Pastor Harris preached an anointed message, “Heirs and Joint Heirs with Christ,” to his wife and two year old son, Levi, in that first service as if he were preaching to thousands. After dismissal, the doorbell rang, and it was the church’s first member, Sister Kimberlee Ritchie with four guests. Pastor Harris smiled as he greeted the new comers and stated, “You’re just in time for our second service.” He got back up and preached again! Within the first five months the membership grew from three (3) to fifteen (15) members. Christ Temple relocated in September 1999 to the Travelodge Hotel in Vallejo (at 2070 Solano Avenue). The hotel had a separate conference room that seated 50 comfortably. An adjoining room was used for children’s church. After a change in hotel management, Christ Temple moved to the New Life Christian Center located at 1925 Solano Avenue. Pastor Nelson Bellamy and his congregation graciously allowed the church to use their facility beginning May 7, 2000. Services were held on Sunday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. The Lord truly “added to the church daily such as should be saved” at this location. Many souls were baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost. The church membership grew from 15 to 30 adult members. Serious about souls being saved and branching out in ministry, Pastor Harris cast forth the vision to move the church. With prayer and the financial support of saints and friends, the Lord blessed Christ Temple to lease a building at 2220 Sacramento Street in May 2002. The saints worked hard to get the facility ready for worship services. The church evangelized the neighborhood with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invites to the new community church went out. Membership at the sacramento st. location grew to 50 members. With a desire to reach more souls for Christ, the Christ Temple family began to hold services at faraggut Elementary School in Vallejo, CA (301 Farragut Ave.) in July, 2006. The members learned to work together as they set up weekly for Sunday School and worship services. Since the inception of the church in 1999, Christ Temple has endeavored to reach the lost and to “bring about an Awareness and Change in the Lives of them that might believe the gospel of Jesus Christ by faith.” In January 2007, Christ Temple Apostolic Church of Vallejo merged with Emmanuel Apostolic Church (900 6th st. Vallejo, Ca) to form Emmanuel Temple Apostolic Church.. Praise God for the GREAT THINGS He has done.
|
Christ Temple Apostolic Church of Vallejo began in the home of
Pastor and First Lady Harris on Resurrection Sunday, April 4,
1999. Seven chairs were purchased and service was held in the
living room of their one bedroom apartment.
