About the Temple of Faith
What We Believe
We, the members of Temple of Faith Missionary Baptist Church trust and believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Have been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Our Savior. And in the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. We do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
Our Church History
The Temple of Faith MBC has a rich history that spans over 40 years with its origins dating back to 1980. It was founded by Reverend John Wayne Arnold with the aim of providing a place of worship and spiritual guidance to the local community, and it has since grown to become a thriving congregation deeply rooted in faith and community service.
Reverend John Wayne Arnold
On August 28, 1980, through the will of God and the love and kindness of Reverend John Wayne Arnold, along with 28 other Christian believers the Temple of Faith Baptist Church was organized at the New Rising Star Baptist Church, Reverend James A. Howard, Pastor. The group took a vote to name the church and out of three suggested names for the church the Temple of Faith was selected.
Thanks to Reverend Howard and the members of New Rising Star for opening their doors to us. The first service was held at Glennon Hall, 12 th Hardesty, which was utilized for ten months. Our midweek prayer service was held in the home of Pastor Arnold 4706 East 40th Terrace, on September 7, 1980. Our first Sunday School class was held, Sister Captolia Johnson as the Superintendent, and Pastor Arnold as the teacher.
On September 10, 1980, the Mission and bible studies were formed, and meetings were held in the home of the Pastor. Today Bible Studies is offered and held on Wednesday. The Temple has become a Bible teaching church. The first meeting of the Adult Choir was held in the home of Sister Captolia Johnson on September 13, 1980, Sister Eula Gray was elected acting President, Sister Thelma Hammonds as acting Secretary the choir started with ten members. On Sunday, September 14, 1980, the Lord blessed, and 4 persons united with the Temple. The Lord continued to show favor to us and in the same month on September 21, 1980, twelve additional people gave their life to Christ. By this time, we had two Deacons Steve Murry & Elbert Glass. On October 26, 1980, C.L. White joined, giving us a total of three Deacons. During the administration of Reverend John Arnold, Brother Melvin McDaniel, Sr., and Brother Harold Reeves was ordained in 1982.
October 6, 1980, the Usher Ministry was organized, and Sister Mary Caruthers was elected and served as the first President, Sister Thelma Hammonds was appointed Instructor. The Usher Ministry stands strong. Past presidents include Sister Quinlyn Brown, Sister Patrice Nelson, Sister Ardella Bryant, and Sister Mary Moore. Currently Sister Betty Griffin serves as the president of this Ministry. October 15, 1980, the Young Adult Choir was organized Sister Valerie Mitchem served as President and Director with Brother Vincent Davis as the Musician.
July 19, 1981, through the goodness of the Lord and the dedication of the membership, the Temple of Faith Baptist Church moved into its present location, 3000 East Gregory Boulevard. In May 1984 Reverend Joseph Stevenson preached his initial sermon at the Temple and was installed as the Pastor on August 12, 1984. Rev. Stevenson was responsible for reliving the Temple of a second mortgage on the church; eight members put their homes up for collateral.
Reverend Dr. O. Cordell Moore
God continued to bless and show favor with the Temple,
Reverend Dr. O. Cordell Moore began his pastoral duties in October
1990 as the interim pastor. In March 1991 through the guidance of the
Holy Spirit he accepted the call to pastor the Temple, and at this time
the Temple became the Temple of Faith Missionary Baptist Church.
Under the administration of Pastor Moore fourteen Deacons have been
ordained: Deacon Lee Bohannon, Sr., Deacon Willie Hill, Deacon, C. L.
Brown, Deacon Isaiah Harris, Sr., Deacon John F. Payne, Deacon Willard
Walker, Jr., Deacon Nelson Shields, Deacon Preston Womack, Deacon
B. J. Williams, two Deacons gone on to be with the Lord, Deacon
Groman Nelson, and Deacon Roosevelt Noland. In 1994, Deacon C. L.
White was given the distinct honor or “Deacon Emeritus.” Also, under
Pastor Moore’s administration six men accepted the call into the Gospel
Ministry: Marlon Cousin, Fred Patrick, C. L. Brown first Deacon to accept
the call in the Ministry, John F. Payne, Kevin Harris, Anthony Williams,
and Greg Washington reaffirmed his call into the Ministry under Pastor
Moore and has gone on to pastor his own congregation.
Under the administration of Pastor Moore, the Temple grew and
improved in many ways. We continue with the upkeep and the
remodeling of our church building and beautification projects such as:
building a sound room with updated recording equipment for the Tape
Ministry, purchasing of a new piano, new carpet in the sanctuary, new
finance room, and conference room, with new carpet, replaced the
baptism pool, new stained front doors, and created a new look in the
sanctuary and much, much more. We thank God daily so much has
happened, but God continues to protect and shield us form Satan’s
fiery darts. Under Reverend Moore we were blessed to burn the
mortgaged and lay the cornerstone in 2000.
John F. Payne
With the passing of Reverend Moore, John F. Payne accepted the call to the Pastorate of the Temple of Faith Missionary Baptist Church, and was installed as our fourth Pastor on, January 26, 2003. Under the administration of Reverend Payne, a total of fifty souls have come to Christ by Baptism, and Christian experience. Pastor Payne loved his children and believed that you couldn’t start teaching then too soon. He developed a plan for their growth and the Sunshine Band and Royal Ambassadors became active again. He also believed that members should encourage and support one another and was led by the Holy spirit to start the Hospitality and the Care Team Ministries.
Reverend Richard Booker and Reverend James McNeal united with the Temple and faithfully served under his administration. Reverend Booker has gone on to be with the Lord, Reverend McNeal continues to faithfully serve. Deacon Lonnell McNeal and Deacon B. J. Williams, Jr. were ordained, and Brother Eddie (Willard) Walker began his Deacon training under
Pastor Payne. Deacon B.J. Williams Jr. has gone on to be with the Lord and Brother Walker continues with his training. Pastor Payne continued to lead, guide, and direct the Temple until his passing on November 4, 2018.
For a year Pastor Gregory Washington of Abiding Faith and Missions Church stepped in as Interim Pastor for the Temple to ensure that the Temple would continue to get the Word of God and Bible Study combining both churches to fellowship together until God sent us a new Shepard.
Reverend Darren Faulkner
The Lord sends Reverend Darren Faulkner our way a year later
and he preached his first sermon as our Interim Pastor on November 10, 2019. On May 30, 2020, under unusual substances as the entire State of Missouri was shut down COVID brake out under the guidance of the Holy Spirit Pastor Darren Faulkner was unanimously voted by the membership via telephone to become the firth Pastor of Temple of Faith Missionary Baptist Church until he submitted his resignation to
the Trustee Board effective March 11, 2022 and preached his last sermon at the church on March 13, 2022.