1946 - 2023
James Harold Morton was born May 8, 1946, to the late Bishop C.L. Morton, Sr. and Evangelist Matilda Morton in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Affectionately known by his family members as “Jim”, he was a spirited and adventurous child and teenager, often providing an air of humor and levity in contrast to how individuals perceived the son of a prominent pastor would behave. One such moment occurred at a churchwide picnic hosted by his father at a park in Michigan known as Belle Isle. Unknown to his parents, Jim had taken the keys to his father’s Cadillac and drove the car around the park loudly broadcasting an impromptu message welcoming everyone to the event via the megaphone attached to the vehicle.
His desire to serve the Lord was realized at an early age, when at 8 years old his father overheard him singing the song ‘You Can’t Beat God Giving’ and was so moved that he asked Young James to lead the church in singing the song the following Sunday.
James answered the call to preach the Gospel in 1968, and on Father’s Day, June 16th of that same year, he preached his first sermon at the Mount Zion Church of God in Christ, in Detroit, Michigan… it was obvious to everyone that James Harold Morton was indeed a man called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People came from all over the metropolitan area to hear Reverend James Morton whenever it was noised that he was preaching.
He was equally sought after as a preacher as he was as a musician.
The New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church was born out of a divinely ordained moment where close to 1,400 members agreed to follow the Reverend James H. Morton, Sr., as he followed Christ.
Under his leadership, the New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church grew exponentially, offering over 50 ministries to meet the needs of all people, and building the Kingdom of God.
On Saturday, February 11, 2023, Bishop James Harold Morton, Sr., entered ‘The Land of No More’ as he departed this life and entered into his eternal rest.
Though his musical and ministerial accomplishments were important to him, Bishop Morton took the greatest pride in his family. He leaves to cherish his most treasured memories:
