Pastor Wade Bass, son of Rev. and Mrs. John T. Bass of Ocala, Florida, began full-time ministry at the age of 16.  He married Judith Varnum, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. T. W. Varnum of Belleview, Florida on May 1, 1971.  Their ministry has included traveling as full-time evangelists, an effort at pioneering a church, serving as interim pastor in two churches and an associate pastor.  On July 12, 1984, they were installed as the pastor of Life Tabernacle of Ocala, Florida, where he currently serves as the Senior Pastor.

Pastor Bass enjoys the privilege afforded him to serve as the pastor of Life Tabernacle as well as a national and international speaker at conferences, youth camps, family campmeetings, seminars and special services.  He serves on the advisory committee of the I-AM Foundation, the steering committee of the Apostolic Ministerial Conference, the steering committee of Legacy, a camp for Apostolic youth, as a director of the Apostolic Churches of Brazil and an advisor to Ethiopian Missions.

Pastor and Sis. Bass have three children, Timothy Wade, Deana Judith and Ramona Lavonne; all of which are involved in full-time ministry.  Timothy is married to Shelley McElroy, and they assist in the ministry of Life Tabernacle.  They have three sons, Trenton, Myles and Brenden.  Deana is married to Rev. Terry Witt, a full-time evangelist.  They have three daughters, Breanna, Hailey and Alayna.  Ramona is married to Rev. Larry Worthen, pastor of New Life Tabernacle of Murphysboro, Illinois.  They have one daughter, Karissa and one son, Kyler.

Pastor and Sis. Bass enjoy spending their free time getting away to Cedar Key, fishing and with their family.

Pastor Emeritus

Our founding pastor, Rev. John T. Bass was born on August 19, 1923, in Tarver, Georgia.  On June 22, 1947, he married Florice Causseaux of Otter Creek, Florida.  They moved to Ocala in 1949 from Gulf Hammock, Florida.  They were blessed with seven children, all of which are currently active in church work.  He served as the Sunday School superintendent of the church which was called the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ at that time.  In June of 1953, he was appointed pastor.  He served as the pastor for 31 years at which time he began to travel full-time as an evangelist.  Three weeks shy of their 54th wedding anniversary, on May 31, 2001, he bid good-bye to the love of his life when the Lord took her home to be with Him.  He currently resides in Ocala, Florida, and is still preaching at the age of 85.  Life Tabernacle counts it a privilege that he remains a part of our congregation.