Our Church
OUR HISTORY
Ekklesia Temple Apostolic Church was birthed through the faithful obedience of District Elder Derek Sorrells, who served for 28 years alongside his wife Regina at Christ Temple Apostolic Church under the leadership of his father, Bishop Donald Sorrells. In 2008, the Lord gave Elder Sorrells a vision with the name Ekklesia Temple and the mandate, “Called Out to be Called Upon, for Such a Time as This,” which remained in his heart for years as he continued serving faithfully.
In January 2018, the Lord confirmed it was time to move forward, and after divine favor opened doors for a church location, Ekklesia Temple Apostolic Church officially opened on April 8, 2018—a date symbolizing new beginnings. Beginning with only Elder and Lady Sorrells, the Lord added charter members, confirmed His presence through salvation, baptism, and spiritual growth, and blessed the ministry with steady increase.
After seven months, God led the church to its current location at 309 McGregor, where Ekklesia Temple continues its kingdom mission—standing as a light, committed to excellence, and fulfilling the call to be “Called Out to be Called Upon, for Such a Time as This.”
OUR MISSION
At Ekklesia Temple Apostolic Church, we are committed to being a people who are called out to serve God with faithfulness, excellence, and purpose. We value obedience to the voice of the Lord, spiritual growth, and building strong disciples who live separated unto God and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Rooted in biblical truth, we believe in answering God’s call with courage, serving our community with love, and advancing the Kingdom through worship, teaching, and authentic fellowship. In obedience to Christ’s command to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), we are dedicated to making disciples, equipping believers, and being a light that draws others to Jesus Christ—for such a time as this.
OUR VALUES
CHRIST
He is the center of everything we do
GOD SAVES
God is the only one who can forgive sin and save
Like salvation it requires constant movement to become better
EXCELLENCE
LOVE
God is Love
FAMILY
God established family; and it is an example of the church
CHILDREN
HOSPITALITY
They are the future; we should all have a child-like mindset as unto Christ
The characteristic of Jesus Christ; he calls everyone friend
OUR CHURCH COVENANT
As members of Ekklesia Temple Apostolic Church, we commit—by the help of the Holy Spirit—to walk together in Christian love, unity, and holiness. We pledge to support the spiritual growth, worship, doctrine, and mission of the church through faithful service, generous giving, and godly living. We strive to uphold Apostolic teaching in our homes, nurture our families in faith, live with integrity and self-control, and be examples of Christ in the world. We commit to caring for one another through prayer, compassion, accountability, and reconciliation, while actively advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Wherever God may lead us, we remain dedicated to living out the spirit of this covenant and the truth of God’s Word.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and the foundation for our statement of faith.
Our church adheres to and upholds the Apostolic doctrine that was given to the Holy Apostles and follows the teachings of Jesus Christ.
We unite ourselves as a body of baptized believers in Jesus’ name, personally committed to sharing the gospel and Christ’s plan of salvation with lost humanity.
The ordinances of this church are baptism in Jesus’ name and the observance of the Lord’s Supper, in remembrance of His sacrifice for all humanity.
DIVINE ORIGIN
Christ instituted the church as a vital part of God’s divine plan for man. The origin of the church was in and through Christ Jesus. God has revealed himself in many ways and many times throughout the centuries.
God revealed himself through Abraham. The nation Israel was an instrument of God’s revelation of the His Church. God sent Christ, His Son, to proclaim the gospel (good news) of salvation. Christ came proclaiming “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” John 14:6.
Christ established his church to carry
forward his message of salvation after his early ministry was completed. Paul wrote of Christ: “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” Ephesians 1:22-23.
DIVINE LEADERSHIP
Christ as the head of the church, continues to provide spiritual leadership to his body, which is the church of God. Christ said that he purchased the church with his own blood. He will not let it be overcome.
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with
his own blood” Acts 20:28.
DIVINE PURPOSE
Christ established the church to carry out his divine purpose (Great Commission of Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; Mark 1:15. Go therefore. The Great Commission is given on Christ’s authority. Since Christ’s dominion is universal, the gospel must go to the whole world.
This commandment is the primary reason for evangelism and missions, baptizing them in the name of Jesus Christ, see Acts 2:28 and Acts 4:12. Those who become disciples are baptized in the name. There is one name (not “names”), and one baptism; Father, Son, and Spirit are one God.
Disciples are baptized “in” this name because they belong to God, having been brought into the new covenant that expresses the will of the God. The purpose of Christ and the purpose of His church are identical.
Christians, as baptized believers in Jesus name, are to gather as the church for spiritual fellowship, encouragement, training, and worship of Christ.
Christians are then to go out as the living body of Christ, the church, to dwell in the world as proclaimers of Christ’s message of redemption. Focusing as individuals for the coming of the Lord’s day, the snatching
away, called the Rapture, an event where the church is removed from this world. Following the principles of Acts 2:42, until the coming of the Lord.