United Church I AM - Miami Conference 2015 by Gracious Grafx

History of First United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) in South Florida

First United COJC (Apostolic) in Miami pre-dates most other apostolic churches within its fellowship. Church planting was a caveat of Bishop Sydney A. Dunn. When the Lord gave him the idea of inaugurating the first church in South Florida, it was little wonder that it went forth with the speed and alacrity he assigns to church projects. The genesis of the First United COJC Apostolic in South Florida took shape at a Convocation in Toronto Canada. In a conversation between Bishop Sydney A. Dunn and Elder Charles C. Mullings, the idea of the church project in Miami was discussed. The idea of this project went to the then Presiding Prelate of United COJC, the late Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. for his consideration. After Bishop Saundersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; approval, Bishop Dunn, Overseer Durant Thompson, Overseer Leslie J. Barnes and Elder Charles Mullings journeyed to Miami, They stayed at the Holiday Inn downtown and started the arduous task of finding a location to start the mission. The group contacted one of the saints of England, who was living in Miami Beach with her four children and the search started. A house was located in the North Miami area for Elder Mullings and his family, and the arrangements were made for his relocation. It was in December 1977that Elder Mullings, his wife, and daughter started the journeyed by car from Baltimore to Miami, They arrived January 1, 1978 and awaited the Mayflower truck with their belongings. Thus started the history of the church in South Florida. A few months later the first service was held in a rented facility on N.W. 7th Avenue. Our first Baptism occurred a few weeks after we started. The Duncan family came back to the Lord and their son Bro. Dave, was the first candidate baptized in Jesus Name, in the new church. The church stayed on 7th Avenue for approximately five years and grew. The blessings of the Lord was showered upon us as we received national and international visitors. Some of the notables who visited were: Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr.,

Baltimore, Bishop Sydney A. Dunn, England, Bishop Leslie J. Barnes, New York; Bishop Durant Thompson, Canada,Elder Ernel Lawrence, Elder Izett Scott, Elder Lewis Payne, all from Baltimore, Elder Cleven Jones, Detroit Michigan, Elder Frank Kellier and Elder Ambrose Hines, Jamaica, and Bishop Gerald Edmonds, England. We had many relocations but through it all we could see the hand of God guiding us as we kept the vibrancy of faith and bask in the preached word of God; surrender was not an option. By the time we had purchased a building, the congregation had grown to approximately 60 members. The church dedication brought some of our dearest friends to South Florida for the inaugural ceremonies. We were confident that God wanted this church in Miami. Many saints have been nurtured, watered, and fed by First United Church as they sojourned in the South Florida area. Some of these saints have gone on to start other ministries and are flourishing; to God be the Glory. We are grateful to Dr. G Oliver Barnes, Bishop Dafton James, Bishop Kendrick Peart, Pastor Carlton Smith, Pastor Ansel Drummond and their wives for their labor of love while they were a part of this ministry. Today, we have two branches of the church, one in North MiamiDade and the other in South Miami- Dade. To God be the glory, great things he has done. We have a determination to continue preaching and teaching the word of God and not to deviate from the Good Old Paths. There is a new light in our ministry; finally the idea of praying as the bedrock of the church is taking root. The path looks brighter, the arrow is pointing upwards, and we remain confident that He who started a good thing in us, can finish the work until the day of the Lord. First United COJC (Apostolic) in Miami is here to stay; and we will do everything the Holy Ghost certifies to have the freedom of the Spirit we need to pursue after the souls of men trapped in the quagmire of sin. Our goals are souls. Pray with us.

About Our Pastor... Bishop Charles T. Mullings Our pastor is a man with a heart of Gold. He exhibits kindness with no limits. He epitomizes the practical concept of love and caring. He loves God’s people, and he has an ever-present passion: to be ushered into the presence of the Lord Jesus. Our Pastor is from a very large family on both sides of his progeny. He is the first from his paternal family in his generation that accepted the apostolic doctrine; was baptized in the name of Jesus and received the gift of the Holy Spirit accompanied by speaking in tongues.’ Isaiah said: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I also saw the Lord.” It was after the Commonwealth Games in 1966; Brother Mullings was spending a few weeks with his aunt (Mother Ethel Lewis) in Culloden, Whitehouse, Westmoreland, Jamaica WI. It was at that time that his aunt, who was the first member of his mother’s family to receive the gospel of the apostolic faith, invited him to church. He accepted the invitation, and the rest is history. Bro. Mullings, who was a school teacher, migrated to the United States to seek higher education. “Mr. Higher Education” himself, the late Dr. Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. received Bro. Mullings into the United States. Under the tutelage of Bishop Saunders, Sr. Bro. Mullings blossomed as a Christian. After graduation from college, four years of “Deeper Life Retreat,” a course of study from United Institute of Biblical Studies, and a committed life to our Lord Jesus Christ, Bother Mullings was ordained an Elder.

Elder Mullings met the lovely Sister Gloria Coleman, the love of his life, and soon they were both united in Holy Matrimony. Two years later their first daughter Cerise Asenath was born. Her birth occurred the same weekend her dad was elected National Youth President of United Churches of Jesus Christ (Apostolic). This office resulted in a great deal of traveling; on one of those trips to Canada, he met with Bishop Sydney Alexander Dunn and the genesis of First United COJC Miami received attention. After a vision of the task to be done in Miami, and consultation with the Presiding Bishop Dr. Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. plans were made for the exploration process to begin. Arriving in Miami with his wife Lady Gloria and daughter Cerise, Elder Mullings set out to establish First United COJC (Apostolic). He had many set-backs, but through it all he had an enduring spirit, and he would let nothing turn him around. The church was established, grew and so did his family as Elder and Lady Mullings became the proud parents of Charles, II. Praying has been a passion of Pastor Mullings and finally the church has received this construct and is now praying as never before. This makes the future looks bright; thanks, to the undoubting and unwavering spirit of our Pastor. Pastor Mullings later earned his Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Theology and subsequently a Ph.D. in Philosophy. He was consecrated a Bishop in 1998. He has published his first book: Backsliding Church Organizations, which has raised many eye-brows, criticism from some, and praise from many. His next two books are slated for publication in the fall of 2015. He craves your sincere prayers as he continues his journey into the mind of God.

About Our First Lady... Lady Gloria J. Mullings The lovely Lady Gloria C. is one of the most gracious people you can meet. She is humble, oftentimes taking a back seat while others push to the front. Her husband often speaks of her as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good Person.â&#x20AC;? She is beloved by everyone with whom she comes in contact. In Baltimore where she grew up, she is well known for her goodness and compassion. She was the only young person in the church in Baltimore who consistently went to the hospital on her lunch breaks to visit the sick Lady Gloria was born in Danville, Virginia and was fortunate to have a grandmother who was a Oneness Apostolic convert. She nurtured her first grand-daughter, Lady Gloria, in the apostolic faith. Lady Gloria lived with her parents in Baltimore, but she spent all her summer recess with her grandmother in Danville. The seeds of Pentecost planted in her by her grandmother, came to fruition at the tender age of 16 when she received baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. She spoke in tongues as Holy Spirit entered her, and she was empowered to do ministry under the dynamic man of God, the late Chief Apostle Reverend Dr. Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. After High School, Lady Mullings went to work, first as a Dental Hygienist, and then for her Pastor as the Financial Secretary in the Office of the Presiding Bishop. She was loved by Bishop Saunders and his family because of her love for the Lord, her attention to the sick and suffering, and her impeccable work ethic. She shared in the Holy Ghost experiences of a lifetime under the dynamic leadership of Bishop Saunders, Sr. She went through extensive training at the United Institute of Biblical

Studies, as well as the monthly “Deeper Life Retreat.” While working at the church, Lady Mullings matriculated in Baltimore Community College where she pursued her degree in Urban Planning. Her love, however, was in financial affairs, and she turned her attention to the Credit Union that already established at the Church. She later completed courses in Credit Union Management and graduated from the Florida Credit Union League, in Tallahassee, Florida. This field became her avocation, and she worked in that area until she started and managed the first Credit Union for American Bankers Corporation on Brickell Avenue, now known as Assurant Group. Subsequently, she accepted the position of Assistant Manager of Burdines Employees Federal Credit Union for the State of Florida. In Miami, she stood shoulder to shoulder with her husband as they started the First United Church Apostolic. She worked tirelessly in every aspect of ministry. No task was too menial for her to accomplish. She is an Evangelist, Sunday School Teacher, Associate Pastor and in her words “was born a missionary.” Lady Mullings birthed the Women of Gold & Men of Silver Ministry of First United COJC (Apostolic), with emphasis on recognizing and awarding the Ministry of Helps. Lady Mullings never forget a name or a face. She remembers everyone’s birthday in the church and many in our affiliate churches. She is the Associate Pastor of the Ministry, a praying Lady, and a true worshipper. She praises God for every hill she and her husband have climbed and every valley they have crossed. “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”