Our History

Northwood Temple (NWT) was birthed 44 years ago as a result of several people who prayed for a church in north Fayetteville, NC. With the influence of Fort Bragg, it has developed into a multi-cultural fellowship of 4,100 members from 37 countries. Every week nearly 2,000 believers from all racial and denominational backgrounds gather to celebrate the risen Christ.

When Fay and I began our ministry at NWT in 1968, there were around 100 members. Aware that two pastors had served the church during the first four years, our initial goal was to build a foundation of trust within the people and prepare them for the growth that we knew God wanted to give us.

By 1970 we were ready for the next stage of His work among us. I was at a Sunday School (SS) Convention in Tulsa when the Lord used Dr. Elmer Towns to "light my fire." He challenged me to lead NWT into unprecedented growth. I returned to North Carolina and passed along the challenge to our people, and within ten months attendance had doubled to 208.

The church continued to grow, and by 1973, both our sanctuary and SS classes were overflowing. We sensed the Lord pushing us forward, and we accepted the challenge to build a new sanctuary that would seat 775. Two years later the building was completed.

With the help of a bus ministry and enthusiastic SS teachers, God added to the church daily those that were being saved. Within months we needed to have two services to accommodate the crowds.

As in the early 70's the growth was so great that our facility was inadequate; therefore, we again constructed a sanctuary that would seat 2,500. Completed in 1985, this worship center now has three Sunday services, SS, and special musical and dramatic productions, which attract thousands each year.

Several other key factors have contributed to our growth--a multi-talented church staff of more then 30, a great host of volunteers, and a godly visionary church board comprised of six men, who see needs and rush to meet them. Without these, there could be no success.

The heartbeat of NWT is evangelism, both at home and abroad. With the help of Evangelism Explosion, we have trained hundreds of people within the church who go and share the Gospel weekly. We also host an annual clinic where pastors and laymen of other churches are trained for soul winning.

We believe strongly that the Gospel should also be proclaimed abroad. Every year our church sponsors ministry teams to foreign countries: Haiti, Nicaragua, and Honduras. We send medical teams, construction crews, and evangelism teams. Together, these teams present the full Gospel.

In Nicaragua alone during the last six years, we have built one school with almost 1,000 students, grades 1 - 12. We have made student grants available, created university scholarships for graduating students, developed a health care system, and created university scholarships for graduating students, and created a small sewing factory.

Education is another heartbeat that the Lord uses to effect changes in our world. The Northwood Temple Academy (NTA) is a strong arm of the church. With a staff of over 40, we educate nearly 500 students every year from Pre-school through grade 12.

Our goal is to reach the total person--spiritually, physically, and emotionally. We strive to influence every aspect of a person's life through our Family Life Center that provides complete recreational and physical athletic programs, and through our House of Hope Counseling Center that provides support for those hurting emotionally.

Our campus is comprised of the following: three sanctuaries, the Family Life Center which includes educational facilities, the House of Hope Counseling Center, several other buildings, and about 30 acres of land, with an estimated total value of $15 million. All of these buildings are debt free providing us the opportunity to reach even higher goals.

Our goals for the next ten years include the following: a multi-purpose youth center, a learning resource education building to expand a growing Academy and provide a place for college-level ministerial training, and a retirement center for the elderly.

NWT is a church that exists for the Father; therefore, we are a WORSHIP CENTER. We exist for each other; therefore, we are a NURTURING CENTER. We exist to change the world; therefore, we are a REDEMPTIVE CENTER. We seek His highest will and give Him all the glory and praise for His marvelous works among us!


**Northwood Temple is a member of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church this website address is http://iphc.org/ . For information about church doctrine, please visit the 'Articles of Faith' page at the denominational headquarters.