Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/96

Contributor - Bill Mackay

Title - The Reverend Jeff Kingswood

Topic - Minister Profile

Reverend Jeffery John Kingswood is a minister of the Classis of Ontario, Synod of Canada and the R.C.A. Some may know him by reputation. Some may know him personally. Others may be hearing of him for the first time. He is currently the pastor of Emmanuel Reformed Church of Woodstock, Ontario.

Rev. Kingswood was born on August 13, 1959 and was raised in. the Cambridge area of Southwestern Ontario. He is the oldest son of John and Alida Kingswood. Rev. Kingswood attended school in the public school system. While in high school, he met the person who would play a large role in his life. Joan Campbell is the daughter of Presbyterian minister Rev. William Campbell and his wife, Maureen.. It is interesting to note that Joan was not actually taken with this shy young man at first meeting, but she soon grew to love his quiet personality. They have now been married for 14 years.

Rev. Kingswood graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.A. in Political Studies. Responding to God's call to the ministry, he entered Knox College, University of Toronto and received his Master of Divinity degree in 1987. Joan graduated from McMaster University (Hamilton.) with her B.Sc. in Nursing. The Kingswoods accepted a call to minister in the Presbyterian church in Woodstock, New Brunswick. They remained there for three-and-a-half years. By this time, their family had grown by three with. the addition of Rebecca, Esther, and John..

In 1991, the Kingswoods accepted a call from Emmanuel Reformed Church in Woodstock, Ontario, where Rev. Kingswood was to serve as the new Associate Pastor. One-and-a-half years later, he became the presiding pastor as Rev. Hartmans stepped down to prepare for his retirement. In September of 1994, Rev. Hartmans retired, leaving Rev. Kingswood as the lone pastor at Emmanuel.

Today, the Kingswood family has seven members with the addition of Mary and Abraham. This census does not take into account Dawson or the various geese or rabbits that have graced the Kingswood homestead at one time or another.

Rev. Kingswood is conservative theologically, although by his own admission, he does not wear a black suit. He appreciates the writings of J.I. Packer, R. C. Sproul, Jay Adams, Herman Hoeksema, John MacArthur, the Princeton theologians of the last century, and some of the Puritans. His library includes Wm. Hendrickson's New Testament commentaries and R.C.H. Lenski.'s Interpretation series; he also uses the Geneva Series of Commentaries from the Banner of Truth.. He has an appreciation. for church history and biographies. When time permits, he also enjoys hunting, camping, and other outdoor activities.

He recently stepped down as the editor of the Pioneer Christian Monthly and currently serves on the board of the London Ligonier Study Centre (Ligonier Ministries of Canada).

Rev. Kin.gswood describes himself as a theologian of modest abilities and feels his heart in ministry is for the systematic expository preaching of the Word of God. Others would describe him as an excellent teacher, someone who will present the truth in a manner that you can understand (as long as he does not use the really big words). Jeff Kingswood is a man who, by God's grace, has a love for the preaching of Gods Holy Word. He is diligent in his preaching and in the teaching of God's truth to His people.

Proverbs 1:7 tells us that 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Jesus tells us to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38). Jerry Bridges, in his book The Practice of Godliness, describes man as needing a fear of God and a love of God. Jeff and Joan Kingswood are devoted to God. They are very caring and have a strong commitment to the Covenant family of God. Their family has been blessed by the Lord, and in so doing, our fellowship in the community of Christ has also been. blessed.

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