HOLY HILL CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST
Who shall dwell in thy Holy Hill?
OUR ROOTS
The Holy Hill Church of God in Christ which was formerly called the “Temple of Faith – Mission Number One” began with unction from God to our Pastor, Elder Moses Ray in November of 1987.
After much prayer, fasting and meditation, the Lord led Elder Ray to speak to his pastor (Elder Thomas L. Frazier) concerning the instructions that the Lord had given him. In August 1988, Elder Ray left the Temple of Faith C.O.G.I.C. to begin his own work as God has commanded. Upon leaving his former church, Elder Ray was joined by Elder Johnny L. Blunt, who wanted to help work the field of un-harvested souls.
Elder Ray told the Lord that he would like to work with poor people. He chose the poor because they seemed to be a forgotten people, and he was mindful of God’s word in James 2:5, Harken, my Beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Elder Ray was seeking the satisfaction of knowing that many souls would be delivered to God in righteousness, especially the poor. Elder Ray’s sincere desire was to work with the people of the Carver Homes Area, especially the children. He wanted to reach the children before the drug traffickers and the drug abusers could get them. Elder and the late Missionary Betty C. Ray and Elder and Missionary Johnny Blunt went into the neighborhoods knocking on doors, passing out tracts, and declaring Jesus to be Savior.
While witnessing and passing out tracts, several prayer meetings were formed in Carver Homes. The most notable was in the home of Ms. Carrie Stiggers where the Lord met them there while they prayed for the area.
The present location was formerly the True Gospel Lighthouse. The Lord gave the building to Elder Ray and it became the Holy Hill Church of God in Christ. While in prayer the Lord gave Elder Ray the name for the church “Holy Hill”.
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 Him.
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.
WHAT WE BELIEVE:
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and contains one harmonious and sufficiently complete system of doctrine. We believe in the full inspiration of the Word of God. We hold the Word of God to be the only authority in all matters and assert that no doctrine can be true or essential, if it does not find a place in this Word.
THE FATHER
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Author and Creator of all things. The Old Testament reveals God in diverse manners, by manifesting his nature, character, and dominions. The Gospels in the New Testament give us knowledge of God the “Father” or “My Father”, showing the relationship of God to Jesus as Father, or representing Him as the Father in the Godhead, and Jesus himself that Son (St. John 15:8, 14:20). Jesus also gives God the distinction of “Fatherhood” to all believers when he explains God in the light of “Your Father in Heaven” (St. Matthew 6:8).
THE SON
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Second person in the Godhead of the Trinity or Triune Godhead. We believe that Jesus was and is eternal in his person and nature as the Son of God who was with God in the beginning of creation (St. John 1:1). We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin called Mary according to the scripture (St. Matthew 1:18), thus giving rise to our fundamental belief in the Virgin Birth and to all of the miraculous events surrounding the phenomenon (St. Matthew 1:18-25). We believe that Jesus Christ became the “suffering servant” to man; this suffering servant came seeking to redeem man from sin and to reconcile him back to God, his Father (Romans 5:10). We believe that Jesus Christ is standing now as mediator between God and man (I Timothy 2:5)
THE HOLY GHOST
We believe the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, proceeds from the Father and the Son, is of the same substance, equal to power and glory, and is together with the Father and the Son, to be believed in, obeyed, and worshipped. The Holy Ghost is a gift bestowed upon the believer for the purpose of equipping and empowering the believer, making him a more effective witness for service in the world. He teaches and guides one into all truth (John 16:13; Acts 1:8, 8:39).