Apostle Martha Mae Gould

Apostle (Doctor) Martha Mae Gould, also known as "Popcorn," was born on January 19, 1955, at Chesterfield Hospital in Cheraw, South Carolina, to Leroy Gould and Martha Gould Lockhart. On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Apostle Gould peacefully answered the Master's call and transitioned from labor to eternal reward, entering into the presence of the Lord in whom she so faithfully served.

Apostle Gould was raised in Rockingham, where she received salvation at the tender age of eight. Even as a child, her life was marked by faith and spiritual sensitivity. She was a proud member of the first graduating class of Richmond Senior High School, graduating in June 1973. During her time there, she was very active and engaged in school activities. On March 10, 1974, Martha moved to New Haven, beginning a new chapter in her life. In 1976, she enrolled at Southern Connecticut State University, where she completed three years of study. During the summer of 1978, she attended the University of Salamanca as an exchange student, studying Spanish and earning a certificate in the language. She later returned and graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

On March 18, 1979, after leaving a party and arriving home around 2:00 a.m., Martha heard the voice of the Lord speak clearly to her spirit: "Where is your party and your friends now? You left your party and your friends out there, but if you serve Me, your party will go everywhere you go." After submitting to His will, she had no personal plans to pursue ministry, but God had other plans for her life. During a Youth Day service at Union Temple Church, where she attended, visiting minister Richard Frazier preached a powerful message entitled, "I Am Coming Home." That message completely transformed Martha's life. As Rev. Frazier ministered, God spoke to her heart saying, "You will go up, and many young people will follow." Rev. Frazier then spoke a word of knowledge that someone had already received salvation but needed to confess it. Martha came forward declaring boldly, "I am saved!" As God had promised, many young people followed her to the altar. She was brought out of darkness into the marvelous light of God's Son, Jesus Christ.

On September 14, 1980, she preached her initial public sermon, entitled "Subject: 'Because God Is.'" In that moment, God was shaping an Apostle. She was later blessed with a position at Highland Heights as a teacher's aide. After working there for 1.5 years, her position was cut due to budget reductions, but she later worked at Sleeping Giant Daycare. Soon afterward, her health declined tremendously. Doctors were unable to physically identify the affliction and eventually gave up hope, and gave her up to die. For seventeen long years, she endured severe suffering. She could not eat solid foods, some liquids caused rashes, and her left side was partially paralyzed. Once again, Satan thought he had the victory. Unable to reach her soul, he afflicted her body. In the twelfth hour, when things appeared hopeless to the natural eye, God was watching over His servant. "Through the mighty hand of God, she was healed. By 1986, her life was renewed, free from pain, and God was ready to complete his work.

Apostle Gould pursued theological training, studying under Rev. Holmes, Rev. Parks of the Freewill Baptist Church, and Dr. Jekyll of Yale University in New Testament studies. She later attended Bethel Bible College in Queens, New York, under Bishop Cecil, with Lorraine Fidalgo as her teacher. During her first two years, she received her Evangelistic License and her Associate Degree in Bible Theology. After six years of study, she received her Minister's License and was ordained under Bishop Epps at Union Temple Freewill Baptist Church. She remained thankful for Minister Frances Mackey, who encouraged her during the early days of Holy Ghost Tabernacle.

In the summer of 1988, she traveled to Africa as a missionary under Rev. Hilton, Pastor and Founder of JCET Ministries. While ministering in Nigeria and Calabar, there were many hindrances, but God proved sovereign, healing, delivering, and setting many souls free. Two years later, she traveled to Germany in obedience to God's will. She often reflected that her ministry began on the corner of Boston Avenue and Asylum Street in New Haven, where Rev. Cook allowed them to gather at Christ the Redeemer Church and welcomed them with open arms just as Jesus welcomes His people. She likened her journey to a baseball player stepping up to bat for the first time, swinging toward home base, praying she would make it safely home where Christ waits with outstretched arms.

On the Second Sunday in July 1991, in Bridgeport, CT, Holy Ghost Tabernacle received birth, and from there the church has been growing. The Lord gave Apostle Gould many visions, such as "Feed the people day", Thanksgiving baskets, and many annual days. As Apostle Gould, she stood firmly on the Word of God and carried it with authority. But she always knew where her strength came from. January 19, 1997, was when she became an apostle. Many of us can still hear her voice. "I wanna stop right here and thank you Holy Ghost, cause I know you're helping me preach this gospel." Today, we thank God for helping her finish her assignment.

Under her leadership, five churches were birthed: Holy Ghost Tabernacle National & International in New Haven (Mother Church); Holy Ghost Tabernacle in Goldsboro, North Carolina, under Apostle Eva Casimir and Apostle Walter Gould; Holy Ghost Tabernacle in Ghana, West Africa, under George Antwi; and Virginia under Pastor Rogers. In addition to her ministry, she worked at Wilbur Cross High School from 2013 to 2024, where she began as a paraprofessional and touched many lives.

Apostle Gould was known for her "Alphabet of Faith," teaching that A because we need to be Anointed, B because we need to be Born Again, C for we need Christ in our lives, D because we need to be Delivered, E is because we need to Exit up out of here, F because we need Faith, G because we need God, H because we want to make it to Heaven, and she would end with Z, saying, "We need a zeal so we can get up out of here.!"

Martha was the oldest of nine siblings. She leaves behind her daughter, Lorise Brown; grandchildren, Sascha Gould, Aaron Brown Jr., and Justin Brown; her siblings Hedrick Gould (Bernice) Fedrick Gould, Carlston Gould (Mamie) Shirley Holiday (Thomas) Walter Gould (Leona) Elaine Williams (Franklin) New Haven Kathy Bostic(Anthony) and Anthony Gould all seven siblings reside in North Carolina. Two Uncles Jessie Byrd (Alberta) of North Carolina, Toby Byrd (Rachel) of New Haven One Aunt Yolanda Byrd of North Carolina a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren Kenyatta Clark Simms, Rhonda Simms, Eric Piggott, Shemikka Pigott, Melvin Quick, Quamayne Lloyd, Tonya Mackey, Aaron Mackey, Israel Cunningham, Eric Daniels, D'Hati Burgess, Laura Taylor, Monica Brown, Lynette Byrd, Angel Bailey, Devin Bailey, Tiny Bennett, Kea Lockhart, and many others; and special loved ones Apostle Ardean Richardson, Glenora King, Rachel Byrd, Morris Harrington, Katie Harrington, Virginia Covington, Earline Little, Leter Bell Pegues, Denise Bennett, Richard Byrd (R.W.), Emma McCargo, Maxine Davis, Felecia Worthy, Norma Miller, and Vicky McNeil. She expressed heartfelt thanks to her former boss, Mrs. Johnson, formerPrincipal of Wilbur Cross High School, and the staff, her church fellowship, friends, and the praying saints.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Martha Gould Lockhart; her father, Leroy Gould; her brother, Hazel Byrd; her grandmother, Leter Byrd; her grandfather, Toby Byrd; six aunts; and seven uncles.

Apostle Martha Mae Gould fought a good fight, finished her course, and kept the faith. When others would have rested, their change came. Apostle Martha Mae Gould hit one last home run as she received a Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) from Prophets of Training School of The Prophets. Her life stands as a testimony of obedience, endurance, healing, and unwavering trust in God. Though she has transitioned from earth to glory, her legacy lives on in every soul she touched. God is Good over here; he is opening doors over here, saving over here, healing over here, loving over here. Call on him, Jesus! He's Good, He's Good, he's Good.

"Somebody said I wouldn't, somebody said I couldn't, but I made it."

Pray Now!