History of Mega Church
The hallmark of Mega Church is seen in its racial composition. The church is a leader in the Cleveland Metropolitan Area in demonstrating the Kingdom of God in its embrace of all people. The church consists of converted Muslim, completed Jew, Irish, Italian, a large delegation of Hispanic, Caucasian, and African-American members, of all walks of life. Mega Church has been distinguished and recognized for this uniqueness by the leadership of the city. Mega Church is a church that accepts the responsibility of ministering beyond its own. The largest classes that the Federal Housing Authority Administration has seen in its Homebuyers' Education Program, were filled by enthusiastic members of Mega Church and its constituency.
Bishop Luther and Pastor Lois Blackwell's children, Stacy Michelle, Alana Denise and husband, Associate Pastor Louie Hendon, Lucien Christopher and wife, Nafeesa, and Meaghan Christina, are greatly involved in the heart of the church's vision, serving in key roles in the ministry of Mega Church. Bishop Luther and Pastor Lois Blackwell take great delight in their grandchildren, McKenna, Noah,and Jonah born to Lucien and Nafeesa, and Kennedy Raine, Raegan Joi and Jaxon Myles Dwight born to Alana and Louie.
History
Mega Church was birthed through prophecy three years before its existence came to fruition. It stands as a memorial to the faith of Luther and Lois Blackwell and to New Life Fellowship as they were instrumental in seeing the vision manifested through prayer and fasting. On June 2, 1991, Mega Church's (the church had not yet been named and was referred to as Luther Blackwell Ministries) first service was held at 3201 Euclid Avenue (Y.W.C.A.), in the heart of Cleveland. The charter members that were present and are still a vital part of the ministry of Mega Church are: Elder Ronald and Colleen Richeson, Deaconess Andrea Manning, Angela Rozell, Deaconess Lottie Lovelady, Claudette Westley-Floyd, Mildred Lewis, Gail Pickett, Armenia Ashby, Melvinia Miller, Sarah Owens, Daisy Little and Elder Louie Hendon. On Friday, August 2, 1991, Mega Church had its first T.G.I.F. (Thank God It's Friday!) Celebration. A.C.T.I.O.N. (All Church Teaching In One Night) classes began on October 1, 1991. Mega Church was officially named on Friday, October 4, 1991. God gave Bishop Blackwell the name, "Mega," and it means GREAT. The theme for Mega Church is "RAISING UP A PEOPLE TO BE 'GREAT' IN GOD." The Mega Church logo denotes its purpose. Psalm 98:1 reads, "O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm, hath gotten him victory."
This logo represents Mega Church placed in the right hand and right arm of the Almighty God, Who has not only gained the victory for Himself, but for a people as well. The logo comprises the "M" for Mega Church in the right arm of God. The result, being victory, is represented by the crown. On November 29, 1991, during a T.G.I.F. service, the Lord directed Bishop Blackwell to have the church stand on His Word (II Samuel 7:10), that being that He would lead it to a place and it would move no more. On December 1, 1991, the Word from the Lord came that if Mega would be faithful in giving, it would have its church home in a few months. Mega was faithful, and within forty-eight hours, Bishop Blackwell was making an offer on what is now the Mega Church building. Mega's first service at its new home (3170 Scranton) was held on December 31, 1991, in which the first communion was served. Its official grand opening was held on Sunday, January 5, 1992. Its first baptismal service was held on January 26, 1992. On September 18, 1994, Mega Church had its Mortgage Burning Weekend Ceremony, celebrating the paying off of the indebtedness of the church. This was all made possible by the committed membership of Mega Church, which presently stands at over one thousand two hundred (1,200). Mega Church is experiencing growth at the rate of approximately one hundred members per year. This growth led to the adoption of its Early Morning Worship Service, which began December 17, 1995, to accommodate its rapid expansion.
The hallmark of Mega Church is seen in its racial composition. The church is a leader in the Cleveland Metropolitan Area in demonstrating the Kingdom of God in its embrace of all people. The church consists of converted Muslim, completed Jewish, Irish, Italian, Hispanic, Caucasian, and African-American members, of all walks of life. Currently, Mega Church is establishing one of the city's fastest-growing Hispanic outreach ministries. Mega Church has been distinguished and recognized for this uniqueness by the former mayor of the city, Mayor Michael C. White, who made several visits. Mega Church is a church that accepts the responsibility of ministering beyond its own. Enthusiastic members of Mega Church and its constituency filled the largest classes that the Federal Housing Authority Administration has seen in its Home-buyers' Education Program. The Mega Church facility also housed Cleveland's Head Start Program. The Hand 'N Hand Kids Kare Center, a bilingual day care, opened in the fall of 1999. Its constituency is an interesting blend of ethnic groups being, 46.5% Hispanic; 39.5% African American; 9% Caucasian; 2.5% Arabic; and 2.5% Asian. This day care is designed to be a leader in the community in multiracial relations. A new Mega Church Campus is presently in the planning stages to accommodate this Twenty-First Century church and its vision in serving this new millennium.
