Our Beliefs
The Scriptures
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as the Holy Spirit moved them. We accept the New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21).
The Godhead Our God is one, but manifested in three persons — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal (Philippians 2:6). God the Father is greater than all; the sender of the Word (Logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28, John 16:28, John 1:14). The Son is the Word made flesh, the One begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1, John 1:18, John 1:14). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26).
The Fall of Man and Redemption Man, made in the likeness and image of God, is a created being. Through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil and to give His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore mankind to God (1 John 3:8).
Salvation The Bible teaches that salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:8).
Water Baptism Baptism, by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. This ordinance is a symbol of the Christian's identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39).
Communion Instituted by Jesus prior to His going to the cross. It represents the covenant we have with God through the sacrifice of Jesus. It's are symbolic of His Body (bread) and His Blood (wine). Communion is to be taken only by believers. It is a meal of Covenant. 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 Sanctification The Bible teaches that without holiness, no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace. Sanctification begins at the time of regeneration and continues until the consummation of salvation at Christ's return. Hebrews 12:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Holiness Holiness is the continuous process in which we are becoming transformed into the character of Christ. John 17:17.
Tithing Tithes - The first ten percent (10%) of any increase in your life. (gross, gifts, investment, etc). Malachi 3:8-11, Psalm 24:1, Haggai 2:8, 1 Chronicles 29:14.
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost The Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God, as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ, to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matthew 3:11, John 14:16, Acts 2:38-39, 19:1-7, 2:4).
Divine Healing Mark 16:18, James 5:14-25, 1 Peter 2:24, Matthew 8:17, Isaiah 53:4-5 Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the body of Christ today. Resurrection of the Just and the Return of Jesus The angels said to Jesus' disciples: This same Jesus...shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven (Acts 1:11).
We believe in the personal return of Jesus and the bodily resurrection of the just. One who physically dies and has accepted Jesus as their personal Savior will be resurrected to eternal life. Hell and Eternal Retribution The one who physically dies, without accepting Jesus as their Savior, will be hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire, with no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting. The lake of fire is literal. The terms "eternal" and "everlasting," used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the Lake of Fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the presence of God (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 19:20). We believe that one who physically dies without accepting Jesus as their Savior will be resurrected to eternal damnation. The Operation of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit The gifts of the Holy Spirit operate under the direction of the Holy Spirit and are done decently and in order, especially during worship service. 1 Corinthians 12:1–14:31
Our History
On June 3, 1993, thirteen called-out believers were required by God to make a major shift in their lives. This shift would not only impact the lives of their friends and family, but also the lives of all who knew them.
These thirteen were chosen to lead others out of bondage by going against worldly opposition, religious tradition, vain philosophies, ungodly concepts, and false doctrine, through obedience to God's Word.
After much prayer and discussion, the Holy Spirit directed them to form a church and to ask Minister Ann Hardman to become their pastor.
On Sunday, June 13, 1993, this group, then known as Faith Tabernacle Full Gospel Outreach Church, traveled to Buford, Ga., to Faith Free Full Gospel Church, where Bishop Richard Sampson ordained and installed Pastor Ann Hardman and the church.
Upon their return to Columbus, the first service held in Pastor Hardman's home, attracted 50 people. After several services with this type of attendance, the group found a larger place to accommodate the people.
On June 27, 1993, they found the A. J. McClung YMCA. Faith Tabernacle began holding fellowship there on Sundays, while still holding bible study in the pastor's home, until they outgrew the YMCA. On October 17, 1993, God led them to a building, previously known as the old St. John AME Church, located at 1516 Fifth Avenue in Columbus.
The ministry refurbished the building to 99 percent completion. Then on April 1, 1998, fire gutted the building and Faith Tabernacle was forced to find a new home. After conducting services under a tent, then at Shaw High School with bible studies at People's Funeral Service of Columbus, Inc., the church found an old warehouse on Brickyard Road in Phenix City. Services continued there until the church purchased the old Phenix Cinema on the 280 Bypass in October 1998.
After having grown to holding two worship services per Sunday at the new location, Pastor Hardman sought God on how to house the abundance of members. Led of the Lord, she used what was in her possession, and transitioned to the former Woodland Christian Academy in Ladonia, Alabama. On New Year's Eve night, December 31, 2001, the church held its first service at its new location 1 Layfield Drive, under its new name Faith Worship Center International.
With an ever-growing vision, Bishop Hardman expanded her vision to impacting the community by phasing into a state of the art Impact Center in Columbus, Georgia. The church went before the zoning board and the city counsel in efforts to rezone an industrial building to be used as a church and community outreach center. Silencing all opposition, the church was granted the right to do so. On April 8th, 2007, Faith Worship Center opened the doors to the Impact Center for its first worship service in the facility where weekly services and outreach are held to this day.
On January 1, 2018, history was made again when Dr. Ann Hardman passed the torch of leadership to her son, Pastor Michael Grant, Jr. to become the second senior pastor in our church history. Our church family is excited to move forward with the vision under his leadership.