Our history begins with a 32-year-old man named Edward Lee Taylor. Edward Lee Taylor had spent much of his life searching for meaning in places that promised fulfillment but ultimately left him feeling hollow.

 

Though he knew very little about the Lord at that time, there was something stirring within him, something he could not ignore. What Edward did not yet realize was that God had been working behind the scenes all along, guiding moments, arranging encounters, and preparing his heart for a transformation that would change the course of his life forever.   The Lord began to deal with his heart, placing within him a deep hunger and thirst for something greater than what this world could offer. As he began sincerely seeking the Lord, God divinely led him and his family in August of 1982 to the First Church of Deliverance in Raymond, under the leadership of Pastor William Cooper.

 

After hearing the powerful preaching of the Word of God, Brother Edward Lee Taylor and his wife, Carlene Taylor, responded in faith and obedience to the plan of salvation according to Acts 2:38. They repented of their sins and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins. In time, God filled them with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.   This life-changing experience marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives—a journey of faith, dedication, and service to the Lord.

 

As time passed, God began to elevate Brother Taylor in the ministry, and he was appointed to serve as a Deacon. Soon after, the Lord began to deal with his heart about preaching the Gospel. After much prayer and seeking God’s direction, Deacon Taylor shared with Pastor Cooper the calling that God had placed on his life.   On April 11, 1985, he answered the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And on July 6, 1986, he was ordained as an Elder.

 

After prayer and counsel with his pastor, he was released to pursue the vision that God had placed within him. With faith in his heart and determination in his spirit, Elder Taylor began searching for a place of worship. During this time, the Lord gave him the name of the church: The New Testament Church of the Apostolic Faith.   Later, after the church was established, God instructed him to add the word Orthodox, and today we proudly stand as: THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF THE ORTHODOX APOSTOLIC FAITH!

 

On April 18, 1994, the Lord blessed this ministry to purchase 12 acres of land for $42,000. Today, that same property is valued at over $500,000. By June of 1994, with the help of faithful members—yes, even the children—the land was cleared for building. By September 1995, the foundation was laid.

And on May 23, 1996, with only eleven faithful working members, the Lord blessed this ministry to complete—and dedicate—this beautiful, DEBT-FREE building to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! Not only that, but the Lord has also blessed this ministry with buses and vans.

 

God has expanded this ministry across the globe, reaching nations such as Nigeria and Cameroon, and even planting ministry connections in Harrisburg; And although one of our faithful soldiers from Nigeria, T. L. Ambek, who helped carry this vision overseas, is not with us today, the mission in Africa has not stopped—it continues to GROW STRONGER.