Church of the Apostolic Authority

History


Church of the Apostolic Authority

(Formerly Alpha & Omega Church of Jesus Christ)
Narrative by Evangelist Melinda Elam

30 years ago, Prophet McGhee came to Champaign, Illinois at the invite of Evangelist Inez Tillman. Shortly after, God began to deal with him to start a church because of the great need of the people in Central Illinois.

Being obedient to the Lord, the church began with two members, Prophet McGhee and Christopher Odom, with Evangelist Inez Tillman and family soon to follow. Evangelist Tillman’s daughter, Desiree Tillman, became the first organist. The Church was located at 212 West Hill street in central down town Champaign. This location saw many people come in and out that frequented the down town streets. Many souls came and united under this fellowship and many were baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. At this location, the church did not have a baptismal pool but received permission to baptize souls in Jesus’ name at the local United Pentecostal Church.

Those that came in the beginning that helped lay the foundation:

June and Kenneth Shelby and family Mother Hale-From Jamaica
Shanice “Praise Joy” Thomas Wintjen –Assistant Pastor
Betty Wintjen Bernice McClure Harvey and Family
Elder Wright and Elder Holloway Marie Dockery
Charla Green Mom and Pop Sweeney
Verna Mobley and Family Melinda Elam and Family
Alean Smith and Family Doris and Tommie Smith and Family
Brenda Turner and Family Christopher Logan
Dale Kirkesey Terrence McGee
Mother Mary Gibbs and Family Minnie May Love
Mother Alean Patterson Verdie Finney
Mother & Deacon Herman Pryor and Family

Three of the Freewill Harmonizers, which consisted of Brother Everette Elam, Brother Charles Wilson and Brother Kenneth Shelby

The musicians on Hill Street were; Desiree Tillman, Clarence Williams, Jimmie Pryor, Charles Wilson, Chris Logan and Vince and Everette Elam, and Helen White.

The First marriage performed at the church was Vivian Lyles and Charles Wilson

These individuals served as the foundation of our church. The church eventually moved from 212 West Hill Street to 905 North Fairview in Urbana and the church grew by leaps and bounds. Adding to the Mothers Board was, Mother Ruby Sanders, Mother Doris Williams, Mother Linda Maze and Mother Juanita Williams. Deacon Ernest Lee and Nadine Lee were also instrumental as trustees. The choir stand could not hold the choir; the overflow would have to line the walls to sing. Our Pastor and choir were in great demand for engagements all over the state of Illinois. Verdie Finney became our first church secretary. Many people sought our Pastor out for prayer and counseling. We purchased a bus to keep up with the traveling demands that we called Big Red, on it was written Acts 2:38. In time we also purchased another bus and a van. Eventually, we joined the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Our Pastor was also blessed during our tenure on 905 West Fairview to meet & marry Sister Deena Davis in July 1989. From this union came three wonderful sons, Edward T. McGhee, Edwind T. McGhee and Edmond T. McGhee. In a short time, our pastor was elevated from District Elder to Suffragan Bishop and has held several prominent positions in the Illinois District Council. Suffragan Bishop McGhee is currently the IDC Director of the Young People’s Union.

Church of the Apostolic Authority’s First Officers:

Ladine (June) Shelby, first Usher Board President and held this position for many years
Inez Tillman, first Missionary President
Mother Hale, first Mother’s Board President

The choir was formed in 1980 and Charles Wilson was the President. We had a drummer, lead guitar and bass guitar players. By 1998, the choir was officially named The Voices of Pentecost. One Sunday, Derrick White went to Pastor and asked that he pray for his hands that he might play the organ… Brother White has been playing ever since. After growing in the church, Joel Elam was later added as a drummer.

As the church continued to grow, we moved in 1989 on New Year’s Eve to our present location, 400 West Bradley Avenue in Champaign. Now, over 30 years later, CAA has many ministries and teams such as a Step Team, an Adult and Teen Choir, a Dance Team, an Administrative Team, a Worship Team, a Ministerial Alliance, a Campus Outreach Ministry, two sister Alpha and Omega churches, one in Bloomington and the other in Peoria, all pastored and founded by Suffragan Bishop Edward T. McGhee. The church also has an annual scholarship for graduating seniors named after Mother Charlene Henderson, Sister Helen White & Bro. Lee Cummings, Jr. entitled White-Henderson-Cummings Scholarship.

Down through the years and through it all, the Lord has been good to us. Many of us can truly say that our church saying is true… “Come with us and we will do you good.”