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.

 

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, Stephen 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, Vickie Spearman, 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.