Refreshing Springs Church

MISSION STATEMENT

TO MAKE MORE AND BETTER DISCIPLES FOR THE GLORY OF GOD 

VISION STATEMENT

Helping men, women and families from multiple economic and ethnic backgrounds to truly know Jesus - making disciples throughout Western New York State , and the world, through evangelism, planting churches, equipping workers, and establishing leaders. 

  

CORE VALUES

HISTORY OF REFRESHING SPRINGS CHURCH 

One day a small group of believers agreed to come together because God placed a mission on their hearts.  The mission was for the perfecting of the saints, equipping them for the work of the ministry, and edification of the body of Christ for the Glory of God. 

   

Emory and Gwen Brown, Wayne Norman and Marie Daniels (deceased) were the attendees of the very first Home Bible Study.  Mother Daniels as we affectionately called her opened her home in June 1992.  Within two years of prayer and Bible study we out grew our meeting place.  Utilizing all of the major rooms in the home, living room, dining room and kitchen, we began to pray that God would open a door for us to have a larger facility.  We had a large amount of people attending and we needed a place to accommodate them. 

In October 1993, the Lord blessed us with a suitable facility.  We moved to the Church of The Ascension located on 16 Linwood Avenue, Buffalo, New York.  Our services expanded to Sunday and Wednesday evening services. 

During this time Emory felt he didn’t want us to be an independent church.  He was ordained on August 7, 1988 by the Church of God in Christ (COGIC).  However, he decided against staying in the COGIC denomination.  He was interviewed by the Church of God and declined their offer of a Pastoral position.  After praying and seeking God for direction, he contacted The Amherst Christian and Missionary Alliance Church .  Steven Miller, pastor of Amherst Alliance suggested he contact the Northeast District office in Rome, New York . 

Thomas Peck (deceased), Church Planting Director, accompanied by his wife Peggy, came to Buffalo to meet with us.  Over several months of prayer and communication, we organized and became a part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Northeast District in October 1994. 

A Governing Board, Music Ministry, Ushers Board, and Children’s Church were organized.  Saturday evenings we met for intercessory prayer to seek the Lord’s further direction.   The Lord opened yet another door for us, this edifice where we are gathered today.  On July 14, 1996 we had our first Sunday morning service under the direction of Emory Brown. 

On October 6, 1996 our pastor was installed and the church building was dedicated to the Lord for His word.  Francis Leonard the Assistant District Superintendent officiated accompanied by his wife Lillian. 

Our original Elders board was established and organized in October of 1999.  Elders: Emory Brown; Wayne Norman; Brian Kim; Marvin Blakely; Dale Peters. 

Overall, The Christian and Missionary Alliance as a denomination has been in existence for 116 years.  The Northeast District was formed in the 1930s, and includes all of New York State , except New York City .  Pastor Emory Brown was the first African American to be ordained in the Northeast District. 

November 2005, The leadership and congregation of the Refreshing Springs Church voted to reincorporate as Refreshing Springs Ministries no longer associated with, but appreciating the ten year history with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (www.cmalliance.org).

Since leaving the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Refreshing Springs Church has become an independent church; we adhere to the doctrines of grace, and the London Baptist Confession of 1644.  With regard to what the Apostle Paul referred to in 1 Corinthians 12-14 as spiritual gifts, we are non-cessationist (the work and gifts of the Spirit did not cease at the end of the first century or at the closing of the canon in the fourth century), though we do not agree with unbiblical expressions of the gifts as found in many churches today.  Our journey has, since leaving the Christian and Missionary Alliance, taken us into biblical theology and the Antioch tradition of interpreting scripture literally in its context according to the author's intent.  We have become involved with the work of BILD International through its First Principles Series and its Antioch School (church-based theological education), and have been working with other churches regionally and internationally to encourage them to follow the Antioch tradition and so continue to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28.

January 2012: For the last year or so, we have been praying about being able to devote more resources to the work that the Lord has given us and that has led us to discuss selling our building at 34 Elam Place.  In April of this year, the voting members of the congregation voted unanimously to sell the building and to rent space elsewhere for Sunday services.  The building has since been sold and we're praying for the Lord to open the door to a space where we can meet for Sunday services so that we can devote more resources to the Antioch tradition and the spreading of the gospel.  Meanwhile, our primary means of fellowship and the ministry of the word is through our small groups.

October 2012: We have secured a facility for Sunday Evening Services. 2056 Genessee St. "Schiller Park Senior Services." We begin a new chapter in God's will for our lives as we continue in the calling God has given us as a family of families. As we have seen our people go off to Ecuador, Canada, and soon Cameroon, we continue our work in Uganda and locally in the Great Commission. Pray about Sunday Mornings as we look for the exact place and timing ofthe Lord. Look for us to announce soon our Television/Radio ministries as well.