Church History

The assembly in Sumter, South Carolina began under the leadership of Elder David S. Johnson in 1991. The first service was held at the Park Inn in Sumter. The saints from the Hopkins assembly gathered to render that first service; the mission moved to a meeting room at the Holiday Inn and subsequently to a building on East Liberty Street. In the spring of 1992, we moved to our present location at 219 Crescent Avenue.
The first members were Sisters Kathy Boyd, Sister Lucille Prince, Deidre Butler, Lucile McCutchen, Coralette Scriven, Sadie Robinson, and Brother Tony Butler. In addition Sister Elizabeth English, Sister Janie Davis, and Sister Tamara Myers transferred from the assembly in Hopkins.
Elder Melvin Wallace, Elder Eli Kye, Elder Thomas Williams, and Elder Richard McGowan became Ministerial Assistants. In 1998, Elder McGowan began his own ministry. Elder George Dennis, Elder Thomas J. Smith, Elder Melvin Wallace, Elder Henry Watson, and Elder Thomas Williams, began assisting Elder David S. Johnson with carrying on the services.
In September 1999, Minister Ricky Finklea began attending the Sumter assembly. In 2000, Minister Ricky Finklea transferred from the Bishopville assembly to Sumter and began assisting Elder David Johnson in the weekly services. Minister Finklea came from a church where he was familiar with hard work (Mullins). He immediately began to clear the vacant lot next to the church as well and keep up around the church. He worked many late hours into the morning to make the house of God more presentable. In 2002, the Lord gave him a vision for renovating the house of the Lord. The following works were set in motion: The building was painted inside and outside, purchased new cushioned chairs, new lighting, landscapring, trees were cleared from the adjacent vacant lot, and the pulpit was enlarged.
In July 2003, Minister Finklea was ordained Elder and in August 2003, he was appointed Pastor of the assembly in Sumter, South Carolina. Just recently the church has purchased property next to our present location which includes two houses and one vacant lot. We are in the process of making plans to extend our present building, which will include two restrooms, office space, classrooms and a baptism room.
The Lord has truly showered His blessings upon this ministry. We solicit your prayers as we continue to progress in the Lord Jesus Christ both spiritually and naturally.
The assembly in Sumter, South Carolina began under the leadership of Elder David S. Johnson in 1991. The first service was held at the Park Inn in Sumter. The saints from the Hopkins assembly gathered to render that first service; the mission moved to a meeting room at the Holiday Inn and subsequently to a building on East Liberty Street. In the spring of 1992, we moved to our present location at 219 Crescent Avenue.
The first members were Sisters Kathy Boyd, Sister Lucille Prince, Deidre Butler, Lucile McCutchen, Coralette Scriven, Sadie Robinson, and Brother Tony Butler. In addition Sister Elizabeth English, Sister Janie Davis, and Sister Tamara Myers transferred from the assembly in Hopkins.
Elder Melvin Wallace, Elder Eli Kye, Elder Thomas Williams, and Elder Richard McGowan became Ministerial Assistants. In 1998, Elder McGowan began his own ministry. Elder George Dennis, Elder Thomas J. Smith, Elder Melvin Wallace, Elder Henry Watson, and Elder Thomas Williams, began assisting Elder David S. Johnson with carrying on the services.

In September 1999, Minister Ricky Finklea began attending the Sumter assembly. In 2000, Minister Ricky Finklea transferred from the Bishopville assembly to Sumter and began assisting Elder David Johnson in the weekly services. Minister Finklea came from a church where he was familiar with hard work (Mullins). He immediately began to clear the vacant lot next to the church as well and keep up around the church. He worked many late hours into the morning to make the house of God more presentable. In 2002, the Lord gave him a vision for renovating the house of the Lord. The following works were set in motion: The building was painted inside and outside, purchased new cushioned chairs, new lighting, landscapring, trees were cleared from the adjacent vacant lot, and the pulpit was enlarged.

In July 2003, Minister Finklea was ordained Elder and in August 2003, he was appointed Pastor of the assembly in Sumter, South Carolina. Just recently the church has purchased property next to our present location which includes two houses and one vacant lot. We are in the process of making plans to extend our present building, which will include two restrooms, office space, classrooms and a baptism room.

The Lord has truly showered His blessings upon this ministry. We solicit your prayers as we continue to progress in the Lord Jesus Christ both spiritually and naturally.