"The Church In The Heart Of The Community With The People Of The Community In Its Heart Where Everybody Is Somebody And Jesus Christ Is Lord."
"The Church In The Heart Of The Community With The People Of The Community In Its Heart Where Everybody Is Somebody And Jesus Christ Is Lord."
Inspirational Leader, Faithful Servant
Bishop James Sheppard was a beloved spiritual father, and mentor. His teachings of the gospel, his wisdom, and his compassion touched countless lives.
To the late Mother Dolores Sheppard, she was a strong mother, firm to the teaching and doctrine of the gospel. They will always be in my heart forever.
"The Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ"
In 1997, we took the first step in building more than just a church — we laid the foundation for a legacy of hope, faith, and community.
"The Church In The Heart Of The Community With The People Of The Community In Its Heart Where Everybody Is Somebody And Jesus Christ Is Lord."
This quote encapsulates the essence of our church: a place where everyone is welcomed, valued, and celebrated.
Our foundation started small and rocky, but through the grace of God, faith, and perseverance, we have grown stronger with each passing year.
Born in Cherryville, NC, to parents Fred and Jacquline Gilliard, Pastor Gillard attended public school in Williamsburg County and graduated in 1980. On December 29, 1985, he was united in Holy Matrimony to the First Lady, Geradline Gilliard. They are blessed with two sons: Anthony Antiwan Gilliard, Jr., and Anthony Anterrius Gilliard.
"Back in 1991, I was living in New York City when God reached out to me, and I began to seek the Lord with my life. Soon after, the Lord spoke to me through a vision..."
In this vision, Pastor Gillard saw himself being lifted into the sky, seeing the city far below him, and then transported to South Carolina. He saw snow falling around him and, in a moment, was back at his childhood home. There, he was led across a field, observing a glass road with pits of fire beneath it. Pastor Gillard recalls, "As I crossed the ditch and headed toward my grandmother's home, I saw a man sitting in a chair. His head was down, and as I approached, everything vanished, and I woke up in New York City."
"God had spoken to me: return to my childhood home in South Carolina, and He would show me what He had for me to do."
Struggling to understand how to fulfill this calling, Pastor Gillard wrestled with the decision for months. While living in New York, he had a good job, but the call from God was undeniable. One Sunday morning, his Pastor, Bishop Bonner, preached a sermon that seemed meant for him: "If you have a difficult decision to make, go on a ten-day fast and trust the Lord."
Pastor Gillard embarked on a ten-day fast, praying for God's guidance. By the tenth day, he hadn't yet received an answer, but on that morning, something miraculous happened: "I heard birds chirping in the subway and the office hallways—something that you never hear in New York."
At that moment, without hesitation, he gave his boss two weeks' notice. When asked about his future plans, he simply responded: "I just need to trust the Lord."
"Just trust Me," the Lord said. And so, Pastor Gillard and his family set out for South Carolina. Despite obstacles, they made the journey safely.
Upon his return, Pastor Gillard was strongly led by the Holy Spirit to start a ministry in his hometown. The initial focus was on door-to-door witnessing, with many opening their homes and hearts to the ministry. "The Lord always provided for us, even during the hardest times," he recalls.
As the church grew, Pastor Gillard encountered challenges. Certain individuals sought to take advantage of the ministry, but God’s sovereign power delivered the church from their evil plans. "What the enemy meant for evil, God turned into good," Pastor Gillard reflects.
"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." (Psalms 118:8)
Pastor Gillard learned that only the Lord is worthy of his complete trust. "God used these hardships to make me a better shepherd to His people," he says, grateful for the blessings that followed.
Today, the church family has expanded, and Pastor Gillard continues to be inspired by faithful men of God. One mentor told him:
"Remember the vision God gave you and write it down, for the vision is for an appointed time."
In 1993, the Lord gave Pastor Gillard the name for the church: Community Temple Church.
Our mission is to bring you closer to the Lord into the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
- Pastor Donald GillardAt Community Temple Church, we follow the biblical plan of salvation as taught in the Book of Acts. We believe in baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues.
We also affirm that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, fully embodying both the Father and the Son. This truth is revealed in scriptures such as 1 Timothy 3:16 and Colossians 2:9, where the mystery of godliness and the fullness of the Godhead are explained in relation to Christ.
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is essential for the remission of sins, and we find clear instruction in Acts 2:38, where Peter outlines the steps to salvation.
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
We are also called to live a life of holiness, set apart for God. The scriptures command us to pursue holiness, as without it, no one will see the Lord. Holiness involves reflecting God's righteousness in every area of life. This calling is supported by scriptures like Luke 1:75 and Hebrews 12:14, which emphasize living in righteousness and holiness throughout our lives.
“In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.”
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
Central to our faith is the belief in the oneness of God, revealed in Jesus Christ. He is both the Father and the Son, as stated in John 10:30 and Isaiah 9:6, showing that Jesus is the everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.
“I and my Father are one.”
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
We believe that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit, as seen in multiple accounts in Acts. This spiritual sign accompanies the outpouring of the Holy Ghost in the life of a believer.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word...For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
We also uphold biblical teachings regarding church roles and ministry. We do not endorse women preaching in church services, following scriptures such as 1 Timothy 2:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 11:3, which outline the roles of men and women in the church.
“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”
“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”
Furthermore, we believe that a divorced man cannot pastor a church, based on 1 Timothy 3:2. This verse emphasizes that a bishop must be the husband of one wife, guiding us to the conclusion that a divorced man should not serve in the role of pastor.
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach.”