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The Journey of the Fellowship
“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:9 NKJV
The journey of the Bethlehem-Judah Christian Fellowship Family has been a walk of faith and a call in the spirit of our leader, Pastor/Evangelist Anthony W. Gilyard. It was a beautiful day, Sunday, November 17, 2002 that the seed was birthed. Pastor, along with eleven others, had their first official service as a church at the Kenilworth Inn, Kenilworth, NJ. Faithful, steadfast, and determined to build a “Nation” unto the Lord, the Evangelist preached his first sermon as a Pastor, “Never Lose Your Ability To Hear”, from the theme scripture of the ministry Ruth chapter one. A room that was set up to hold 80 people soon filled to capacity with an overflow of people hungry for a new experience in the Lord. Through this service, we witnessed souls saved and reclaimed for the Kingdom of God, most of who are still with us today.
As we continue to press and build ministry, we suffered many attacks from the outside, but through this God was building the house inside. During our first year many great feats have been done in the name of the Kingdom of God. The “Spirit of Excellence” has been consistently displayed in every endeavor from our first Christmas Dinner to our first Music event, to our various Conferences, which is an example of all God can do through willing vessels from eleven to over one hundred adults and youth within one year – “Only God”!
After ten months of dealing with the challenge of being in the hotel, moving equipment in the heat, snow and rain, through God’s providence we have been shown kindness from our Prelate Bishop William T. Cahoon, the Board and members of New Reid Temple, COGIC to allow us to share their building. This became our temporary place of worship while we believed God to bless us with our own “promised land”
In April 2008, we “possessed our promised land”. Only five years after the birth of Bethlehem-Judah, God favored and blessed us to facilitate the purchase of a $1.5 million dollar worship facility and administrative offices facility, in Elizabeth, NJ. Hundreds across all ethnic backgrounds gather on a weekly basis for worship and the Word of Lord. Once again we declare-“Only God”!
We rejoice in our God for allowing His favor to shine upon us that we may further the up-building of his Kingdom.
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About BJCF 
