“It's God's will for my life, nothing more-nothing
less!" This powerful phrase over the years has become the centerpiece
of our lives and the righteous resolve of our church.
From our humble beginnings it was the will of God
which called us and sustained us. The joy of setting up The Holy
Christian Church International began June of 1999 when six persons,
not including children, attended the first Bible study. These studies
were held once per week in hotel ballrooms. Gradually, families began
to come and hear the Word of God and the vision of the church. Over
the next year, the attendance was stable but the increase had not
yet come. Eventually, the services were held in the living room of
Bishop Felton's home until suitable space could be secured. Bishop
Felton ministered the Word from the dinette area of the kitchen and
First Lady Felton led praise and worship from CD tracts. The people
tightly congregated in the lower living room and office area while
children's church was held in the basement. It was here that the
church grew; in numbers, intimacy, and favor with God. Sinners were
saved and added to the church weekly. Everyone enjoyed the closeness
which was associated with being in a home, but it was time to secure
a building.
The Lord revealed to Bishop Felton that a building
in Coon Rapids, which he previously attempted to get, was the place
to move our ministry. The church began to stand together in prayer
and financial support for the purchase of this property. The odds
were against us but God was for us! Collectively through prayer,
we began to believe that all things were possible with God. In the
services during offering time Bishop Felton would joyfully declare, "We
are moving into our new building!" The response would be a glorious
praise unto God and generous giving. On June 28, 2001, the real estate
purchase was made.
After two years, we outgrew this Coon Rapids facility,
and relocated to the spacious Mounds View Community Center to accommodate
our growth. Again, collectively through prayer, we began to believe
and expect from God that we would be able to purchase a facility
that would accommodate our growing congregation. From Mounds View,
we transitioned to a large church building in Minneapolis. And then
on November 5th, 2006, we experienced the excitement of holding our
first worship service in our current church building here in Saint
Paul.
From our origin of six people in hotel ballrooms
to over a thousand people at our beautiful and historic cathedral,
we give God the glory for the great things He has done - and has
yet to accomplish. For The Holy Christian Church International, THE
BEST IS YET TO COME!
