The birth of True Fellowship Holiness Church began with a longing and vision of Elder Wardell Avant, Sr. and his wife Lucile. After being disenchanted with large, corporate-type churches, they decided they had had enough and decided to go it on their own as an independent church. Elder Avant resigned his then current Pastoral assignment and began searching for a location to call a church.
Finding a location for the church was no easy feat for Elder Avant and his wife. They had little financial resources, but they believed that God would make a way for them to establish a place of worship. Obtaining a mortgage loan for the church was denied again and again, but they were not discouraged. They continued to search and pray. Finally, their prayers were answered.The Lord moved into the heart of a local businessman who owned several warehouse structures. After hearing their desire to start a place of worship, he told them he had a place that could possibly meet their needs. He agreed that they could purchase the building and he would hold the mortgage until paid in full. The agreed upon price was $25,000.
Elder and Sister Avant went to work to make that warehouse a presentable house of worship. After many hours of toiling and going broke, their vision was finally coming to fruition. The church was named by Sister Lucile Avant. The church held its first official meeting in June,1974. The Board of Directors was formed by volunteers. Elder Avant was President, Lucile Avant was Vice President, Iantha Morrissey was Treasurer, Francena Avant was corresponding secretary, and Deborah Avant was recording secretary.
True Fellowship Holiness Church of Miami held its inaugural worship service on November 4, 1974 under the leadership and Pastorate of Elder Wardell Avant, Sr. (later called Founding Bishop Avant). The congregants were largely family members and a few friends. Bishop Avant believed the family that worshipped together stayed together. One of his favorite verse of scripture was taken from Joshua 24:15; “… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” True Fellowship Holiness Church of Miami received its charter and corporation status on June 10, 1975.
Bishop Avant served as Pastor until the Lord called him home on July 20, 2000. The Lord then anointed Marvin Avant, son of the Bishop, to preach the gospel and he accepted the challenge of Pastor and Teacher of the True Fellowship flock. The Bishop’s wife continued to serve as a prayer warrior and church mother until God called her home on February 29, 2012.
To date, True Fellowship Holiness Church has added a few members and has had tremendous spiritual growth. We are striving to continue the legacy of Bishop and Mother Avant. Pastor Marvin Avant continues to preach and teach the unchangeable word of God in the same fashion as his father. Assisted by his sister, Francena McMullen, as co-pastor, the two make a powerful, spirit-filled leadership team.
