Emmanuel Temple Church of God 1.35

Answering the Call. Writing the Vision.
The vision of Emmanuel Temple was birthed in 1975? under the leadership of founders Bishop James A. Whittier, Sr. and Mother Queen E. Whittier. Early in his ministry, the late Bishop Whittier served as an Associate Minister at New Christ Temple Church of God, under the leadership of the late Elder Alexander Whittier, Jr. and later, as Assistant Pastor of New Jerusalem Temple, under the leadership of Bishop Stewart Stiles. As he faithfully fulfilled these duties, Bishop James A. Whittier, Sr. could hear the Lord calling him further into service. In passionate response to the call of God on his life to win souls for the Kingdom, Bishop and Mother Whittier opened their hearts and home by organizing and hosting tarrying services in which a growing number of people were being filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

While serving in the capacity of Assistant Pastor, Bishop and Mother Whittier continued to grow the Outreach Ministry, careful to adhere closely to the leadership of the Lord and that of his pastor. As a result, people continued to come to the knowledge of Christ and receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. In time, Bishop Whittier recognized the voice of the Lord calling him into a pastoral office. The Outreach Ministry that Bishop and Mother Whittier had faithfully served would be the beginning of the Emmanuel Temple of today.

The ministry that began in the home of these faithful servants was so strongly characterized by the movement of the Holy Ghost that the church would come to be named Emmanuel (translated: His name is God with us) Temple Church of God. In 1982 Emmanuel Temple Church of God moved from the home of Bishop and Mother Whittier to 5340 Harney, a building formerly used as a machine shop. In 1987, the church would move from the machine shop to 4932 Union, a building once used as a laundromat and currently serving as the educational building of Emmanuel Temple.

The progressive growth that was evident in the physical movement of the church was a pale comparison to the progressive growth and spiritual movement taking place in the hearts and lives of the body of Christ within those walls. As a result of the teaching and nurturing ministry of the late Bishop James A. Whittier, Sr. and Mother Queen E. Whittier, many people converted their lives by repenting of their sins and many of these souls were filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. The impact of this powerful ministry team continues today and extends far beyond Emmanuel Temple because it produced many preachers, teachers, singers, deacons and ushers, many of whom now have their own ministries in St. Louis and beyond.

Our very own presiding pastor, Bishop Dr. Ronnie Whittier, is a powerful example of the legacy left behind by the late Bishop James A. Whittier, Sr., having been taught the essential elements and functions of the ministry by the Founding Pastor in the office of Assistant Pastor for sixteen years prior to his current appointment as pastor of Emmanuel Temple. In May of 1998, the Lord called his faithful servant home. His vision remains, written plainly and faithfully executed by the Founding First Lady, Mother Queen E. Whittier and the current leadership of Emmanuel Temple, Bishop Dr. Ronnie Whittier and First Lady Evangelist Winnetta Whittier.