Church of God
ABOUT US
The ministry of Emmanuel Temple began over 27 YEARS AGO by our beloved founding Pastor, the honorable James A. Whittier Sr. (now resting in the arms of Christ Jesus) and Mother Queen E. Whittier. This ministry began in the home of our Founders. Bishop Whittier would organize tarrying services in the basement of his home where souls being intoxicated with the SPIRIT OF THE LORD.
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During this time span, Bishop Whittier was an Associate Minister at the New Christ Temple Chruch of God, where his brother the late Eld. Alexander Whittier, Jr. was Pastor, and later the Lord led him to assist Bishop Stewart Stiles as Assistant Pastor of the New Jerusalem Temple.
Although he administered the duties of an Assistant Pastor, he continued in the Outreach Ministry, bringing souls to the knowledge of Christ and never conflicting with the leadership of his pastor.
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Bishop and Mother Whittier continued to follow the leadership of The Lord and continued in the Outreach Ministry. Bishop Whittier recognized the voice of the Lord calling him into Pastoralship. Continuing in the faith, the home ministry became more profound and escalated in spiritual outreach. God began to work on the people int the neighborhood. Bishop and Mother Whittier were viewed as "Mom and Dad" to everyone. Souls were crying out to be saved and God was answering the voice of his under-shepherd. The movement of the Holy Ghost was so intense, that we knew God was with us. The church was initially named "His Name is God with Us". But at the request of our much-respected Diocesan of the Midwestern District, the late Bishop P.L. Scott, our Founding Pastor changed the name of the church to Emmanuel Temple Church of God, seeing that Emmanuel means "His Name is God with Us".
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As a husband-and-wife team,
Bishop and Mother Whittier never ceased to build up the kingdom of God. Mother Whittier stood with Bishop Whittier in the ministry as both a wife and laborer in the vineyard. In the year of 1982, Emmanuel Temple C.O.G. went from the home of Bishop James and First lady Queen Whittier to 5340 Harney Ave., a building that was once used as a machine shop. Then in the year of 1987, Emmanuel Temple C.O.G. relocated to 4932 Union Blvd., a building that was once used as a laundromat.
God had truly blessed them.
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As a result of this teaching and nurturing ministry of the Pastor and his First Lady, many people converted their lives by repenting their sins. A multitude of people were filled with the Holy Ghost. The ministry produced many preachers, teachers, singers, deacons, and ushers, many of whom now have their own ministries.
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On May 10, 1998, God called Bishop James A. Whittier, Sr. home to glory. God and Bishop knew this day was coming. So, God put a capable, honest to the point servant in charge to continue the ministry.
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The Almighty God and Bishop James Whittier appointed Assistant Pastor Ronnie Whittier as Pastor of Emmanuel Temple C.O.G.
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Bishop James Whittier taught his son the essential elements and functions of the ministry. Pastor Ronnie Whittier had been Assistant Pastor for sixteen years. In the year 1995, God blessed Pastor Ronnie Whittier to receive his "Doctorate in Religious Education" and in 2005, he received a "Doctorate in Theology". In 1996, he established Resurrection of Christ Fellowship. While pastoring Resurrection, he continued his assistant pastor's duties at Emmanuel Temple C.O.G.
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At the request of Bishop James A. Whittier, Sr., before his death, Pastor Ronnie Whittier was to perform the eulogy. Pastor Ronnie Whittier complied.
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A year later, 1999, in a ceremony performed by the late Bishop Lee A. Fields, Pastor Ronnie Whittier became Bishop Ronnie Whittier. Since that time, Bishop Ronnie Whittier has performed the eulogies of Bishop Lee A. Fields and Deacon Clifford Whittier. Now under the leadership of Bishop Ronnie Whittier and First Lady Winnetta Whittier, Emmanuel Temple C.O.G. is blessed with a new edifice at 4935 Union Blvd.
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God continues to bless this ministry. It started out with the founders, Bishop James A. Whittier, Sr. and Fist Lady Queen E. Whittier. The torch has been passed to Bishop Ronnie and First Lady Winnetta Whittie. With guidance from God, Emmanuel Temple C.O.G. will continue to be blessed spiritually and naturally. Every hard working, honest, saint of God who devotes their love, time, and gifts in the ministry will be blessed by the Almighty.