The vision of a God fearing church where the saints would be serious about pursuing the
cause of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, entered into the heart of Rev. Dr. Cleophus W. Atkins Sr. in a dream one night. On his way home from church one Sunday, the Lord
spoke the word "restoration".
Not giving the word or his previous dream much thought, he continued with business as usual.
Months earlier, Elder Carolyn Brew revealed a prophecy that she received from God to Rev. Atkins. She stated that Rev. Atkins would begin a new pastorate as a new church and that The Lord would bless mightily. Rev. Atkins pondered the words of Elder Brew and the word "restoration".
Several days had passed when Sister Luella Whren called requesting prayer of Rev. Atkins. Before the pastor left, she placed an envelope (with a check in it) in his hands and informed Rev. Atkins that she was directed by God to be a blessing and that he would know what to do with the gift.
To be used by the Lord to "compel people to be restored to a right relationship with God our Father" began to rest well with Rev. Atkins. This Church would be a non-denominational New Testament Church whose founder is The Lord Jesus Christ and chooses God and the Holy Bible as their guide. The mission would begin.
A small group of people met that Saturday, June 22, 2002 at the pastor's home in NE, Washington, DC to discuss the vision. Of that meeting came 16 founding members. From that meeting it was concluded that Rev. Dr. CW Atkins Sr. would be the leader of the new mission. Officers included:
Treasurer- Ella Waymer
Assistant treasurer- Renea Hicks
Secretary-Veronica McGill
Assistant Secretary- Lucille Spain.
The name of the church would be "Restoration Christian Fellowship Church". The mission was now in operation. Legal paperwork would begin while the pastor and his family took vacation.
The first service was held on Sunday, July 14, 2002. Rev. James Wright delivered the church’s initial message. By the first service, the church had already begun to grow. The following month, our first Deacon, Charles Stevenson joined us. One week later, Deacon Walter Jamison joined the church. A few weeks later after hearing from the Lord, Rev. James Wright and his wife Evangelist Lynette, both joined the church.
It became evident that a larger location would be necessary. With the assistance of the Atkins' neighbor, Mr. Thomas Bryant Jr., then Assistant Principal of Houston Elementary School, at 1100 50th Place in NE Washington, paperwork was completed, and on September 8, 2002, Houston Elementary School became the “new temporary” home of Restoration Christian Fellowship Church.
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Our Recognition Service and First Anniversary Celebration was held on Saturday, September 13, 2003 at our neighboring church - Antioch Baptist Church, 1100 – 50th Place, NE, were Rev William H. Gibbs was the host Pastor. Thomas Rogers, Pastor of Triumphant Baptist Church, delivered the message. On the following Sunday, Dr. David Blow, pastor of Dunamos Christian Church & Ministries, Baltimore, Maryland, delivered the celebration message.
Pastor Atkins prophesized that we would be moving to a place that the Lord would provide. In December, 2006 the Lord blessed us with a new home. Much work was needed, but again the Lord provided! In May, 2007, the Lord blessed us to move to our new home: 2724, 2726, 2728 - 12th Street and 1049 Franklin Streets, NE.
Pastor Atkins credits much of his ability to identify and respond to the needs of the church members and the community, to his wife, “His First and Only” Lady, Deaconess Deborah T. Atkins, I. He often remarks, “God gave me Deborah to help me rest and keep me on track”.
To date, the Lord continues to bless us with members of dedication and talent. Our website, WWW.RestorationCFC.org (and “.com”) was initiated, with Brother Mario McKell as web master, assisted by his wife. People from all over the world have listened to our services on our web site. We take pride in the fact that we are a church with members who recognize Jesus as not only our Savior, but also the Lord of our lives.
The church service is open to the community each week for 9:30 am Sunday school, the 11:00 Worship Service and each Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm for Prayer and Bible Study. Communion is served each second Sunday, followed by a birthday and fellowship luncheon.
We have recently opened our doors to Manuel D. Barrious, Pastor, Iglesia Luz Verdadera Church, our Hispanic brothers and sisters, who share our facility during the week.
Our Community Outreach Ministry, (Brother Larry Hill, Director), has been instrumental in assisting families who have been burned out, suffered losses, etc. With donations and assistance from our members and friends, we have provided families with financial aid, clothing, food, furniture and other support. Our assistance has been both domestic and foreign. We are part of the “Angel Tree Network”. Over the past four years we have assisted over 500 families with toys, clothing and/or food for Christmas, Thanksgiving and throughout most days of the year.
| Other Church Ministries include: |
Deacon/Deaconess Board
Development Committee
Audio visual
Christian Education
Church (Sunday) School
Culinary Committee
Evangelistic (“E-Team”)
Media relations (and website) |
Church Choir
Men's Ministry
Church Missionary
Assistance Ministry
Music Ministry
Usher Board
Women's Ministry
Youth Ministry |
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