MOUNT BETHEL APOSTOLIC CHURCH

Bishop James Z. Townsend was inspired of the Lord to begin ministering in 1977 at Mount Zion Apostolic Church, under the leadership of the late Bishop James O. Franklin.

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In 1985, the Lord began dealing with Bishop's heart to become a pastor. Bishop Townsend's desire was to be an evangelist. The Lord continued to influence him. Bishop Townsend spoke with other pastors about this awesome responsibility. After much prayer and supplication, he yielded to the Lord's call.

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March 17th, 1985, Mount Bethel Apostolic Faith Church was incorporated. With his wife by his side; his mother, Sister JamesAnna Townsend; the late Deacon Willie Goudeau and Sister Florence Goudeau: Deacon and Sister Larry Glass; and their children, the journey began.

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Bishop Townsend and the members had their first service in the basement of Deacon and Sister Goudeau's home. His first message was entitled, "Mix It with Faith" Hebrews 4:1-2. Bishop wanted us to know that the Lord was going to bless us with a building to worship in. The next Sunday we moved to the living room of Bishop and Lady Townsend's home. the following week, someone told Bishop about a pastor who was moving out of a school room located at 34th and Emerson. After speaking with this pastor, he [the pastor] was compelled of God to leave the room furnished with everything needed to begin the church. On March 31st, 1985, we moved into the school room. The Lord blessed us tremendously. Many souls came in and received the Holy Ghost. The only item we did not have was a baptism pool. Suffragan Bishop Joseph Farris allowed us to use Zion's baptismal pool any time the need arose.

 

Bishop Townsend continued to preach and teach the word of God. He preached to the beginning seven members as if there was a church full of people. We resided in the school room for two and a half years until it was completely full. We had to find another building.

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July 1987, we were blessed to purchase Jerusalem Temple, located at 2502 N Sangster Ave. The Lord blessed in our services and souls continued to be saved. Bishop always told the members that the Lord would bless us with whatever we needed, just wait on the Lord!

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We were able to pay the entire mortgage in two and a half years. July 21st, 1991, we had our Mortgage Burning Service. In 1997, Bishop Townsend began speaking to the church about buying or building another church. Our membership had outgrown the facility on Sangster.

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January14th, 2000 we were blessed to purchase Gateway Baptist Church, located at 2120 N Pasadena St. On March 26th, 2000, we celebrated our Grand Opening of our new church home where we currently worship today.

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We give all the praise and thanks to God for what He has done in the history of our church - truly this is the Lord's doing; and it is marvelous in our eyes!