Who We Are
Woodlawn Church began in Detroit in 1932
with the Rev. T. Ben Jones leading the first congregation. Sometime
in 1933, church services were started in a hall on Clay Avenue. In
1935, a young woman, Nollie Messer, opened her home for church
services led by the Rev. John Lemke. In late 1936, they were moved
to a hall on Bethune Street in Detroit. In early 1937, a group
began services of their own in a converted store front on Oakland
Avenue in Detroit. Silas Sugg, treasurer, went out seeking a
building for a church and he found a restaurant and soon they were
holding their meetings there.
In 1946, Herbert Streeter and his wife came to
Woodlawn Church to fill in, and eventually was named senior pastor. It was a small
congregation of 45 when they met in a home on 11 Mile at Williams
Street. The congregation outgrew their quarters within two years and
in 1948, a new location was found at 13 Mile and Glendale Street. In
1958, the church moved into a brand new facility on Rochester Rd. at
Woodlawn and became known as Woodlawn Church of God.
Ernie Woolner served as senior pastor from 1975
to 1989. Chris Harrell was pastor (1989-1991) when the church
dedicated its new domed sanctuary in the spring of 1991. Dr. R.
Michael O’Mire has been the senior pastor at Woodlawn since 1992 and
oversaw a complete renovation/construction that updated and added to
our educational and kids church areas.
Woodlawn Church is an independent
non-denominational church, and we hold our own 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
status.
Pastors: T. Ben Jones, 1932-1935; John
Lemke, 1935-1944; Edgar Busch, 1944-1946; Dr. Herbert A. Streeter,
1946-1975; Ernest Woolner, 1975-1989, Chris Harrell, 1989-1991; Dr. R.
Michael O’Mire, 1992-present.
What We Believe
We believe the Bible to be divinely inspired, an all sufficient
guide for salvation and holy living, and the infallible authoritative
Word of God. (II Timothy 3:16) We believe that there is one God,
eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(I John 5:6-8)
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin
birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and
atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection,
in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal
return in the power and glory. (I Corinthians 15:3-4, I Peter 2:18-24,
and John 3:16)
We believe that for salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration
by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. (Romans 3:21-30, and
Galatians 4:4-7)
We believe that the new birth makes one a member of the Church
Body. (Acts 2:47)
We believe in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit as a definite experience
subsequent to salvation with the normative evidence of speaking
with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and empowerment
for ministry. (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46, and Acts 19:6)
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost;
that they are saved unto the resurrection of life; and that they
are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:24, 28 and
29)
We believe that the physical healing is provided for in the atonement,
and is the privilege of all believers. (Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 8:16-17,
Mark 16:18, James 5:14-15, and I Peter 2:24)
We believe in the imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. (John 14:3, I Thessalonians 4:13-18, and Revelation 22:20)
Purpose
Statement
Woodlawn Church exists to evangelize, bringing people to Jesus,
enlist them as members, educate them to Christ-like maturity, and
equip them for their ministry in the church and life mission in
the world, in order to exalt God.
Board
Of Trustees
In addition to being the Body of
Christ, Woodlawn Church is a nonprofit corporation in accordance with the
laws of our land. The Board of Trustees
oversees the financial and legal responsibilities of the church. Every
effort is made to provide an organizational framework that will provide
financial accountability without inhibiting the moving of God's Spirit.
Pastoral
Staff
The
Pastoral Staff functions in support of the
senior pastor and consists of staff ministers and office personnel. These
staff members are generally responsible for the day-to-day operations
of the church and direction of their ministry area.
Senior
Pastor
A part of God's care for Woodlawn Church involves the giving of the gift
of a pastor (Eph. 4:8-11) He has been placed in the body as the shepherd
to serve by leading, feeding, protecting, and equipping the saints for
the work of the ministry.
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