, Vincent, and on January 16, 1970 they were blessed with a daughter Vikkeda.
Pastor James Bass served as the pastor of Mt. Olive for 45 years, he then decided to turn over the responsibility to a younger man to carry on his vision that was in the person of none other than our current Pastor, Reverend Kenneth Giles, who has continued to feed the flock.
Pastor Bass affirms his belief that with God all things are possible.
Thoughts from Pastor Emeritus James Bass
I am grateful to God for 45 years serving as pastor of a growing and loving church family. Many members have joined, been baptized and served faithfully in one capacity or another in this great ministry.
I’ve retired from pastoring, however, I will continue encouraging ministers, pastors and their congregants to press forward in their commitment to Kingdom Building.
“I am crucified with Christ: Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I live in the flesh I live by faith of the son of God.” (Gal.2:20)…Therefore, I am a servant committed.
To God Be The Glory!!
Pastor Emeritus James Bass