We're glad you're checking out Ekklesia Christian Life. We hope to make your visit a pleasant one, we've tried to answer any questions you may have in advance.

Just a little about us... we are a God-fearing, Bible-believing, Holy Ghost Filled, Gospel of Jesus Christ Preaching, Prophetic, Faith, Deliverance and Healing, Loving Community Serving Church.

Where No One is Perfect,

and Everyone is Welcome.

We don't care how you're dressed, how many tattoos you have, who you date, or what candidate you voted for. We're a church full of broken, imperfect people with every kind of story imaginable, and we're saving a seat for you!

We come to Exalt the Savior, to Equip the saints, to Evangelize the lost, and to Extend the love of Christ.

Also, be sure to peruse our website to find out more about how you can get plugged into Ekklesia.

If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to contact us ekklesiachristianlife@gmail.com

Welcome Home to

ekklesia

Our History

Ekklesia’s foundations began with simple conversations in Sister Bean’s Coffee Shop between Pastor Stephan, Jody Green, Stephan Jr., and Nick Green (Jody’s son) in early November of 2010 about God and ultimately starting a church.

Bible study soon began in the home of Jody and Elizabeth Green in November of 2010, and would later alternate with the home of Pastor and First Lady Renata Kirby.

In May of 2011, we began to lease storefront property at 4114 Flintlock Avenue. After a month of renovations, the first service for Ekklesia Christian Life Ministries was held on June 24th, 2011, with 24 people in attendance. The first sermon was entitled “What Type of Church is this Church Going to Be” from Matthew 16:13-20. And from the 18th verse of that scripture when Jesus said “upon this rock, I will build my church” is where our church received her name. The Greek word for church, “Ekklesia” means a “called out” family of believers.

Because of lack of cooperation from the landlord in resolving ongoing issues, God opened up another place of worship right around the corner at 5207 Dixie Highway where we began to share the building with Ms. Sheritha Bousso of DiVashe Nail Salon. After four weeks at the Flintlock location, we moved on the first Sunday in August. It was at this location our first three members joined the mission; they were Tasha Cheatam, Alice Wilson and Christina Arrieta. We worshiped and grew in this location for nine months.

On Sunday November 13, 2011, with the help of Pastor’s Darrell Nathan, of Mt Zion Baptist Church, Clarence Brown of Lighthouse Christian Church, Steve Smith of Mt Hermon Baptist Church and Charles Kirby, Pastor Emeritus of Southern Star Baptist Church the mission was officially organized into a church with members Renata Kirby, Jody Green, Elizabeth Green, Bobby Green, Danny West, Angela Kidwell West, Tasha Cheatham, and Jerry Johnson voted unanimously to call Stephan Kirby as Pastor.

In March of 2012 we were contacted by Pastor Eliseo Mejia-Leiva of Mosaic United Method Church that a church building was available at 1401 Bluegrass Avenue. After a vote on April 15th we purchased the property at 1401, 1405, and 1407 Bluegrass Avenue. Our first worship service was held on the first Sunday in May 2012. God has blessed us so much in our first year we are a congregation of multiple ethnic, social, and spiritual backgrounds coming together for the cause and sake of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our church was forced to transition during the covid-19 pandemic. While in quarantine, bad weather came and caused major damage to the roof and flooded many areas of our building. With black mold and asbestos infesting the building, it was unsafe for us to worship there. During a prayerful church meeting, the family members of Ekklesia decided to trust God and move to a new location. Within a week of our meeting God has allowed Ekklesia to move right around the corner from her old location to 4423 La Salle Avenue. We worshipped at this location until a new space to worship opened up at the Mt Hermon Bapitist Church with Pastor Stephen Smith at 3960 Cane Run Road, this is our temporary home while alternating with virtual worship, we're looking forward now for God to allow us to build a new worship facility.

Looking to the future…We are in a prime position to continue to win souls for Christ. As is God’s will, we will continue to preach and teach unapologetically the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our Pastor

Stephän E. Kirby, Sr. is the only son born to Pastor Charles E. Kirby and Rubenna D. Kirby, in January 1969. He accepted the Lord Jesus as Savior and King in the summer of 1977. He is a Veteran of the United States Navy.

He was called into the Gospel Ministry in June of 1989, announced his calling, and preached his first sermon on November 2, 1989. He was later ordained in February 1991, by his father, and appointed Co-Pastor of Southern Star Baptist Church.

He was called to the Pastorate of the House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, the first Sunday in November 1998, where he remained for seven years.

In 1998, his secular job with AT&T, moved him from Kentucky to Florida where he serve as an associate minister at the Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville. in 2007, he return to Kentucky to serve alongside his father at Southern Star, until his retirement.

In 2011, Pastor Kirby was led with a few faithful friends, to plant a church mission called “Ekklesia” Starting as small in-home bible studies, a small storefront was rented, On June 26, 2011, the first Worship Service was held with 24 people in attendance. In November of 2011, the Ekklesia went from being a mission and officially became a church and called Stephan Kirby as Pastor.

Pastor Kirby has always taught that everyone is vital and has their role to perform in the Kingdom of God, and encourages people to walk by faith and not by sight. Today new ministries are being birthed and lives are changing for the Glory of God.

Pastor Kirby is a devoted Father, Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher, administrator, and friend.

Our Belief

There are many passages of scripture that best describe what the church is to be and do, two statements by Jesus summarize it all: the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22:37-40

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20.

Simply put, The people of Ekklesia will be guided by these two scriptures as it pertains to ministry. The Love of God must be first and foremost in our hearts and lives. Secondly, we will love our neighbor, respect our neighbor the same way we love ourselves, the same way Christ has loved us. This ministry is driven to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We will baptize as Jesus directed, preach and teach obedience to God's Word by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Because of these things, our vision and purpose are established.

The Vision

We are a “Called-Out” Family of Believers Reflecting the Image of Christ Jesus

The Purpose of “We the Ekklesia” –

to Exalt the Savior, Equip the Saints, Evangelize the Lost, Extend the Love of Christ, and be the Example of a Christ-led Life

Soul Winning - 101 Disciple Making Class

Please download this free booklet further teaching on the concept of Ekklesia

15 Strategies to Win Souls for Christ and to Effectively Grow the Ekklesia

1. Invite everybody we meet to come to this church (Luke 14:15-24)

2. Share a verbal personal testimony (John 9)

3. Share with others what “Ekklesia” is all about (Matthew 28:19-20)

4. Participate in Praise (celebrative) Worship especially in the singing of praise music (Psalms 146-150)

5. Become a disciple in Sunday School and / or Bible Study (2 Timothy 2:15)

6. Practice “Community Time” in whatever ministry or auxiliary we belong (Matthew 5:14-16)

7. Participate in Ekklesia fellowship and activities (Hebrews 12:15)

8. Identify our Spiritual Gifts (2 Timothy 1:6)

9. Participate in service ministries or missions that match our Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 14)

10. Progress towards graduation in Christian Maturity (1 Corinthians 13:11 & Ephesians 4:11-15)

11. Commit to the church’s prototype of Stewardship / Giving (Malachi 3:8-10 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

12. Build a relationship with an unchurched person (Luke 19:1-10)

13. Set to memory the Vision and Purpose Statement of Ekklesia (Psalm 37:5)

14. Under gird our church and her leadership daily in prayer (Matthew 26:41 and 1 Thessalonians 5:25)

15. Every person (ministry, committee, auxiliary, class, and group) should participate in at least one mission project each year (Ephesians 4:16)