Our Story

Some of life’s most challenging experiences are the ones that result in our greatest victories or the re-purposing of our lives. We often have to overcome seemingly impossible circumstances to realize afresh, the goodness of God and to remember that He is Adonai-the Sovereign One, who is in total control.

We cannot describe the history of El Elyon – Church of The Most High God, without expressing the circumstances that led to the birth of this church. Prior to this, for many of us, saying we were in our comfort zone, is putting it mildly. We were happy, fulfilled and motivated for new experiences. What we failed to realize was that new experiences can sometimes be uncomfortable, painful and even devastating.

Pain is usually relieved either by removing the source of your discomfort or finding a solution or cure. Interestingly enough, it turned out we were selected to do both. At the time, we didn’t feel Selected, but God, who is Omniscient and knows the end from the beginning, graciously led us. A few of us were led to start a prayer meeting, which at the time, we just needed a place where a group of broken, displaced brethren, could meet to pray and heal. Real saints, Brother Kenny Campbell, and wife Sister Kareen, opened their home and we met every Sunday evening for prayer meeting. It took months before we could get over grieving and hurting in order to fully engage in worshipping and praising God. We could then join with the song writer Papa San in the song, “Jesus Makes Me Smile Again.”

After the healing, it became apparent that the door to returning to life as it had been, was permanently closed and we could consider ourselves “homeless.” God, however, had a plan and led us to start seeking for a new home. President Barack Obama once said “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.”

Our faith arose like the four leprous men in II Kings 7:3 who said “Why sit we here until we die? Verse five of the same chapter says, “And they rose up in the twilight….” Yes indeed, we realized it was time for us to rise again!

Now that we had been healing and fellowshipping together, we found out that we could not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. By this time, our little group had started to grow. Hence the realization that we needed to enlarge our territory, come together as a CHURCH and minister to the needs of the hurting and the lost. After all, we too have a part in the Great Commission.

As we were without a formal leader and not knowledgeable on the “how to” of starting a church, we thought we would seek some help. We approached and asked for guidance from our retired Bishop Jabez Barrett, who had done this several times before and has a wealth of experience. He was gracious enough to meet with us and avail us of his knowledge and expertise. We were elated that he would be willing to oversee the work for us and be accessible for directions as much as possible. The group nominated Rev. David Barrett to be the Pastor and he accepted.

We were formally organized on January 19, 2020. The name El Elyon Church of the Most High God was unanimously acknowledged as the name of our new Church. El Elyon is one of the Hebrew names of Jehovah which means The Most High God.

The next step was to find a place to hold the Sunday services and so everyone started looking for a building where we could rent space. Thankfully, God led us to a local school that was willing to allow us the use of their auditorium. Our first Church service was held in the school auditorium on March 8, 2020. During this service Pastor David Barrett officially received the first sixteen members into the El Elyon Church of the Most High God. Pastor David Barrett also introduced the Officers of our new church, namely, Brother Mark Barrett, Brother Kenneth Campbell, Brother Lawton Wilkinson, and Sister Maureen Weatherly.

Due to the corona virus pandemic and the restrictions on gathering, we had to find an alternate medium for ministering to our new members. Thankfully, God made a way for us to meet together via a telephone conference line, and we were able to continue regular Sunday services. We also have a Fasting & Prayer and Bible Study service on Mondays. God has blessed us beyond our imaginations. We have saints joining in the services, not just locally but from different states and even other countries. We give God the glory for the souls saved and those reclaimed for His kingdom.

It would be naïve to think that we will not have opposition and even persecution on our journey, but as Gamaliel advised the Council in Acts 5:39, if the work is of God, they cannot overthrow it, lest they are found even to fight against God!

God’s vineyard is vast and has work for everyone. The most we ask is that everyone will pray our strength as we illuminate this world with our beacon of hope, love, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.