Door of Hope

CHURCH HISTORY

A Historical Overview: The Door of Hope Christian Church

The Door of Hope Christian Church came into existence by the providence of God. In the spring of 1991, Elder Michael Blue received a word from the Lord while in prayer. Revelation 3:8, Behold, I have set before thee an open door He concluded from this that God was saying that his ministry was about to take a new direction and dimension. And indeed his ministerial outreach and opportunities did broaden greatly that year. He preached in various areas and ministered musically with different choirs, founded the Chosen Generation community choir, and began to share in a weekly Bible study in Marion, SC, while continuing in a Bible study at the Sellers Chapel Baptist Church, Sellers, SC. It was also in that year (on June 8) that Elder Blue became husband to the former Malinda J. Tarte, of Camden, NJ. 1991 would prove to be an even more momentous year.

Elder Blue had met Mrs. Diane Davis through their mutual employment at Marion High School, and she told him of her sister who desired to have a Bible study in her home. After other family members had become acquainted with Elder Blue, it was agreed that he would teach this Bible study. On Thursday, August 22, 1991, the study began, in the home of Mr. Briscoe & Mrs. Rosena Davis. The study of the Word revolutionized the lives of those who attended, and they in turn invited others to come and receive. Mr. & Mrs. Ernest and Diane Davis, and Mr. & Mrs. Raymond and Diane Timmons also opened their homes to facilitate the Bible study.

As time went on, a bond began to develop among these students of the Word, and they became to see themselves as a family ---a church family. Moreover, some students began to express their desire that a permanent fellowship might be established where the Word of God might be taught on a continual, uninhibited basis. Elder Blue very cautiously waited for a sense of Gods direction in this new prospect. (Meanwhile, some students were already seeking a building in which to hold services.) Finally, believing that he had ascertained the will of God, Elder Blue called a meeting. The group of about fourteen adults met and entered into a covenant to be a church, a local assembly of the Body of Christ.

Trustees (Brothers Briscoe Davis, Ernest Davis, and Raymond Timmons) and secretaries (Sister Diane Timmons and Cassandra McClellan) were selected, and Elder & Mrs. Blue were accepted as the pastors of this new church. The place for meeting was secured: 213 North Pine Street, Marion. The financial transactions were made; the trustees led the renovation effort, and on February 21, 1992, the first service was held. On that day, over thirty people, including men, women, and children, formally joined the church. Thus the unfolding of the vision commenced.

Since that time, the Lord has added to the church, in quality and quantity. Lives have been changed, bodies have been healed, and the oppressed have been set free by the power of God. A hallmark of this ministry has been the young people who have found God to be relevant, even in a young life. Praise, worship, prayer, love, commitment  to the preaching and teaching Word, holiness, compassion for the needy, faith for the supernatural--- all of these have characterized the spirit of The Door of Hope Christian Church. (Also, many visits and fellowships to other ministries, annual church family visits to amusement parks, eating heartily, and laughing hard have also been a part of this churchs life.)

This does nearly encompass all that has transpired in these years of this fellowships existence. Associate elders, ministers, deacons and numerous other officers labor with the Pastors in serving this growing congregation. In December of 1997, Elder Blue was consecrated to the bishopric.

After nine years of worshipping on Pine Street in the storefront, the Lord granted us a Rehoboth experience: He made room for us. The Door of Hope Christian Church Worship and Ministry Center, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, was dedicated March 17, 2001. The Pastors and the membership fully acknowledge that it is not by might nor by power, but by Gods precious Holy Spirit.

In the book of Hosea, God promised restoration to His people. He said that he would give them the valley of Achor for a Door of Hope (Hosea 2:15). Achor means trouble, and in this day Gods promise is the same. Through this community, this nation, and this world have been made valley, a low place filled with trouble, the Lord said that He would use that same valley, that same low, depraved, depressed place as a DOOR. He has declared that this ministry would be a portal: an entrance and an exit--- a way out of the bondage of sin and Satan, and a way into the abundant life of the Kingdom of God. And God has been faithful: The Door is open, and His work goes on.