Our History
God called Rev. Samuel & Lady Loretta Earl to the pastorate in 1976. They founded the Abundant Life Ministry Church. It was the birth of a marvelous ministry that had a strong commitment to honor God. Abundant Life stressed the importance of living a holy life, praying always, and reaching out to people. Under this leadership the church ministered to the need of the brothers and sisters as well as others while using spiritual gifts and talents to honor God and edify the body of Christ.
The first church building was on North & South Rd. was in poor condition, but in 1984, the Lord blessed the Earls and the Abundant Life Ministry family to lease the Grace Lutheran Church in Ferguson, MO for Sunday services & Wednesday bible studies. In 1987, the church built an edifice on Ashby Rd. and we moved into the community of Overland, MO.
In 1992, the Abundant Life Ministry purchased and renovated the current location on Fullerton Ave. The building had previously been a school closed for almost 20 years. However, the church eventually became over-crowded and in 1996, the sanctuary was built as an addition to the existing building.
In 1997, Bishop Clifford and Lady Pamela (Mama) Frazier assumed leadership of the church and The City of Life Christian Church was born. The church grew as the leadership and members practiced the realities and truths that had been learned from the beginning of the ministry. In 2006, Grace New Covenant Church (Pastor Tommie and First Lady Vanassa Harsley) was birthed out of the ministry, and Haven House – City of Refuge (Pastor Michael and First Lady Phyllis Fulks) followed in 2007.
Today under the leadership of Pastor Joe L. and First Lady Doris L. Middleton, "The City" stands as a vibrant, multicultural, progressive, youth oriented church that believes in teaching people the sacrifices Jesus made for man-kind. "The City" stresses what we are commissioned to do by going into the community to tell about God’s goodness and the love Jesus has for us all. At "The City" We Will Love You to Life.
The first church building was on North & South Rd. was in poor condition, but in 1984, the Lord blessed the Earls and the Abundant Life Ministry family to lease the Grace Lutheran Church in Ferguson, MO for Sunday services & Wednesday bible studies. In 1987, the church built an edifice on Ashby Rd. and we moved into the community of Overland, MO.
In 1992, the Abundant Life Ministry purchased and renovated the current location on Fullerton Ave. The building had previously been a school closed for almost 20 years. However, the church eventually became over-crowded and in 1996, the sanctuary was built as an addition to the existing building.
In 1997, Bishop Clifford and Lady Pamela (Mama) Frazier assumed leadership of the church and The City of Life Christian Church was born. The church grew as the leadership and members practiced the realities and truths that had been learned from the beginning of the ministry. In 2006, Grace New Covenant Church (Pastor Tommie and First Lady Vanassa Harsley) was birthed out of the ministry, and Haven House – City of Refuge (Pastor Michael and First Lady Phyllis Fulks) followed in 2007.
Today under the leadership of Pastor Joe L. and First Lady Doris L. Middleton, "The City" stands as a vibrant, multicultural, progressive, youth oriented church that believes in teaching people the sacrifices Jesus made for man-kind. "The City" stresses what we are commissioned to do by going into the community to tell about God’s goodness and the love Jesus has for us all. At "The City" We Will Love You to Life.
Rebirth of the City of Life Church
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We met with Pastor Middleton and First Lady Middleton inside the sanctuary that caught fire in 2014. They discussed the fire, rising from the "ashes," the role of the church in the community, healing, protesting in Ferguson the--Christian way--and the significance of spirituality. |