Church History

Psalms 34:8- “O Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusted in him.”

Psalms 33:11-12- “The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

God always has had a mandate of particulars of this and not that for His holiness and righteousness and plans that must be carried out articulately and circumspectly.

In October 1977, two cities would give up their claims to people predestined to become God’s elect. Jacksonville and Gainesville saints were beckoned by the Holy Ghost to attend revival services hosted by Pastor Dosha Shade in Gainesville, Florida. In this damp humble place of abode, God sent a servant in our season (Psalms 1:3) to prosper us and to gather a people that were not included in the religiosity persuasion. They were hungry hearts that had made up their minds to jump on the band wagon of God’s faith, to ride and be driven by the whole counsel of the truths of God (Rev 5:9-12). The revival services beckoned everyone into “Heaven’s Best”. We were literally captivated as the word of God, the gifts of the spirit, orchestrated by the anointing, changed lives, healed hurts, took away pain and sorrows that caused yokes; reviving us, delivering us, and putting us where God wanted us to be. We were made free from dogmatic doctrines of men that caused us to be war-torn and spiritually misfitted. Later, other revivals ensued with Apostle and Prophet Samuel D. James yielding himself to bring salvation, deliverance, restoration, and hope. God visited Florida through this Human Mosaic to people that had been abandoned by Preachers called Hinders of the Truth. After those services were conducted, the “chaff” went away and God’s will was done. The elected seed has been rescued and found their place with the Evangelistic Pentecostal Churches (Worldwide) Incorporated under the Apostleship of Dr. S. D. James and under “Theocratic Rule” as citizens one nation under God. Grace re-wrote our lives.

Mother Velma Woulard and Missionary Betty G. Mobley of whom the Lord inspired, heard the Lord say ‘when the building is found call the place of worship “Lighthouse”.’ Mother Katie Waters, Sister Pauline Hill, Evangelist James Woulard, and Evangelist Paula (Woulard) Ballard, were instructed to return to their cities and labor in prayer for the elect seed in the surrounding areas. Mother Velma Woulard, Missionary Betty Mobley, Sister Pauline Hill, and Mother Katie Waters prayed in Gainesville while the Woulards (James and Paula) went to Jacksonville to fast and pray. Evangelist Paula (Woulard) Ballard was led of the Lord to Putnam Hall, Florida where revival broke out. God had a plan. Saints from Melrose, Florahome, and Grandin yielded to God’s call on their lives to come higher and they also agreed to partake of this more excellent way. As prayer continued fervently in Gainesville, house services were set-up for the saints in the home of Bro. Dorian Page and Minister Beverly Page. The order of services were in accordance with the E.P.C. Discipline “Upon This Rock”. Gainesville saints traveled to Putnam Hall and we kept one another exhorted and strengthened in the faith. We now remained faithful because we trusted that God would reward us with a Pastor to shepherd us, the flock.

God is true to His Word, in 1979, after fasting, praying, and earnestly trusting the Lord, our prayers were answered, as the criteria of leadership was met with “Givers of Life, Defenders of the Faith” of Jesus Christ. God’s plan for us rolled out. God would place human soil, fresh, that was willing and surrendered to season the soil. God then took from foreign human soil, capable hands to give life to anyone that receives Jesus Christ with his husbandry wisdom to break up fallow ground, form and execute vessels of valor. Men that are “Badges of Honor” in their own rites, to take on the task of Pastorship and to lead, train, direct, comfort, give sight, and insight to people He chose to be provided with quality, completeness, His standards and way of life. “It takes a Shepherd to know a Shepherd”. From near and from as far as Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa, these men were commissioned to tend the flock of God and to increase the light by the means of the Gospel. They are “Keepers of the Flame” and the “Smoking Flax”— from Pastor and Elder Theodore B. Smith from Orlando, Florida, through Pastor, Elder and Evangelist Tommie Lee Harvey from Gainesville, Florida, to our present Ambassador, Pastor, Elder, and Bishop of the Florida area, Kwaku A. Tenah from Ghana, West Africa.

Lighthouse E.P.C. has undergone the scourges of verbal lashings, pointing of the evil fingers, and even shame. Every time the enemy tries to divide us, we heal our wounded, gird up our loins with the chains of absolute truth, strengthen our lights, and hold our lanterns high for the Will of Jesus Christ to be done. We have decided to occupy and therein abide.

In the year of 1993, the Lord opened the door that we might begin plans to work toward the acquisition of our own sanctuary. Numerous building funds and projects were undertaken and personal pledges were made. With prayer, guidance, and leadership of Apostle S.D. James, Bishop K.A. Tenah spear-headed the search and acquisition of the sanctuary. On August 19, 1994, the property located at 625 S. E. 25^th Street was purchased and the conveyance of the title to this property was made to us. The saints of Lighthouse E. P.C. took possession of this property on August 28, 1994. As we are met today we rejoice that the hour has come when our hopes and visions for an adequate house for the worship of God are realized. Even so, let us give thanks unto the Lord.

We set apart this house to the worship of the living and true God, and to the service of Jesus Christ our Lord. Here shall the incense of prayer and praise ascend to God. Here shall the ordinances of the Lord’s house be sacredly observed. Here may children of sin and sorrow find a refuge from despair and ruin, and Christians a harbor to which they can resort when the tempest is high, and be safe. And may God graciously accept this offering of a house in His name—an offering made by grateful hearts and willing hands—and bless every heart that shares in this gift. To the glory of God, our Father, by whose favor we have acquired this house; to the honor of Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God and our Savior; to the praise of the Holy Ghost, source of life and light. For worship in prayer and song; for the ministry of the Word; for the observance of the holy ordinances. To the sanctification of the family; to the training and nurture of childhood; to the inspiration of youth and the salvation of all. To the help of the needy; to the promotion of brotherhood; to the extension of the kingdom through the whole wide world. And now, Lord, “establish thou the work of our hands”, we pray thee.