Realizing the
sacrifices of beginning a new work, and reluctant
to be removed from comfort zones; Pastor Edward
Fairley did all he could to avoid the position he
now holds as Founder and Pastor of Koinonia and
Christian Ministries. Like Jonah he attempted to
travel in other directions, but the Hand of The
Lord was upon Him. After much wrestling, praying
and many sleepless nights pastor Fairly submitted
his will to the perfect will of God. Several
Weeks of travail followed as he prepared to take
this step. Finally at 8:00 a.m. on Palm Sunday,
March 31, 1997, supported by two long time
friends; Pastor Robert C. Burley of New Jerusalem
Missionary Baptist Church of Baltimore Maryland,
and Rev. Rufus McClendon, Chaplain at East Jersey
State Prison, Rahway, New Jersey, he found
himself in the birthing room of the Holy spirit,
known as the Conyers Funeral
Home, 226 Passaic Street,
Hackensack, New Jersey.
Approximately
200 friends and well wishers came to witness the
first cries of Koinonia. In his inaugural sermon,
Pastor Fairley raised the question "Who
Pleaded The Case for Jesus?" This birth was
chronicled on video tape by Bro. Joseph Jones of
Our Lady of Victories R.C. Church, Paterson, NJ.
Controversy immediately ensued, and the following
day, by order of the city of Hackensack we were
compelled to find other quarters to house our
fellowship. This would become the beginning of
this Preacher/Pastor's days as a weeping prophet;
but after the tears he began to call upon the
Saints to pray. Within 24 hours, through the
intervention of Sis. Helen Byrd Mitchener, we had
7 dwelling places from which to choose.
Ultimately we decided to be temporarily housed in
the Paterson YWCA,
185 Carroll Street, Paterson, New Jersey.
So
on Easter Sunday Morning, April 7, 1996, KOINONIA
received her first member, Sis. Grace Kennedy,
who joined the Founding/Charter Members.
Recognizing the need to study God's word, yet
realizing that we had no space of our own, the
first Mid-Week Bible study was held at the home
of Sis. Gail VanRensalier on June 19, 1996.
Adopting the pattern of the early church in the
book of Acts our Mid-week Service/Bible Study has
been visited from house to house among the
membership.
After thorough instruction from the Pastor
concerning The Lord's supper, assisted by Rev.
Sharon Monsanto, our first observance took place
on July 7, 1996 at the First A.M.E. Zion Church,
Paterson, New Jersey thanks to the gracious
Pastor Douglas L. Maven.
On
July 29, 1996 Pastor Fairley called a meeting
where he appointed Sis. Kathryn Workman as
chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
Worship services continued at the YWCA until July
21, 1996 when Mr. David Davis and Mrs. Erna
White, proprietors of Davis
& Sons' Funeral Home,
628 Market Street, Paterson, NJ made available to
us the use of their Chapel. We graciously
accepted their generosity.
At
a week of Service of Recognition this body of
Christ know as, KOINONIA and Christian Ministries
was formally introduced to the community. On
Monday, August 19, 1996, Pastor Elaine Merritt,
of Highway
|
Holiness Church,
Hackensack, NJ, raised the question: "What
Brings You To This City?". On Tuesday,
August 20, 1996, Pastor Allene Gilmore of Gilmore
Memorial Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C., Paterson, NJ
shared with us from the subject:
"Fear". On Wednesday, August 21, 1996,
Pastor Douglas Maven of First A.M.E. Zion Church,
Paterson NJ asked us: "Where Is The
One?". On Thursday, August 22, 1996, Pastor
Richard Watkins of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church,
Harlem, NYC shard with us: "How Do We Become
Members in the Body of Christ?" On Friday,
August 23, 1996 Pastor Toney Jackson of Bethlehem
Missionary Baptist Church, Newark, NJ, shared
with us a 'how- to' sermon in, "Turning
Problems Into Opportunities".
This week of services culminated on Sunday,
August 25, 1996, with the formal installation of
Reverend Edward Fairly as Pastor of Koinonia and
Christian Ministries. Pastor Kevin Jones of First
Baptist Church, Teaneck, NJ presided and Pastor
Ray Frazier of Mount Ararat Baptist Church,
Rutherford, NJ, preached about "Changed
Agendas."
In
a joint Sunday morning worship at Mount Ararat
Baptist Church, six member were led to baptismal
waters on October 6, 1996. Those persons baptized
by Pastors Fairley and Frazier were: Sis. Loretta
Fisher - Bro. Robert Fisher, Sr. - Bro. Jeffrey
Johnson - Bro. Alvin McKinney, Jr. - Sis. Jill
Johnson-McKinney and Sis. Kathryn Workman.
On December 31, 1996 we held our first Watch
night service, where Pastor Rufus McClendon
raised the question, "Who Is He and What Is
He To You?"
On
Sunday, February 9, 1997, Pastor convened our
first congregation meeting due to postponement of
and earlier date. At said meeting the need for a
Church Building fund was established, and two
weeks later on February 23, 1997 the first
sizable donation of $1000 was made to that fund
by Bro. & Sis. Robert L. Fisher, Sr. in the
memory of their son, slain Police Officer, Robert
L. Fisher, Jr.
The following is a list of the members who joined
ranks with our founding members and first
official member during our first year: Bro. Qwan
J. Fairley - April 21, 1996; Sis. Kathryn E.
Workman - June 2, 1996; Bro. Jeffrey Johnson -
July 21, 1996; Bro. Alvin McKinney, Jr. - August
25, 1996; Bro. Robert Fisher and Sis. Loretta
Fisher - September 8, 1996; Bro. Sylvester West
and Sis. Debra West - September 29, 1996; Sis.
Audrie Lawson - October 6, 1996 and Sis. Angela
I. Davis - December 8, 1996.
We
are eternally grateful to the following
benefactors: Bro. Jeffrey L. Johnson -
Multifunction copier; Pastor Robert C. Burley -
Computer; Star of Hope Mission - Hammond Organ;
Carnie P. Bragg, Jr. - Hammond Organ and David
Davis and Erna White for allowing The Lord to use
them to provide a home for us.
Our First Pastoral Anniversary was on Sunday,
June 8, 1997. Rev. Kevin Jones was our guest
preacher. That Service was followed with a dinner
at the Mountainside Inn, Clifton, NJ.
Our first Women's Day was on Sunday, November 9,
1997. Our theme was Women Who Stand, Are
Co-Workers With Christ and the Rev. Dr. Arlene
Church was the guest preacher.
On Friday, March 29, 1997 we hosted our first
Good Friday service at first A.M.E. Zion Church.
The theme was "The Lamb."
On Saturday, April 11, 1998, we visited a
building based upon information that it was to
become available for purchase. After additional
negotiation it was agreed that on Mother's Day,
May 10, 1998 we would begin holding joint service
with the Mission Church of God. Subsequently, on
August 28th, we acquired the building, officially
becoming property owners.
"To
God be the Glory for the things He has
done."
|