HISTORY OF GREATER EMMANUEL MINISTRIES
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST
Emmanuel Ministries Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) was organized
when a small group met under the leadership of Minister Joel H. Lyles, Jr.
For one year, in addition to Minister Lyles, six others: Deacon Robert
Washington, Deacon Charles Prince, Mother Gladys Lyles,Elizabeth Johnson,
Dorothea Vaughn and Kim Spencer, worshipped on Sundays with the
Carter Memorial C.O.G.I.C. and met each Monday for Bible study and
prayer.
In April 1986, the group found a building at 2880 Hillen Road. A lengthy
negotiation, a year later on April 20, 1987, the building was purchased.
The structure required major renovations. Undaunted by the tasks before
them, Minister Lyles, his devoted group, their families and friends labored
long and hard to transform the building into a sanctuary.
The Carter Memorial COGIC and its pastor, Dr. Frank J. Ellis, were instrumental in the establishment of Emmanuel Ministries. In addition to prayers and words of encouragement, Dr. Ellis and the congregation of Carter Memorial, provided key financial and in-kind support, including an organ, and pulpit and offering furnishings. The Mason Memorial C.O.G.I.C. and its pastor, Dr. Cornelius Washington, donated chairs for the sanctuary.
On Sunday, September 13, 1987, Emmanuel held its first morning worship service with a capacity crowd, including visitors from the Emmanuel Youth Chapel of New York City and the Emmanuel C.O.G.I.C. of Lawnside, New Jersey. Minister Lyles’ message was “Come Meet a Man Called Jesus”. Later that afternoon, the Carter Memorial congregation came to worship in the refurbished sanctuary; Dr. Ellis delivered the message. Later that week, Dr. Washington and his congregation fellowshipped with Emmanuel.
On Sunday November 1, 1987, the Emmanuel Ministries was officially dedicated by Bishop David Washington Spann, Sr. Prelate Greater Maryland Jurisdiction, Church of God In Christ. The church was placed in the Northeastern District, where the Dr. Arthur Riley Shields was the Superintendent.
Under the leadership of Pastor Lyles, in April 2000, Emmanuel moved to its present location, 4839 Hazelwood Avenue; a 4.5-acre campus. Educational, social and economic ministries are operated from the 11,000 sq. ft. edifice/office complex.
Emmanuel’s success can be attributed to God’s Graciousness, and the pastor and members who are faithfully continuing to advance the Kingdom of God. The Word of God, maintaining the unity of the spirit, seeking after the presence of God are the foundations of the past, the standards of the present and benchmarks for the future. To reflect a greater vision, in 2018, Emmanuel Ministries became Greater Emmanuel Ministries Church Of God In Christ.