Brief History
Born on Sunday, February 7, 1999, Temple of Restoration " the church on the way" is a most intriguing and refreshing congregation. How could it not be? The beginning of this Church is an unusual visitation of God's grace.
The time and season was apropos for the conception of Temple of Restoration Church of God in Christ. In November 1998 the planning of this church began with only five (5) people. While renovating the facilities (12825 Interstate 30) for worship, prayer and information classes were held in December and January aimed at developing a solid foundation for the fulfillment of a larger vision. After renovation, the first worship service was held on February 7th with approximately 100 people in attendance. As a confirmation that "where God leads He provides", the first offering was more than adequate to cover the monthly start-up expenses.
Within a year of its birth, Temple of Restoration launched a building program. In June 2000 we purchased 3.3 acres of land at Stanton Road on Interstate 30. In February 2001 we sold the land and used the proceeds to help fund the down payment on our current worship center and facilities. On April 15, 2001, we moved into our new church. Temple of Restoration property is situated on approximately 3.46 acres of land in the Southwest part of Greater Little Rock, Arkansas. As a fully functioning church, it consists of two buildings totaling 23,411 square feet and asphalt parking areas totaling 50,000 square feet. We believe that the best days for Temple of Restoration lie in the future designed by God.
Robert Robinson, an ordained Church of God in Christ minister with more than 28 years in active service and proven leadership in church planting and development, has consistently refused to accept credit for Temple of Restoration's dynamic growth and stability, describing this phenomenon as an unusual visitation of God's grace, "the church on the way." We use the motto, "the church on the way", because of our location, direction, and emphasis: Our location – a busy thruway in Little Rock; Our Direction – we're on the way developing a ministry for today and everyday; Our emphasis – on Jesus Christ the Son of God, who is the way, the truth and the life. The Christians in biblical days were often referred to as "people of the way."
Temple of Restoration closed its first fiscal year with an operating budget exceeding $100,000 dollars, with a conservative seventy-five (75) adult members and 30 youths membership. Temple of Restoration is one of the most promising new churches affiliated with the Church of God in Christ with its headquarter in Memphis, Tennessee. The Church of God in Christ is more than 100 years old with a membership of more than 8 million people worldwide. It is our perception that the Lord does not want to eliminate neither denominational relationships nor separate congregations from the heritage of their forefathers. The Lord does not want to eliminate what we each have received, but to integrate it that light may be given "to all who are in the house" (Matthew 5:15). We believe God's purpose is not to break off national affiliations but to heal and restore relationships locally and nationally.
An approach to ministry at Temple of Restoration is the belief that minister and ministry must be broadened today to include all the members of a church. The common concept of the pastor as the professional minister who occupies the pulpit is still valid, but the biblical pattern is for the pastor to empower the congregation for ministry. Using the spiritual gifts distributed to each by the Holy Spirit, all the saints are responsible for loving and ministering in various ways to one another,
In a desperately hurting world full of toxic relationships, crippled values, and mutilated morality, lives are crying out for real healing -- not drug-induced solutions, not psychobabble Band-Aids, but authentic answers that heal the heart, soul, and mind. And Temple of Restoration offers only one source for this kind of healing: Jesus Christ and his church.
Temple of Restoration "the church on the way" brings new light, understanding, and a road map to God's blessings and answers to prayer.
So... why Temple of Restoration?
New Growth! We have noticed that Little Rock, Arkansas is growing, particularly in the West and Southwest regions along interstate 30W. Though Little Rock is home to many churches, there are still opportunities for Temple of Restoration to serve new communities. The population is growing and the number of churches per capita is not keeping up with the population.
People who say we don't need any more churches are apparently counting buildings, not lost sheep, as Jesus did. There are thousands of people in greater Little Rock who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Temple of Restoration Church of God in Christ is making a remarkable impact on its communities.
New Beginning! Temple of Restoration offers new beginnings for people from all walks of life. Many families and individuals feel the need to get back into church or would like an opportunity to objectively investigate the claims of Christianity for this time. You could begin with us and grow within us! Some desire a growing relationship with God, possess encouraging friendships, and promote positive values for their children. Whether someone has never gone to church or hasn't been in a long time, Temple of Restoration provides a great opportunity for a new beginning.
Something New! Temple of Restoration promotes the leadership of Christ, multi-cultural worship style and ministry, genuine friendships, a caring community, teamwork, authenticity, and quality – all in a manner that reflects a relaxed, saintly and friendly atmosphere.
We have…
THE MISSION
THE VISION
THE DREAM
THE AIM
THE DESIRE
THE HOPE
The Mission
Temple of Restoration Church of God in Christ exists to bring glory to God by growing in number through evangelism, growing in depth through discipleship, growing in strength through worship, growing in usefulness through service, and finally multiplying ourselves through reproduction.
The Vision
We seek to teach the Word of God and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, shaping and equipping our church family so that believers will be nourished and empowered to fulfill their God-ordained, created purpose and ministry. We seek to prepare people who care for one another and who sensitively reach to our City and the World that all may be saved, being brought to a living faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.
The Dream
The dream of a church is to honor God by valuing people over programs, policies, or facilities; to honor God by cultivating a Christ-like and loving atmosphere in the church body; to honor God by equipping and encouraging every person to use their natural abilities and spiritual gifts; to honor God with relationships that are ruled by honesty, sincerity, character, and integrity; and to honor God by promoting the qualities of excellence and relevance in all that we do.
The Aim
The aim is to see faith in practice as we trust God to do abundantly above everything that we can ask or imagine; a church designed to help people of our fellowship as well as other co-laborers be effective in reaching our local community, our nation, and our world.
The Desire
The desire is to see a church that realizes its greatest potential lies in its people who are built up, encouraged, recognized and equipped to carry out the ministry; people that are sharing Christ locally and globally with those who don't yet know or fully understand His gift of grace; people who relate to and meet the legitimate needs of others in our community; people who include others in celebrative worship and link them to other people through a thriving network of small groups.
The Hope
It's the hope that God will grow a church that is not bound by tradition or personal preference; a church which reflects a relaxed and friendly atmosphere; a church which displays the true spirit of servanthood, seeking the best for one another and not ourselves; a church that is under the leadership of a pastor, staff, and servant leaders, who together seek the mind of Christ and equip the body to minister.
We Value…
AUTHORITY
PEOPLE
COMMUNITY
TEAMWORK
AUTHENTICITY
QUALITY
CORE VALUES
We value AUTHORITY
We have an authoritative spiritual guide in the Bible, the Word of God. What scripture teaches takes precedence over church traditions or human opinion. Therefore, we are committed to the clear and accurate communication of God’s Word in a way that provides hope, ministers grace and urges obedience.
II Timothy 3:16, 17
We value PEOPLE
People are the paramount concern of our heavenly Father. Therefore, we must focus our attention on the needs of people. This brings honor to God. As we reach out with the love of Christ, people experience hope, help, forgiveness, and direction.
Luke 19:10
We value COMMUNITY
We are committed to cultivating a Christlike and loving atmosphere within the church body. The development of godly relationships will provide unity, show love, and display forgiveness among believers.
I Peter 4:8-10
We value TEAMWORK
Ministry is a team effort. Every believer possesses natural abilities and spiritual gifts. As you release these talents and gifts for God to use, you find more significance and purpose in your life. Therefore, every member is called to be ministered, sharing your God-given resources for the good of others.
Ephesians 4:11-16; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
We value AUTHENTICITY
We believe relationships should be ruled by honesty and sincerity. Character and integrity motivate us to be others-oriented as we live and serve together.
Proverbs 10:9
We value QUALITY
Excellence is an attribute of God. We believe that quality both honors God and inspires people. God sacrificed the best, His only Son, for us. Therefore we seek to maintain a high standard of quality to the glory of God.
Colossians 3:23
We value seven (7) core values
Keeping focus on seven (7) core values perfects the church. The 7 values listed here are elaborated in more detail below.
Worship as Priority
Ministry to the Family
Constant Prayer unto Fruitfulness
Spirit-filled Witness and Service
Vitality of the Spiritual Language
Spirit of Giving and Stewardship
Committed to Sound Doctrine
WORSHIP AS PRIORITY
The worship of God is our primary ministry, pursued with biblically motivated zeal and offered in reverence with humility, childlikeness, and joyfulness.
MINISTRY TO THE FAMILY
The biblically modeled family is God’s foundational social and governmental unit and it is to be nourished, served and preserved as such. Fundamental to this value is the sanctity of marriage, biblical sexuality, and human life.
CONSTANT PRAYER UNTO FRUITFULNESS
Steadfast prayer and faithful intercession allow us to enter a partnership with God Almighty, and they are the foundational means of personal and corporate fruitfulness in life, service and ministry.
VITALITY OF THE SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE
The biblical exercise of Holy Spirit enabled supernatural utterance is vital for prayer, praise, intercession, and edification and is a desirable and an available resource for every believer.
SPIRIT OF GIVING AND STEWARDSHIP
To live is to give – in tithes, offerings, and all life’s resources. We steward what we have been given of time, gifts, and finances, seeing these as being from God’s hand, yet as ours to obediently distribute.
COMMITTED TO SOUND DOCTRINE
We adhere to the Declaration of Faith of the Church of God in Christ.
What we believe…
ABOUT THE BIBLE
ABOUT GOD
ABOUT THE CHURCH
ABOUT SIN
ABOUT SALVATION
ABOUT CHRIST
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
ABOUT SANCTIFICATION
OUR BELIEF CONCERNING THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible written Word of God.
OUR BELIEF CONCERNING GOD
We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost.
OUR BELIEF CONCERNING THE CHURCH
We believe in the Blessed Hope, which is the rapture of the Church of God, which is in Christ, at His return.
OUR BELIEF CONCERNING SIN
We believe that the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
OUR BELIEF CONCERNING SALVATION
We believe that regeneration by the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation.
OUR BELIEF CONCERNING CHRIST
We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing for the human body in answer to believing prayer.
OUR BELIEF CONCERNING THE HOLY GHOST
We believe that the baptism in the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:41 is given to believers who ask for it.
OUR BELIEF CONCERNING SANCTIFICATION
We believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy and separated life in this present world.
Amen
