The History of Our Beginning
The Trail to how it happened!
Faith Temple Church of God In Christ Newburgh is a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in which the Word of God is preached, Ordinances are administered and the Doctrine of Sanctification and Holiness are emphasized, as being essential to the Salvation of Mankind.
Our Church (C.O.G.I.C.) is commonly known as being Holiness or Pentecostal in nature because of the importance ascribed to the events which occurred on the Day of Pentecost, the 50th day after the Passover, or Easter as being necessary for all believers in Christ Jesus to experience.
Our Church is also considered to be a member of the great Protestant body though it did not directly evolve from the European or English Reformation but had its origin within the General Association to the Baptist Church.
Elder Charles Harrison Mason, who later became the founder and organizer of the Church of God In Christ, was born September 8,1866, on the Prior Farm near Memphis, Tennessee. His father and mother, Jerry and Eliza Mason, were members of a Missionary Baptist Church, having been converted during the dark crises of American Slavery.
Faith Temple Church of God In Christ on 1511 North Royal Avenue & Oak Grove Road in Evansville, Indiana for many years was located on 406 Sycamore Street in Newburgh, Indiana. It sat on the plot of ground which formally stood the C.M.E. Church. An old Deed listing the church as C.M.E., dates back to 1880. At that time the family of John and Blain Folden were active in the church. In 1922, the name of the church was changed to Pentecostal and among those who formed the congregation were Mr. And Mrs. John Dixon, Sr., Axie Smith, Julia Smith, Mary Bell Bowers, Viola and Mister West, Louvenia Robinson Moore, Alonzo Moore, Sr., Mrs. Allie Posey, Mrs. Charles Washington, John Lynch, Clara Lynch Dixon, Mary Lynch Posey, Mrs. Leander Overlin, Mrs. Gentry, and Mrs. America Williams.
Early in 1969, leaders in the church, which is now Faith Temple Church of God In Christ Newburgh, recognized the need for a new building, and began a move to raise the money for it. Alonzo Moore, Sr. spearheaded the campaign and on June 24, 1969, the Moore's daughter, Mrs. Jennie Cox of Boston, with Rev. Bennie Goodwin presented a musical Program in Zion United Church to help raise funds.
Many friends in the community donated liberally to help the small congregation reach its goal. Early in the 1971 the dreams were realized and the old building was torn down. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held and the new Faith Temple Building was erected September 8, 1972.
Members of the small congregation lived both in Newburgh and in Evansville. Rev. Joe Johnson, who lived in Evansville was pastor. He and his wife led the members in worship for many years. Trustees were Mrs. Phillipia Barnett and Alonzo Moore, Sr., Secretary was Mrs. Peggy Moore, Finance Chairman was Alonzo Moore, Sr., and treasurer, Mrs. Phillipia Barnett. Sunday School Superintendent was Alonzo Moore, Sr. and teachers were Clara McCoy and Phillipia Barnett. Auxiliaries of the church included the Prayer and Bible Band with Phillipia Barnett as president, Peggy Moore, secretary, and Dorothy Agnew, teacher. The Young People's Willing Workers had Mrs. Alice Brodie as president, Mary Johnson as secretary, and Clara McCoy as teacher.
Working diligently, the members paid off their mortgage and held mortgage-burning ceremonies on July 3, 1975.
For many years, God purposely kept this church on the backside of the dessert (hid in Newburgh, Indiana) for such a time as this. Faith Temple's Ministry is doing what other churches have either failed at doing or had too little faith at attempting to do. God has and continues to reveal this Unique, Evangelistic, Ministry of Healing, Restoration and Deliverance to the world after the Home going of the late Elder Joe Johnson. The current administration under the leadership of Pastor John (as he likes to be called) begins a new era. God was preparing Pastor John for Faith Temple and He was preparing Faith Temple for Pastor John. Minister Anthony R. Hughes, Mrs. Katherine Webb, Mother Alice Brodie and Sister Sherry and a few others were maintaining this church until God called Elder John Dennis as Shepherd to lead the flock This ministry continues to prove on a weekly basis, "A Church Alive Is Worth The Drive!"
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The
eVANgelism
Ministry would love to serve you!!
Simply call 812-471-7953, 812-431-5884 or send an e-mail to: 1hope4u@sbcglobal.net by 5pm on Saturdays
'A Church Alive Is Worth The Drive!!
Pastor, Upclose And Personal:
Pastor John has taught in the public school system over 22 years. As an educator, he strives to instill values, compassion, and the spirit of cooperation into his students, which he gives all the credit to Jesus Christ.
His roots began in Atlanta, Georgia. Pastor John attended Swainsboro High School in Swainsboro, Georgia and received several honors as a student/athlete. He graduated from Georgia Southern University, receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. He completed his Masters in Education Degree at Indiana State University and his Masters in Administration and Supervision at Oakland City.
The state of Georgia is very special to Pastor, but God led him to Newburgh, Indiana in 1990 to his true love, both naturally and spiritually. In April of 1990, he met Pam from Evansville. God spoke to Pastor John and told him "Pam would be his wife." They married July 6 and currently have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. Their son (Deke), is a free agent in the National Football League. Deke, wife (Gwen), 6 children, their oldest daughter (Kim), husband (Derrick) and 4 children all resides in Georgia. Their youngest daughter, Christian Faith lives in Evansville.
Pastor has a powerful testimony of how God delivered him from a severe crack cocaine addiction March 27, 1990 while traveling in his car from Augusta GA to Newburgh, Ind. The week Pastor John arrived into Newburgh, Ind., his brother (Deacon Al Dennis) invited him to a Revival at Greater St James Missionary Baptist Church in Evansville. Pastor accepted Christ on the 3rd night of the Revival (April 4) and became a member of Greater St James under the leadership of Rev. Douglas Smith and remained there until the Lord led him to Watkins Temple Church Of God In Christ. Within a short period of time (after his conversion) Pastor John received the Holy Ghost June 9, 1990 at a Church District Meeting in Terra Haute, Ind. Shortly afterwards, God called him into the ministry (July 12, 1990.) He accepted his calling into the ministry on October 20, 1990, then preached his trial sermon November 3, 1990 at Watkins Temple Church Of God In Christ (Evansville.) His title was "Keep It Simple Saints." Pastor and Missionary Pam conducted their first Revival in GA during the spring of 1994 and one soul was saved. He was appointed District Evangelist of the BJ Watkins District during the summer of 1994 and ordained during the Holy Convocation, July 24, 1998 in Fort Wayne.
Pastor John had been in the field of Evangelism for several years before God ordained him (July '05) to the office of Pastor. John and Pam are two of God's most dynamic and anointed evangelists of our time. They share the gospel with an electrifying presentation and communicate with unmistakable clarity, while they challenge believers to return to Christ and remain in Holiness. Both flow under a powerful evangelistic anointing, causing them to be effective instruments of deliverance and spiritual breakthroughs.
As devoted and courageous servants, they have traveled the Midwest teaching and preaching under a strong anointing with signs following. Pastor has also spoken on Christian radio stations. Strong deliverance, healings, church growth, and changed spiritual climates in cities marked the overwhelming successes of their meetings. Their anointed messages are attracting a spotlight that go beyond the limits of cultural, gender and denominational barriers. Their life and ministry bears witness to the mercy, the grace, the love, and most of all, the power of God.
Pastor John and Missionary Pam are founders of One Hope 4U Evangelistic Outreach Ministries, which is aired every Sunday at 2:30 PM on THE PUMP RADIO STATION 1400 AM in Evansville. Both served in the youth Department and various other capacities at Watkins Temple, the oldest established Church Of God In Christ in the state of Indiana, until God elevated them as Pastor and 1st Lady of Faith Temple Church Of God In Christ Newburgh, located in beautiful downtown Newburgh, Indiana.
(Information courtesy of the Newburgh Library's History 1876-1976)
