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The history of True Church of the Living God dates back to December of 2016. After hearing directly from the spirit of God and that word being confirmed through prophecy, Dr. Jemel Pace founded Emmanuel’s House of Restoration, Inc in Mount Vernon, New York. The Lord began to speak to Pastor Pace in the beginning of 2016 through visions and dreams. God showed him that it was time to step out of the nest.

 

“I must say that I was extremely reluctant because I didn’t want to disappoint the Pastor I was under while also and ultimately not attempting to displease God.” – Dr. Jemel Pace, Pastor   

 

One day the Lord led Pastor Pace and his family to go visit a church in Yonkers, NY.   He was compelled to go to the altar where a prophet spoke to him and said “It’s time. The Lord told you to begin and do what He called you to do. Do not worry about the pastor, I will take care of him.” Everything began to be so clear. The prophet said to write the vision and make it plain. The prophet also reassured Pastor Pace by saying, “Don’t worry about your wife, she will be on board!” Unbeknown to the prophet, Pastor would often share the Lord’s vision for the ministry with his wife, Lady Florence Pace, and often said to her “I need you to be on board.” The Word of the Lord was confirmed through this Prophet.

 

Meetings began directly in the apartment of the Pace family located on Gramatan Avenue in Mount Vernon.  Every Thursday, Pastor Pace conducted H.B.O. Thursday.  He was inspired by his mother, the late Lady Martha Pace, to use the acronym H.B.O. which stands for Hear the Word, Believe the Word, Obey the Word.  This is the church’s Bible Study and is still being held today.

 

Through H.B.O. Thursday, the ministry gained over 30 members and many even received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and were delivered. As the ministry continued to grow, the church began Sunday morning prayer in the Pace home.  Members and visitors would gather and make their petitions known unto God.

 

In June of 2017, Pastor Pace was officially installed as Pastor of Emmanuels House of Restoration by Bishop Tyrone Butler in White Plains, New York.  The Church officially became a part of the New York Southeast Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ.

 

In August of 2017, Sunday Services began and were held every Sunday at 10am.   The ministry continued to grow in New York until September of 2020 when Pastor Pace and his family relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina. 

 

The decision to relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina was not an easy decision.  However, it was ordained by God.

 

Although the ministry in New York grew, people began to leave and Pastor Pace did not understand why. It was discouraging.  He began to ask the Lord why everyone was leaving.  

 

“The Lord told me he’s a God of order and He has a different vineyard for me and although it is hurtful, a shift was about to take place.”  - Dr. Jemel Pace, Pastor

 

The shift that God was preparing Pastor Pace for had not yet been revealed so it was not yet easy to understand. However, one morning at approximately 4:30am, the Lord spoke to Pastor Pace clearly showing him through a vision that he was to move to Charlotte, NC. That was the vineyard that the Lord had for him.  

 

“I told the Lord I only know how to survive in New York, I don’t have a support system in Charlotte but the Lord spoke to me just like how he spoke to Abram and said “Get out of the country out of thy fathers house away from thy kindred. I am going to show you a place that will flow with milk and honey.” I asked the Lord for a sign just like Gideon did and he showed me more signs than expected.” – Dr. Jemel Pace, Pastor

 

In the midst of a pandemic, Pastor Pace, his wife and his five kids moved to Charlotte, NC which is where the headquarters of the ministry is located today and now operates under the name True Church of the Living God – a name that was given to Pastor Pace while living in New York and before he received the direction to move.

 

The ministry continues to flourish and has members in several states.  We continue to count on the Lord to order our steps as we strive to stay in His perfect will.