8 page Program Booklet - Open Door Mortgage Burning - 2017

The Open Door Church of God In Christ-Detroit Proudly welcomes you to our

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25 Years

“Expect a Miracle in 2017, and Don’t Let Anyone Tell You Any Different” Luke 6:38

Sunday February 26, 2017 Service Begins at 12 O’clock Noon The Open Door Church of God In Christ-Detroit 14900 East Seven Mile Road Detroit, Michigan 48205 313.526.3460 Pastor Alan R. Evans Sr., Senior Pastor Missionary Shernetta Evans, First Lady

Order of Service Master of Ceremonies Minister Sean Reed Musical Processional & Flags.................................. Music Department Prayer...................................................................... Missionary Vanessa Bearden Scripture................................................................. Minister Michael Dorsey Praise & Worship Selection................................................................. Open Door Choir “Moment of Silence/Gone But Not Forgotten”..... Mo. Vivian Smith Selection................................................................. Open Door Praise Dancers Moment of ODC History......................................... Mother Rosemary Maddox Moment of ODC History......................................... Elder Howard Hearndon Selection................................................................. Open Door Choir Moment of ODC History......................................... Deacon Ronald Hill Selection................................................................. Open Door Praise Dancers Acknowledgement of Visitors................................. Sis. Tasha Evans Ministry of Giving.................................................... Pastor Evans Introduction of Bishop......................................... Supt. R. K. Benson Northeast Michigan Jurdictional Secretary

Word of God........................................................... Bishop P.A. Brooks Jurisdictional Prelate

First Assistant Presiding Bishop Church of God in Christ, Inc. (Serving Northeast Michigan since 1975)

Mortgage Burning Ceremony................................. Bishop P.A. Brooks Alter Call/Benediction............................................. Pulpit

Statement of Faith We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible written Word of God. We believe that there is only One God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and, God the Holy Spirit.

We believe in the blessed Hope, which is the rapture of the Church of God, which is in Christ, at His return.

We believe that the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

We believe that regeneration by the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation.

We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross provides healing for the human body in answer to believing prayer.

We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it.

We believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy and separated life in the present world.

Responsive Reading During Mortgage Burning Ceremony Minister: “Praise ye the Lord, praise God in His sanctuary: Praise Him in the firmament of His power.”

Congregation: “Bless His Holy Name.”

Minister: “Praise Him for His mighty acts: Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.”

Congregation: “Bless His Holy Name.”

Church History

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25 Years

The Open Door Church of God in Christ-Detroit, also known as ODC, was conceived in the heart of a sincere and holy man of God who has a passion for the word of God and the souls of men. Our founder, Superintendent Pastor Alan Ross Evans Sr, was called to the pastoral ministry at the age of 34, along with his beautiful wife, Missionary Shernetta Evans, while serving as a faithful elder and musician at the New Maclin Temple Church of Open Door C.O.G.I.C. 17140 Hayes Detroit (between Seymour and Spring Garden) God in Christ under the leadership of the late Pastor James M. Maclin Sr. The Holy Spirit lead our Shepard into this ministry from Genesis 12:13:1) “And the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee: 2) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” From Revelation 4:1 came the name Open Door “After this I looked and, behold, a door was opened in heaven; and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.” Through much prayer and fasting the Man of God answered The Great Call and The Open Door Church of God in Christ was founded in December 1992.

Although God had anointed our pastor to form the Open Door ministry it was not without challenges and trials, but it was his unwavering faith in God that allowed him to walk by faith- and not by sight. With less than six families a building was leased at 17140 Hayes, Detroit (between Seymour and Spring Garden). The first service was canceled due to a power outage, but God being sovereign designed for our first service to occur on Sunday, December 29, 1992 at approximately 10am. (Thank God for his faithfulness and for faithful laborers!) Founding families/members are: foremost his First and ONLY Lady Missionary Shernetta Evans and children: Alan Evans II, Sherlana Evans (Hill), Brandi Evans (Haywood), and Rhonda Evans; Mother Ruth Evans and family; Elder Ricky Sykes and family; Rebecca Denise Evans and family; Deacon Ronald Hill and family; and Sis. Sharon Evans (church secretary) and family.

Church History Our first church building consisted of four walls, one bathroom, a tiny hallway and two small rooms, which became the Pastor’s study and the fellowship hall. (The Bible says “despise not the day of small things). As the church began to experience growth, the church was in desperate need of a larger and more adequate facility. The Lord heard the prayers and rewarded the church’s faithfulness by laying on our Pastor’s heart to establish a building fund. The 4th Sunday of every month was designated “Building Fund Sunday” and in one year the church raised $50,000 along with tithes and offerings. Through the leading of the Holy Ghost and the late Superintendent Lori’s Upshaw Sr., Pastor Evans discovered this current facility as a possible church building for the Open Door congregation. In true fashion of how God works, there were challenges and set-backs in acquiring this building, but God…He [God] allowed a millionaire to meet and speak with our pastor in this very building and without any verification of credibility this millionaire sent a $175,000 check to the closing to purchase this building. (How many know from experience that God may not come when you want Him, but He’s always on time!) We held our first service in this new facility in the spring of 1998.

Faith is what has maintained and grown this church ministry and our leaders. God by faith allowed Open Door to continue to acquire property on 7 Mile through these years in this location. We currently own two grass lots on the southeast corner of 7 mile and Queen (which is on the next block) and an annex building on the north side of 7 mile west of Hayes. As a testament of our faithful leaders, God laid it on the heart of our pastor to boldly ask our next door neighbors (Johnny Mack Cookie Factory) to sign over the deed of their facility to the church as there was an economic downturn in 2009. The owner decided to grant his request and the building next door was named the Annie Ruth Evans Multi-Purpose Community Center (AREMPCC), in honor of the mother of our Pastor, and was used as a dining hall and multi-purpose facility for the church and community for the past 6 years. On Tuesday, January 31st, 2017, the AREMPCC building was sold to another ministry and the same week on February 3rd the church mortgage was paid in full at a savings of $35,154.32 Most importantly the Lord has added to this church such as should be saved through the many services, community events, clothing and food giveaways, family and friend/pack the pew days, musical concerts, memorial/funeral services,

Open Door C.O.G.I.C. Church Family 1997

Church History Continued

Present Open Door COGIC-Detroit 14900 East Seven Mile Rd.

ODC Church Family marching from old facility to new 7 Mile location.

tape/cd ministry, and social media. Several ministries within Open Door has been established such as our Drama Department, Liturgical/Mime/Step dance ministry, Evangelist Department, Children’s Church, Youth Department, Media Department and many other auxiliaries and departments. The Lord has also wrought miraculous healing in this ministry and present building. Several members have been healed in the service from cancer and terminal illnesses as well as souls delivered from the power of addiction and other bondages of Satan.

Within the last few years God has continued to show us his favor and blessings. In September 2010, The Open Door Choir recorded our first cd titled “The Secret Place” which features our pastor and first lady as lead vocalists on several of the songs. And in 2015, it should be noted that God’s healing virtue continued to go forth in this ministry by the wondrous healing of our pastor and First Lady. In 2015 our monthly Unity Offering was established, along with the generosity of our dedicated members the Unity Offering has allowed us to do repairs, remodel and update the air condition and heating unit, tile the main sanctuary floors out to the foyer, front chapel, and AREMPCC center foyer, and many other improvements. After which, beginning in 2016, this facility was and is placed on the market for purchase as we are once again walking by faith, seeking a church building to acquire as we continue to expand.

During the 17 years, at our current location we were able to refinance the original mortgage at $215,000.00 and receive $101,000.00 for remodeling and repairs. Bringing the total mortgage to $316,000.00 which was paid in full on February 3, 2017. To God be the Glory!!

Church History Continued Finally let us take heed that faith is and has been our hallmark and it has kept us in ministry these 25 years.

Will this entire congregation sing with me…We’ve come this far by faith…

Our 2017 theme is, “Expect a miracle in 2017, and don’t let anyone tell you anything different.” Finally let us take heed that faith is and has been our hallmark and it has kept us in ministry these 25 years. Will this entire congregation sing with me…We’ve come this far by faith…

“We've Come This Far By Faith” We've come this far by faith Leaning on the LORD Trusting in His Holy Word He never failed me yet Oh' can't turn around We've come this far by faith (Repeat) Verse Don't be discouraged when trouble comes into your life He will bear your burdens oh He will remove all our misery and strife And that's why Chorus Just the other day I heard a man say He didn't believe in God words But I can truly say the lord will make a way he has not failed me yet Chorus

Save the Date Church Anniversary Dinner Friday, Oct. 6, 2017 5:00 pm

MacRay Harbor 30675 N. River Road Harrison Twp , MI. 48045 See Anniversary Committee Members for more information

Today’s service will be available on dvd for a donation of $25.

Please see media department to place an order.

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