Facebook Badge

Monday, May 26, 2014

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CITN!

May 26, 2014

29 years ago today I started the church that is now CHURCH IN THE NOW...
 
Pentecost Sunday fell on May 26 that year (1985), and that's the day that I chose to have our first service...it comes later this year because Easter came late (Pentecost is 50 days after Easter), which is why we will be celebrating on June 8 (Pentecost Sunday 2014) this year, instead of on the actual date (today)...

In those 29 years we have been 'Word of Faith Assembly of God' (1985-1988), 'Word of Faith Christian Center' (1988-1995), 'Church In The Now' (1995-2011), and 'Church In The Now East/Church In The Now Midtown' (2011- present)...I haven't done the math to try to figure out how many sermons I have preached from 1985 to the present, not to mention all the songs I have sung and all the weddings, funerals, baby dedications, baptisms, pastoral ordinations, hospital visitations, counseling appointments, prison visitations, radio and TV programs, and prayers that I have prayed for the people in the congregation in those 29 years, but suffice it to say, it has been a lot...I have never been out of the pulpit for more than any 2 consecutive Sundays in those 29 years, and that was only on occasions when I was out of the country ministering...

In these past 29 years we have gone from being a small, storefront church, to being a bona fide megachurch with ministries all over the world, a successful television ministry, a Bishopric that covered 170+ churches and ministries, both foreign and domestic, and a global pulpit with far-reaching prophetic influence...we have also been in some kind of building program for nearly the entire 29 years, which eventually conceived, designed and created a 25 million dollar multi-building complex on 43 acres on I-20 on the eastside of Metropolitan Atlanta, GA...
 
CLICK HERE FOR PICS: https://www.facebook.com/jim.swilley1/media_set?set=a.419138324767264.113409.100000132993860&type=3

 On this 29th anniversary I have much to be thankful for, and much to think about concerning my own future in ministry...of course I am profoundly grateful to all the many people who have helped me realize the dream that became Church In The Now, and believe that every single one of them will be rewarded for their efforts...

My life is in a very different place now, but I have no regrets...my hope is that my works, once tried in the fire, will not be burned up as "wood, hay, and stubble", but will come forth as pure gold...

Happy Anniversary, CITN...

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]."


(I Corinthians 15:58 - Amplified Bible)

27 comments:

  1. James Thomas Pearman said...

    Your ministries will come forth as pure gold! I am so thankful that you followed the call on your life. I pray that the message of God's radically inclusive love be spread to all those who have given up hope so that they might find their hope again and be restored through your ministry .. love you Bishop!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Don Keathley said...

    Well done Bishop. You have stayed the course and endured all the storms and you are still standing stronger than ever. With you my friend, I can't help but feel that the best is truly yet to come.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Linda M Curtis said...

    It is an incomparable legacy, already. Anything the future hold for you, in ministry, and otherwise, cannot and will not ever tarnish or change it. Clearly YOU are Gold .

    ReplyDelete
  4. April Woodall said...

    I have at least 100 or more of your sermons and P.Debye's sermons,all on tape(haha)I am glad I have them.Happy Anniversary to you.God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Chuck Day said...

    CITN has been a blessing to my family! Thanks and blessings Bishop!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anthoni Chris said...

    Your ministry and service to God and his people live on especially in me. As a former Calvary Chapel pastor, now a out Gay Pastor you have given me hope.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Martha Greer Smith said...

    Thank you! Your ministry has touched my life in several ways thru several people including Robert Ruthetford and Jon Scott. I love and appreciate you all.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Brenda Bevelle Yarbrough said...

    I for one am very thankful that you stayed the course...God knew that you had the words of life for me and still do.....I love you just because and I look forward to the abundance that is coming down the pike....at my family reunion this past Sunday we went to my brother's church and he is the only black there...He said u can go to another church if u have a problem...I was proud to tell him my Bishop
    is just like ur pastor so u know I'll be right at home...He couldn't bring it like you but then there's only one unique, powerful, fun - loving you.....

    ReplyDelete
  9. Stephen Roberts said...

    Thank you, Jim, for sharing. You are blessed, and loved, by many.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ken Marshall said...

    Happy 29th Anniversary ! Clearly God has led you on all your transitions just as he will continue to do. I'm thankful for his calling on your life . Your teachings have been a blessing to so many people especially for me . I've learned so much from you in the past 2 years . I've never felt the presence of God so strong as I do at CITN ! I know Gods got you and will continue to light your path and give you the guidance you need . I'm so proud of you and I'm proud to be by your side and to see what God has planned for your future . Keep moving forward cause your best days are coming ! I love you !

    ReplyDelete
  11. Charisse Dancy said...

    Add me to the list of those who you made a great impact on. Because of your testimony of buying your house in your sermon, I stepped out on faith and bought my first home.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Steve Cyr said...

    Simply thanking God for your obedience and heart . Whatever season God has you moving into bloom where you are planted brother and enjoy much peace and happiness .

    ReplyDelete
  13. Pure gold. You have no fear to be tested in the fire, and for that, you will always thrive. Thankful for your ministry in my life!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Angel Miller said...

    happy 29th anniversary bishop swilley and to all your people the best is always yet to come when it comes to you your ministry and all who surround you i rejoice with you and yours love angel

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jill Osborne said...

    My time there changed my life, helped me grow deeper in Christ and learned some valuable lessons. I'm thankful for that season, it led me to who I am now.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Randolph G. Lawrence said...

    Congratulation my friend on a job well done

    ReplyDelete
  17. Demetrio Villacorta said...

    Bishop Swilley thank You .
    You are a blessings for our Latino pastors greetings from Perú . Happy CITN anniversary .Love You bishop Jim for been an inspiración to thousands around the world at Jesús Chist church

    ReplyDelete
  18. Winfred FightingMediocrity Christian said...

    Happy 29th anniversary to you Bish and all the CITN family. I have had the privilege of being a part of this community of believers for the last 15 years and have witnessed the impact that CITN has had on

    ReplyDelete
  19. Winfred FightingMediocrity Christian said...

    My bad, I hit post before I was done. I have witnessed the impact that your ministry has had on countless lives. Your ministry has been a blessing to me and my family. We love you, and whatever your future path holds for you just know that your steps are ordered. You have already left a mark that can't be erased.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Brandon Mitchell said...

    I really can't think of anyone who had more influence on my life than you Bishop Jim Swilley , that will never change... No matter what the future holds.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks so much, everyone...I really appreciate your kind words!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Brenda Person said...

    A few of my favorite: Remember what you heard from the beginning , the awesome teaching on The Holy Spirit ,

    Dream Laugh Play.

    Do you remember the Sunday you preached sitting in a boat ? It's time to get out of the boat and ride the waves of change.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Rowena Silvera said...

    Oh and I know that I know what is next is going to be HUGE!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Soni Dailey Brumlow said...

    wow , what a great ride it has been. Still have my Word of Faith softball jersey . A lot of great memories and not one regret . I love you and treasure these past 29 years

    ReplyDelete
  25. Rashaun Davis said...

    Congrats Jim Swilley !! Many blessings and counting.!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. David A. Stone said...

    Don't Stop!

    ReplyDelete