Early Years
In the early 1970s, Evangelist Bennie L. Kelly founded the Revival Team, a group that began as a prayer band traveling from house to house to pray. During these times, Evangelist Kelly read the Word of God and expounded on the scriptures as directed by the Holy Spirit. This prayer band grew rapidly because of its strong appeal to young people, who were searching for a relationship with God. Evangelist Kelly invested in the well being of these youth and constantly kept them in church services and revivals. Sometimes she would pack as many as fifteen people in her car because so many young people wanted to go with her to church. She never turned anyone away. Evangelist Kelly ministered at services every night of the week, and usually three or four times on Sundays. She was adamant about keeping the young people who followed her inspired.
Revival Team
After several years, the Revival Team developed into a large number of people. God directed Evangelist Kelly to “fence in the lost sheep of Israel”. In 1977, God led her to Laurinburg, North Carolina to start a church, and Miracle Temple was born. Miracle Temple Church was established on Produce Street in Laurinburg, North Carolina.
The Beginning
This church stood as proof of the fact that we should never despise humble beginnings. Pastor Kelly founded Miracle Temple Church with only nine members; five of which were children. As Pastor Kelly continued to preach the Gospel, the faith of her congregants continued to grow. The new church was a small, one-room building, with none of the necessary amenities one would normally associate with a church. As a matter of fact, the members had to carpool to the local store to use the restroom. Signs, miracles, and wonders were wrought in every service. In some services, the small building would be so packed, that people would stand outside to hear the word of God. Often, people would praise God in the adjacent fields. The congregants were often slain in the Spirit, so that they had to be carried to their cars.
Foundation
Soon, God directed Pastor Kelly to move the fledgling congregation to Fayetteville, North Carolina. The Holy Spirit led Pastor Kelly to purchase a sanctuary being vacated by the Comfort Presbyterian Church, and the Miracle Temple Church was moved to its present location at 1070 Winslow Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Growth
Although it was already in existence, the Holy Deliverance Church of God was officially chartered on March 25, 1980. Shortly thereafter, Faith Deliverance Temple HDCOG began under the leadership of Pastor Veorah B. Davis. In 1984, Southern Christian (now Christian Family Worship) joined the organization. The establishment of the Miracle Temple Holy Deliverance Church of God, Liberia launched the Holy Deliverance Church of God international ministry.
Today
The Holy Deliverance Church of God continues to grow and currently includes churches in Alexandria, Virginia; Rolla, Missouri; Atlanta, Georgia; Mainz Kastel, and Landstuhl, Germany; and West Africa.
This organization is committed to winning the world for Christ
through evangelism and ministry outreach |
