In April 1992,
Min. Edna Holt, with the assistance of her daughter Min. Peggy Gatewood, found
what has become Standing on the Promises of God Non-Denominational Church.
Through the urging of the Holy
Spirit, Min. Holt was compelled to begin holding weekly prayer service and
bible study with a few of her family members. At first our meetings were held
in her home, then, as attendance grew, we began to rotate from house to house.
On July 6th of that
year, with approximately 19 members, a licensed minister, (Rev. Larry Holt),
and many willing volunteers we were able to move our services into the trailer
located behind the Holt’s home.
Officers were elected, and our
membership was steadily increasing, so soon we were in need of more space. God
answered our prayers by making available a 10 acre parcel of land with a log
cabin, which we were able to purchase for only $4,000. This is the land that
the church stands on today. Although our funds were almost gone, with joyful
hearts, Pastor Holt and some of the other members went to work on renovating
the building.
Never doubt that God’s word
is true, when he says he’ll pour out blessings. He means it! Soon, donations
of money, building materials, and other supplies came pouring in, and on the 1st
Sunday in January, 1997, we began to hold services in the renovated log cabin
which housed our Sanctuary, classrooms, kitchen and dining area.
We had come a mighty long way,
but God still wasn’t through with us yet, still growing, it became clear
that we would have to build a church.
At 8:00 am July 6, 1998
being led by Pastor Holt, the members and friends of Standing on the Promises
of God Church marched into the sanctuary you see today.
On November 11, 1998, Bro.
Robert D. Holt, one of our first trustees, passed away. We thank God for him
and the work he did. He always had a smile for all he came in contact
with.
The church continued to
grow…………………………….
God allowed us to spread the
good news through the licensing of four ministers:
Minister Edna Holt in 1999
Rev. Peggy Gatewood in 1999
Minister Percy Bishop in
2000
Minister Ayanna Reece in
2002
Continuing to
grow……………………..
Several years after the new
Sanctuary was built, we still had to use the old building as a meeting place
and dining hall. So, we began to raise funds to build a much needed fellowship
hall.
In September, 2003
construction began, and after months of hard work the addition was completed
and dedication services were held on April 18, 2004. Since then, the old
building has been demolished, which has enabled us to enlarge and improve the
parking area.
Time and time again the Lord
has provided for our every need…………. In 2003 we were blessed
with our first deacon and two new deaconesses:
Bro. Mortimer Thompson
Ms. Mozel Thompson
Ms. Kecia Johnson
We now have a “Praise team,"
and our youth choir has grown so much that they have gone beyond just singing
on “Youth Day”.
We’ve been blessed with
musicians who continue to dedicate themselves to their music ministry,
faithfully serving God and this church.
We’ve been able to install a
baptism pool, and more chairs were purchased to complete the sanctuary.
A van was purchased that is
used mostly for youth activities, and a stained glass window has been placed
in the back of the choir stand in memory of trustee Robert Holt Sr.
Our 13th
year…........2005.
1). God blessed us with
increased membership and the membership continues to rise
2). We were blessed
with one Deaconess that joined by membership, Deaconess Carol Ann
Reece and we ordained one new deaconess , Deaconess Doris Booker
3). We ordained two new
deacons, Deacon John Johnson and Deacon Otis Henson
4). We were also
blessed with a new trustee Bro. Edward Holt
Also, in 2005 (on a sad note)
we regretted the passing of the second of our first trustees Bro. Otho
McGhee…. But we would like for it to go down in our history that he
completed his work completely…. Well done!
We continued upgrading all the
things that God blessed us with. It is important to say that we recognize
these things, not to glorify ourselves, but as acknowledgements of the many
blessings that have been bestowed upon us. Our goals are to serve the Lord and
be witnesses for him.
14th year………
During this 14th
year our membership continued to increase:
Bro. Winthrop Reece was voted
in as a new Trustee
Sister Theresa Henson was
appointed as a new Deaconess
Bro. Edward Holt was
appointed as a new Deacon
15th year………
During
the past year our membership has continued to increase:
Bro.
Edward Holt was ordained as a new Deacon
Sister
Theresa Henson was consecrated as a new Deaconess
The
Lord has blessed us with new pulpit furniture
The
Willing Workers Ministry blessed the church with a new Communion set
One
of the most recent accomplishments was the paving of the parking lot
We can truly say, that in
the past 15 years that God has truly blessed this church and people. We
love the Lord and will continue to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus
Christ. By the grace of God, through faith and obedience to his will, we
believe that Standing on the Promises of God Church, as our members say
fondly: “The little church that stands on top of the hill by the side of the
road,” will continue to be a source of renewal for all that desire it.
