Lithonia
Georgia
Add an Article
Add an Event
Edit
Abundant Life Church
Our History
The call of God came to Woodrow Walker at an early age. Growing up in Brooklyn, Illinois, it was clear that there was a special anointing on his life. As he struggled with surrendering to the will of God, he left the St. Louis area and came to Atlanta, Georgia where he met his future wife, Francine Lewis.
In 1979, Woodrow Walker and Francine Lewis were united in holy matrimony. Being led of God to start a ministry void of limitations; Abundant Life Christian Center was born on March 9, 1980. The first year the fellowship met in the homes of those who were members, which now had grown to approximately 18. During this time, the first wedding ceremony was performed; Abundant Life outgrew these accommodations and began to meet in the Hungry Bull Steak House. As they continued to grow they moved to a new location in Conley, Georgia. Due to racial prejudices within the community, the congregation once again had to relocate from this facility and began worshipping in the Brown and Reese Realty building. Then, without a place to go, Abundant Life moved to Piedmont Park. From there, the ministry moved to various locations throughout the metro Atlanta area including St. Pauls Episcopal Church, the Baptist University and Free for All Baptist Church. God then directed the church to a building in Decatur, which had formerly been used as the Super-X Drugstore and the Kroger Grocery Store.
When Abundant Life moved to 2649 McAfee Road, the largest portion of the building was occupied by a bingo parlor. As the bingo game players were calling out numbers. ALC was calling on God! The church prevailedÉGod enabled ALC to purchase the building. The structure went through major renovation and remodeling transforming the storefront building into a beautiful church. In December 1993, an Ordination Service was held where many of the Elders, Deacons and Ministers received their confirmations and positions into ministry. On February 23, 1994, the last service was held at our Decatur facility. Abundant Life Church then moved to its present location at 6440 Rock Springs Road in Lithonia, Georgia where the church has been strategically positioned at the East Gate of the city.
The vision that God placed in the heart of Woodrow and Francine Walker, has grown and expanded like the mustard seed which Jesus likened to the Kingdom of God in Mark 4:30-32. Abundant LifeÕs global outreach touches lives in Asia, Europe and throughout the world by supporting foreign missionaries and by sending out members to minister in other countries. Our Feed the Hungry Ministry reaches the poor, and the inner city communities are touched through the fellowship and support of various ministries. Our Prison Ministry visits prison inmates throughout the southern United States and people with life-controlling problems are healed through Bethesda Ministries. Our television and radio broadcasts. "Sharing His Life, " extends to various parts of America and the Caribbean.
Truly, the prophecies which state that "Abundant Life would be a church without walls" is being fulfilled as it continues to Ébridge the gap, change mindsets and transform cultures to the standard of Christ.
The call of God came to Woodrow Walker at an early age. Growing up in Brooklyn, Illinois, it was clear that there was a special anointing on his life. As he struggled with surrendering to the will of God, he left the St. Louis area and came to Atlanta, Georgia where he met his future wife, Francine Lewis.
In 1979, Woodrow Walker and Francine Lewis were united in holy matrimony. Being led of God to start a ministry void of limitations; Abundant Life Christian Center was born on March 9, 1980. The first year the fellowship met in the homes of those who were members, which now had grown to approximately 18. During this time, the first wedding ceremony was performed; Abundant Life outgrew these accommodations and began to meet in the Hungry Bull Steak House. As they continued to grow they moved to a new location in Conley, Georgia. Due to racial prejudices within the community, the congregation once again had to relocate from this facility and began worshipping in the Brown and Reese Realty building. Then, without a place to go, Abundant Life moved to Piedmont Park. From there, the ministry moved to various locations throughout the metro Atlanta area including St. Pauls Episcopal Church, the Baptist University and Free for All Baptist Church. God then directed the church to a building in Decatur, which had formerly been used as the Super-X Drugstore and the Kroger Grocery Store.
When Abundant Life moved to 2649 McAfee Road, the largest portion of the building was occupied by a bingo parlor. As the bingo game players were calling out numbers. ALC was calling on God! The church prevailedÉGod enabled ALC to purchase the building. The structure went through major renovation and remodeling transforming the storefront building into a beautiful church. In December 1993, an Ordination Service was held where many of the Elders, Deacons and Ministers received their confirmations and positions into ministry. On February 23, 1994, the last service was held at our Decatur facility. Abundant Life Church then moved to its present location at 6440 Rock Springs Road in Lithonia, Georgia where the church has been strategically positioned at the East Gate of the city.
The vision that God placed in the heart of Woodrow and Francine Walker, has grown and expanded like the mustard seed which Jesus likened to the Kingdom of God in Mark 4:30-32. Abundant LifeÕs global outreach touches lives in Asia, Europe and throughout the world by supporting foreign missionaries and by sending out members to minister in other countries. Our Feed the Hungry Ministry reaches the poor, and the inner city communities are touched through the fellowship and support of various ministries. Our Prison Ministry visits prison inmates throughout the southern United States and people with life-controlling problems are healed through Bethesda Ministries. Our television and radio broadcasts. "Sharing His Life, " extends to various parts of America and the Caribbean.
Truly, the prophecies which state that "Abundant Life would be a church without walls" is being fulfilled as it continues to Ébridge the gap, change mindsets and transform cultures to the standard of Christ.