The history of ebon temple, inc.
EBON Temple, Inc. was given to our founder and Presiding Prelate, Bishop Thomas S. Lee, Jr., years ago through a vision. It emerged from a community choir, The Ebony Voices.
The term EBON is an acronym, meaning "Everlasting Believers of the Nazarene (Jesus)." This is a non-denominational Ministry branded a Holy Church, directed by the Holy Spirit. EBON is a unified body of believers confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and accepting the Holy Bible as the written source of authority. (Wisdom)
The purpose of this ministry is to bring together the minds of people, helping to eliminate unsound doctrines that prevent unity in Christ. We believe in the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost) and stressed the importance of Love, Peace, and Happiness.
The founding Board of EBON Temple consisted of 11 people and the doors were opened in January of 1986, at the Lake Richmond Dr Christian Center, the first outreach center. God bless the Ministry there abundantly. Because of faithful labor, winning souls. and continued growth, phase 1 of EBON Temple was constructed on the site at 7255 Wallace Road. The first service there was held on June 3rd, 1990, in the dedicatory services were July 22nd - August 5th, 1990.
Through continued prayer, faith and dedication to His service and business, God rewarded us greatly by giving us new grounds. The groundbreaking ceremony for this, our present site, was held January 11th, 1998, and the dedication and consecration service was September of 1998. God is awesome!
The Scripture upon which we stand is II Corinthians 5:17 which states in part, "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature."
Our Prophetic Scripture was given to Sister Dorothy Whitaker at the conception of the ministry. The Prophetic Scripture is Isaiah 60:18-22. Verse 18 states, "Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls salvation and thy gates praise." (A Standard!)
It goes on to state in verse 21... "Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified." (A Criteria)
Verse 22 concludes the Prophetic Scripture by stating, "A little one shall become 1000, and a small one a strong nation; I the Lord will hasten it in His time."
The Ministries of EBON extend to Alabama, Florida and Georgia. They include Miracle Tabernacle, Orlando, (The late Bishop Alfonso Hardiman, founder) - Bishop-Elect Linda A. Mealy: Pastor; Abundant Life Ministries, Pavo, GA., Bishop-Elect Morris Pittman, Pastor; Many Mansions, Thomasville, GA., Bishop Luther Woodruff, Pastor; and the Alabama Ministries, Tuscaloosa, Al., Overseer Shirley Johnson.
Other ministries have included the darkest Center, the late Deacon Bruce and mother Bernice Mortimer; The Patty Jackson Rehabilitation Outreach; the Boy's Ministry; Singles, Senior, Couples, Tourists, Dance, Banner, and Compassion ministries.
In 2008, we were blessed with the acquisition of the J.D. Price Theological Seminary and Bible College - Dr. Joanna Price Franklin, Founder; in the Jesus Loves You Outreach Ministries - Elder Charles and Minister Pauline Jackson.
C O L O R S
BLUE, GRAY, and WHITE
BLUE - TRUTH
John 8:32 - "And ye shall know: the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
GRAY - MATURITY
1 Corinthians 3:1-2
"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as a spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."
WHITE - PURITY
Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they be red like crimson, they shall be like wool.