About Us

While praying and seeking the Lord in the month of August 1997, the Lord spoke to me and said, “I’m raising
you up and bringing you forth in Pastoring.” At that time I knew the direction that I had to go. I then
immediately left the prayer room and shared with my wife what the Lord had spoken to me. With a pleasingly
surprised but anticipated acceptance for the call to pastor, my wife rejoiced with the acceptance. I began to
seek the Lord for a name and during prayer; the Lord spoke the name, Twelve Gates Miracle Temple "C.O.G.I.C",
to me. I rushed to tell my wife. She then shared what God had showed her a vision - years before of a name over
a church with the name “miracle” in it. I then asked my wife would she serve as my Assistant, she replied yes.
During that time Brother Ronnie and Sister Kandi Winford had been asking us to teach a weekly bible class.
Upon hearing from the Lord, I immediately began looking for a place to worship. After looking, the Lord led me
to ask the Pastor of New Gresham Methodist Church, Pastor Geraldine Black, where I served as Minister of
Music at that time. With great joy and inspiration, she readily opened the doors for Twelve Gates to come
right in.

On Sunday, October 5, 1997, we held our first official service at 4:00pm in the facilities of New Gresham
Methodist Church. We celebrated the birth of Twelve Gates Miracle Temple C.O.G.I.C. with the 13 members and
over 100 friends, family members and guest.

Twelve Gates Miracle Temple C.O.G.I.C. held its Official Installation Service during the weeks of Wednesday,
December 2nd through Sunday, December 13th, 1998 in the facility of New Gresham Methodist Church, 8700
South Emerald. The installation services ending on December 13th with Elder James W. Campbell, Pastor of
St. James C.O.G.I.C. and officiated by Bishop Samuel Steven McCarthy, Prelate Fifth Jurisdictional, Illinois.

In 1999, the entire church was called into a 50-day fast and consecration where we were seeking the Lord for
direction. We started our weekly Intercessory Prayer in March, which is held on Saturday morning at 9:00am.
In February, we also held our 1st Black History Month Program. In May, we held out 1st Annual Women’s Day,
where my wife Evangelist Janet Goodwin was the speaker. Then in June, we held our 1st Annual Men’s Day,
where Pastor Lorenzo Irving was our guest speaker. In July, we held our First Annual Prayer Breakfast, where
my wife and I went forth together ministering. On July 2nd, we held our first baptismal, where 11 candidates
were baptized. In September, we held our first Youth Sunday, where our guest speaker was Evangelist Darlene
Allen-Nichols. In the same month we also held our 2nd Annual Family and Friends Day, where I the Pastor
ministered God’s word. In October, we held our 1st Miracle Banquet, where Apostle Donald Alford was our
guest speaker.

The year 2000 was a Praying Year. In August, we started our 6:00am phone-line prayer, which is held Monday
through Friday from 6:00am-6:30am. This prayer is still going strong. In 2001, added to the Official Staff were
Deacon Tyrone Henry, Trustee Charles Peeples and Sister Tiffany Henry joined as Church Clerk. Sister Stacey
Gardner became President of our Nurses Board. Also in 2001, Sister Terrie Peeples and Sister Kandi Winford
became Acting Pastor’s Aide Presidents. Brother Jeremiah Barnes joined the musician’s staff.

During the years, the church has prevailed in much prayer and fasting. We concluded the year 2002 with seven
days and seven weeks of fasting and praying, ending with a shut-in every last Friday of the month for the next
seven months.

2003 was a prosperous year for us. We thank God that He has allowed us to raise over $100,000.00 in March of
2003 to purchase of our new church home. Faith releases the power!

The year of 2004 has been a year of promises. We received the seller’s contract for the purchase of our new
church home. Pastor’s vision includes “these walls must come down” – knocking out the sides of the walls of
the pulpit area and extending the pulpit out into the sanctuary, extending the front of the church, new
windows, new carpeting, and adding an annex.

Now that the foundation has been laid, we pray that the vision that God has given me will now go forth. We
believe in faith healing, deliverance and miracles, so I encourage the members to hold on and keep the faith.
Believe, receive and God will perform it today.