Greeting in the name of the Lord!
Thank you for your interest in our ministry. It is an honor and a privilege to serve the people of God in my assigned area of His vineyard. To me, there is no higher profession on earth than to minister to God’s people. Let me share the dual scope and purpose of our ministry:
To bring glory and honor to God by worshipping Him in Spirit and in truth.
To serve the Lord in obedience to His word in the beauty of holiness while laboring daily to seek and to save the lost souls who are captive under the powers of darkness.
Our church loves God’s Word. Therefore, we study it to grow in our understanding and knowledge of it. We strive to submit to the authority of God’s Word and eternal counsel. We continously press toward the mark of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus. We fight for “perfection” which is demonstrated by a spirit of love and unity among ourselves. This is the measure of our spiritual strength.
We work continually to see our church family and others possess the covenant promises of salvation, healing, sanctification, power, perfection and prosperity. We want people to experience the bright light of God’s glowing glory in our midst shining from the face of our beloved Saviour, Jesus Christ and reflected through us.
We invite you and your family to experience the love and power of God with us. The scripture says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (St. John 3:16). Come and share in the abundant life that Christ offers! Our prayer is for God to order your steps into the realm of His foreordained plan for your life. May God exceedingly overwhelm you with the riches of His mercy, peace and grace forevermore!
Yours In Christ,
Paul M. Johnson
Pastor
Our sights are always fixed on conquering more and more of the enemy’s territory through Jesus Christ.
Temple of Praise Church of God In Christ came from very humble beginnings. A group of women who had a heart to please God began coming together to pray and “seek God’s Face” to demonstrate Himself among them. God heard their cries and began demonstrating His Presence. His impact could be seen and felt among them. God’s glory triggered an increase in the harvest of souls. Numerous testimonies of baptisms in the Holy Ghost and of physical healings were shared. These women began to seek a pastor to “shepherd and feed” them God’s Word. God sent pastors after His own heart to minister to them, one of whom was the late Superintendent Lieutenant Howard.
The saints who pioneered this church did not have much money. Through sacrifice and hard work, the small assembly purchased a “shot gun” house to serve as their church. It was first called “Canton Number One.” God set His approval on the work. Over time, many quartet groups and members of the community found Canton Number One to be the place to come to “get their praise on.”
The church began transitioning under the leadership of the late Superintendent Lieutenant Howard and his assistant, the late Elder Malcolm Johnson. The church’s name changed from Canton Number One to St. Mary’s Church Of God In Christ. As the church began to make progress , the vision expanded to build an entirely new building. The church name became Temple of Praise. God did amazing things through a handful of folk who had a mind to work!
This current sanctuary and assembly were built by miraculous provision – who knows what God has in store for us in the future?
With time, Superintendent Howard went home to be with the LORD. However, the transition continued under the leadership of Elder Malcolm Johnson whose vision was to build upon the work internally and externally – naturally and spiritually. He labored to perfect the saints in righteousness and true holiness.
We, the members of Temple of Praise, consider ourselves to be tremendously blessed of God. Our history is full of numerous testimonies of God’s faithfulness to those who walk by faith and not by sight. We have come to understand and comprehend that the Bible is the Word of God Almighty: His word is not going to change for anyone, but those who study and obey it will experience a mighty metamorphosis!
We welcome you to stop by any time and share “the Feast of the Lord” and be: richly blessed with us!
Temple of Praise Church of God In Christ
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1224
Canton, MS 39046