God’s timing is perfect. That’s a key theme in the story of Word Of Love Church in Houston. In 1990 Clause and Doris Payton felt called to ministry. They started a Friday night Bible study in their home. From 1992 to 1993 Clause served as an evangelist.
In 1994 the Paytons organized Word of Life Ministries Houston Inc. It became their church. Pastor Clause and First Lady Doris Payton led the congregation. Word of Life Ministries is now over 20 years old.
The church began at the Harbach Ripley Neighborhood Center on February 27 1994. That’s at 6525 Northdale Houston. They held Wednesday night Bible study and Sunday worship there. Word of Life stayed there for eight years.
The church bought about 1.5 acres at Chickadee and Airport Boulevard. It was in Southeast Houston. But they sold it because it didn’t fit the ministry’s vision.
Even while at Harbach Ripley the members had a vision. They bought about seven acres on Martin Luther King Blvd in November 1996. This was also in Southeast Houston. Challenges delayed the building project. But Pastor Payton kept the vision alive. He reminded everyone that God’s timing is perfect.
In June 2006 the church sold property at 6520 Fairlawn. In August 2006 they moved to 8330 Gulf Freeway. This prepared them for building on Martin Luther King Blvd.
God gave Pastor Payton a theme for 2008. It was “The year of manifestation and God’s glory.” On November 30 2008 Word of Life Ministries Houston broke ground. This was for their new sanctuary at 12770 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Everyone took part in the groundbreaking. They turned some soil. During the “Laying of the Foundation” First Lady Doris Payton read the Church History. Elder Edward Berry read the Statement of Faith. Minister Daniel Maree read the Church Covenant. Elder Willard Johnson read the Mission and Vision Statement.
Pastor Payton placed his original Bible in a hole. It was a 2 ft by 2 ft hole. It was dug where the pulpit would be. He added the Church History, Statement of Faith, the Church Covenant, and the Mission and Vision Statement. All were in plastic covers. This showed the ministry was built on God’s Word. Pastor Payton sealed the foundation with prayer.
Pastors Braque and Linda Wilson from Good Shepherd Church attended. Pastors Michael and Angela Forney from Lifestyle of Christ Church also attended. The vision became reality in September 2009. The dedication service was in October 2009.
Word Of Love Church believes in the Bible as God’s Holy Word. Members accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. They covenant to be one body in Christ.
The church engages in Christian love. They strive for knowledge, faith, holiness, and comfort. They promote prosperity and spirituality. They sustain worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. They give to support the ministry and spread the Gospel.
Members maintain family devotion. They religiously educate their children. They seek the salvation of others. They walk carefully in the world. They are just and faithful. They avoid tattling, backbiting, and anger. They abstain from intoxicating drinks. They advance the Kingdom of Our Savior.
The Word Of Love Church watches over one another. They remember each other in prayer. They aid each other in sickness and distress. They cultivate Christian sympathy and courtesy. They are slow to anger and ready to reconcile. They remember the Savior’s rules. Even when they move they maintain the spirit of the covenant.