Full Gosepl First Church

Can a church be born in a camera shop? For Full Gospel First Church, the answer is a resounding yes. In 1983, Apostle Ron and Dr. Barbara Wilson ignited a spiritual spark in Chicago. Their first service wasn’t in a grand cathedral, but above a humble camera shop. Fifty souls gathered, marking the beginning of Full Gospel First Church. The church’s foundation was built on four pillars: Family, Favor of God, Fear of God, and Faith in God. This simple yet powerful message, “Jesus Saves,” resonated with many. Full Gospel First Church quickly outgrew its initial space. The congregation moved between four temporary locations, witnessing a surge of new members. The church’s influence expanded through radio and television ministries, both titled “Setting the Captives Free.” The church also established the School of Ministerial Training, dedicated to equipping men and women for ministry. Full Gospel First Church hosted renowned gospel artists like Yolanda Adams and Fred Hammond, filling the air with uplifting music. The church became a beacon of hope, mending broken marriages, guiding wayward teens, and offering solace to the hurting and broken-hearted. By 1989, Full Gospel First Church had found a more permanent home on South State Street in South Chicago Heights, Illinois. The church continued to grow, touching countless lives with its message of faith. This growth led to the purchase of twenty acres of land in Hazel Crest, Illinois, marking the start of the Nehemiah Building Project. In 1996, the church moved into a $2.5 million edifice on West 175th Street in Hazel Crest. Apostle Ron and Dr. Barbara Wilson shared their ministry across the globe, from Africa to India, from Barbados to Brazil. Apostle Ron even made history as the first African American to preach in a South African church that had once supported apartheid. Today, Full Gospel First Church continues to thrive, a testament to the power of faith and the vision of its founders.