Christ Temple celebrates 80th anniversary

By Dorothy A. Brownlee
Special to Frost Illustrated

FORT WAYNE—Christ Temple Apostolic Church recently celebrated its 80th year of rich history, exemplifying both unique and exceptional involvement within this community. Christ Temple demonstrates magnificently the testimony of what we should expect from a church.

Christ Temple has been active in community services, such as providing clothing, winter coats, a food bank, back to school supplies and more. For many years, Christ Temple has engaged in a vigorous and energetic jail ministry with the Allen County Sheriff Department. The church has a comprehensive substance abuse program, entitled Hope for Life. Christ Temple Community Development Corporation was instrumental in the construction of the Memorial Park Estates, a first-class independent living facility located on Maumee Boulevard. Then what can one say about the Genesis Outreach, a premier transitional home in our community that has no equal?

During the more than eight decades of service, there have been but four pastors: Pastor Eddie Jones, who came to Fort Wayne in the fall of 1928; Pastor Luther Gray, who came in June 932; Pastor Henry W. Jones, who also came in 1932, but succeeded Pastor Gray in April 1944, and current Pastor Elbert C. Haywood, who came in May 1976, but was installed in November 1987. We believed God planted anointed and valiant men in this vineyard at each appointed interval to fulfill a divine destiny.

Christ Temple’s 80th Anniversary Celebrations began Friday, May 29, with the Fort Wayne Community Choir and Christ Temple Praise Team ringing out momentous praises of harmony. The speaker was the dynamic Bishop Donald Golder from Indianapolis.

Saturday night festivities began with a gala banquet at the Fort Wayne Grand Wayne Center. Brother Tim Russell presented the church with a proclamation from the office of Mayor Tom Henry designating May 30, 2009 as Christ Temple’s Day.

Fort Wayne’s distinguished A. Terence Brownlee & Approved featured music of a heavenly descent. The speaker for the evening was the vibrant and energetic District Elder David Birchett from Marioin.

The celebration culminated during the Sunday morning services on May 31. Christ Temple Church Levitical Ministry thundered worship and praises in songs. The renowned national and international Evangelist C. Shawn Tyson pinnacled the services, with numerous members and visitors looking on in awe.

These celebrations were outstanding, so beffiting of the call and the honor. We praise God for being in our very midst and for setting “His Approval” upon every facet of the programming.

Dorothy A. Brownlee is chairlady of the Christ Temple 80th Anniversary Committee.

This is part of the June 17, 2009 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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