First Church of our Lord Jesus Christ: growing and serving the neighborhood

despite controversial views, a crippling pandemic and civil unrest, First Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. continues to develop with a focus on the Bible and holiness.

based within the basement of his folks home in 1984,Pastor Gino Jennings noted First Church of our Lord Jesus Christ has sustained itself with the aid of instructing individuals to reside their lives according to Biblical principles.

“We trust firmly in what the scriptures say, we consider and admire the legislations provided that the legislation doesn’t contradict Biblical concepts….a person should work to deal with his household, may still respect God and be well mannered,” Jennings stated. “We don’t feel the female should be abused in any form.

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“We don’t permit brothers to feature or hold office as ministers if [they] are unwilling to take care of [their] family unit or are abusive to [their] wife. We trust in very strict discipline in raising infants. We accept as true with a robust home constitution should be trained and applied [and] that should be smartly demonstrated in the church environment.”

contributors pointed out Jennings’ stance has been key in the church’s success. however there was some controversy for certain views, together with these on homosexuality and women. one of the crucial great incidents turned into in 2018 when Jennings got here beneath hearth for comparing ladies who wore make-up and likely clothing styles, to [whores] and prostitutes.

“neatly, it isn’t because of what they were donning.” Jennings observed. “The Scripture describes a [woman] called Jezebel. arising, my mama advised me to avoid women that appeared like Jezebel. It wasn’t best a look, it changed into a personality. That’s now not what makes a prostitute â€" it’s her moves,” pointed out Jennings.

“The Bible speaks of donning paint on the face. We encourage ladies to love themselves the style they are. beauty can not be bought in a shop or wrapped in a jar. We need ladies to love themselves and not be influenced through the media. Your natural attractiveness is what God gave you. here is what we strongly promote for our women to like themselves from a Biblical point of view.”

speaking on homosexuality, Jennings noted: “It’s written â€" God made the lady for the person. Society can't event grow with out a man and lady. The Scripture has always been against it. Homosexuals visit the church… however I cannot advise it. The only approach i can alternate my view is if you get God to exchange what he mentioned within the Scriptures.”

Cyndi Rawlings, a member for 21 years, shared her view on the feedback made about women.

“if you don’t know a component, it’s going to offend you. in the scriptures, we are taught that a girl should still costume in modest attire,” Rawlings mentioned.“individuals suppose, ‘If I come to church, i will are available in any means however when you are taught the relevant method to costume as a woman â€" some kick in opposition t it, some discover it elaborate to change however it’s as much as the individual.

“He turned into giving them an illustration of what they gave the impression of and because he's so [straightforward], he speaks the language they take note. That’s what makes them upset. The observe hoe, that’s the normal be aware at the moment. If he would have observed harlot, people would’ve pointed out ‘what are you speaking about?’ That’s what troubled them and they instantly noted he observed they had been [whores] He observed they looked like one.”

Rawlings observed it changed into also challenging for her to digest the teachings when she started attending First Church. although, she and her husband eventually selected to be baptized and worship there as a result of its guide on how people should still are living.

“We idea it was the neatest thing for the reason that sliced bread,” she pointed out. “It was significant to our event. [Initially], it turned into rough because it became totally contrary of what we have been used to, which become [doing] what you wanted as long as you confirmed up at church on Sunday.

“the brand new method we learned is that God’s option to salvation is through holiness. We never heard of holiness, all we heard changed into Baptist, Jehovah Witness, Apostolic â€" all church buildings we attended, none of them have been within the scriptures. That was hard as a result of as we discovered the manner of holiness, it changed into totally contrary of how we name ourselves. It changed into just absolutely different â€" the manner you gown, the style you speak, the manner you pray, how crucial it became to be baptized, how you should repent first. I by no means knew I needed to repent before I obtained baptized.”

Ron Skotleski, a member for greater than two decades and First Church’s media producer, brought up a similar view. He all started his adventure there as a tv producer.

“i used to be doing his programming and i grew with him,” Skotleski observed. “I listened to his message. it all made so a whole lot feel, I said I’m now not going to be Catholic [anymore]. Then, I obtained baptized. What [Jennings] says is logical. His message is awfully potent. It’s all from the Bible, Pastor Jennings strictly follows the Bible.”

Skotleski delivered that here's the motive First Church has realized the growth it has, with satellite places in 19 states and 13 countries, and an improved demand for his or her media.

“For over the 22 years I’ve been doing construction, the church has grown,” he spoke of. “We were doing one video a week.Now, I send out 50 in a single week to diverse television stations. They go onto native tv channels. We ship it to Africa, Malawi, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands. It’s all over the place the area now.”

As for online content, Skotleski spoke of they’ve considered an audience enhance on account that the beginning of the pandemic. The final Sunday they webcasted earlier than churches shut down drew “790” viewers. Now, they are “averaging 8,000” between two Sunday services.

“It just went bananas, the subsequent week …when each person started shutting down as a result of coronavirus.,” he noted. “They crucial a preacher and located him. This church has grown as a result of people want the truth.”

First Church has been open during the pandemic, but with particular guidelines. simplest a definite number of members are allowed within the sanctuary. They should wear masks and gloves, and overflows might possibly be sent to a room to observe the service.

Rawlings said the fellowship is overlooked but that “salvation” can nonetheless turn up even if one is not interior the church.

“just as a result of we will’t go into the building that doesn’t mean you lose your salvation,” she pointed out. It does consider good to be in the church with brothers and sisters praising [but] which you can sing to the Lord to your apartment.”

whereas they aren't within the sanctuary, Rawlings wired that they are still working “always” within the workplace.

“because of the size of the church, we have so many different departments, we've so many issues at all times happening,” she observed. “we now have brothers and sisters answering phones and questions.

“we now have so many calls coming in a day- americans need to get baptized. all of us be aware of there’s a aim at the back of the job we're given to assist the ministry roll easily. We have to work collectively.”