Our History

CURRENT PASTOR:
ELDER LUTHER HOLMES

FOUNDING PASTOR:
ELDER ERNEST SMITH

HISTORY OF ECCLESIA COGIC
On February 11, 1989, Bishop Johnie James Johnson appointed Elder Ernest Smith overseer of Ecclesia. During the Workers Conference Meeting in March of 1989, he was appointed as Pastor. The church was then named Ecclesia Church of God In Christ; "The Called Out Ones" by Missionary Emma R. Lewis
and adopted by Pastor Ernest Smith. There were nine families led to be part of Ecclesia. During thesecond worship service held at the Comfort Inn on Broad River Road four additional families were inspired to join the ministry. Since this time many others have felt the leading of God to become a part
of this Great Ministry.God blessed the ministry, and the third worship service was located at our previous building on 7532 Fairfield Road. Pastor Smith worked untiring in the Ministry, organizing all Departments and Auxiliaries through teaching, preaching and praying.
The year of 1990 was a special year to the Ecclesia family. In March of 1990 the church had its first Church Anniversary Celebration, and in April Ecclesia purchased our current 7.3 acreage on 533 Sharpe Road.
The Women’s Department of Ecclesia began its inception with the appointment of Missionary Emma Riley Lewis as its first President. Missionary Lewis had a heart for her pastor and served faithfully within this auxiliary. She had a heart for teaching and held several seminars for the women, such as, “Worker’s in the Ministry and Training to Train.” On the second Sunday in June of 1990 Ecclesia had its first “Annual Women’s Day Service.” 'This service continues today to be a vital part of the Ecclesia Ministry.
Pastor Smith preached "Unification" consistently, where there is unification there is strength. During these awesome years many souls were saved and miracles performed through this anointed man of God. Ecclesia was blessed through his teaching, wisdom and anointing.
Pastor Ernest Smith passed on December 23, 2004. The torch was passed to his spiritual son, Elder Luther Holmes. Jr. Bishop Johnie James Johnson formerly installed Pastor Luther Holmes jr. as Pastor of Ecclesia Church of God In Christ in March of 2005. His focus is completing the VISION of his spiritual father, "Unification and Strength", winning loss Souls and meeting Spiritual needs of People. "Under his pastorate, God allowed the Ecclesia family to break ground on 533 Sharpe Road on December 24, 2005. Through his vision, the Ecclesia family dedicated this sanctuary to God on August 20, 2006.
We have been blessed through his anointing. Pastor Holmes is a visionary who sets high goals and follows through with them. He has a love for people and the community. Ecclesia has embraced the motto of not just being another church in the community. Since his installment, he has implemented an Annual Clothing and Food Give-Away in November, Neighborhood Carnivals, Community Expo & Health Screenings at Crane Creek Elementary and Quarterly Leadership Conferences, to Develop The Leaders Within. Pastor Holmes is an outstanding Preacher and Teacher and we are blessed to have him as our Spiritual Leader over Ecclesia Church of God In Christ.
“There Is No Church, Like This Church, Near This Church, So This is The Church”