Church History
Soul Deliverance Tabernacle Church of the Apostolic Faith was founded in 1979 by the late Honorable Bishop Lucian D. Booker Sr. and Mother Mary Booker on Pine Street. To bring God's vision to light, the Pastor and First Lady agreed to sacrifice and sell their brand new home for the work of the ministry.
As the membership increased, the church worked throughout the city in all directions, carrying the Gospel message through passing out tracks and having street meetings. The services consisted of music, choirs, singers, testimonies, and preaching. The church often had all night prayer and fasted regularly 3-5 days and nights each week. The Bible states that God calls the young because they are strong, and the church was full of young singles; most joined the church around the age of twenty.
Within
a five-year span, the number of God's Grace, souls were continually
being added to the church. It was needful to move to 426 Ash Street on
the west-end of town. After the purchase of that building, male and
female worked side by side in the remodeling. The building had a foyer
entrance, and the sanctuary, with wooden pews, hard floors, and windows
covered with colorful stick-on paper, seated about 150 people. There was
one bathroom (with one toilet) for the men and one bathroom (with one
toilet) for the women.
During the twelfth year, the Lord brought the vision to full focus as he gave the late Honorable Bishop Booker directions to purchase another building through a bond issue. After the purchase of the new 300 seat building, during the spring of 1989, the church became The Greater Soul Deliverance Tabernacle Church.
During
the church's time in this building, the building has seen many
modifications. Once in the chapel of the church, the baptismal pool was
brought into the sanctuary and eventually a new pool was installed
behind the choir stand. The sound system was upgraded and eventually, a
permanent solution was installed. The stage was modified and now sports
a more open look. It was also at the present location that the Road to
Deliverance ministry was started. This ministry helps addicts and
alcoholics, as well as people with bad habits, kick the habit, and
become stronger in the Lord.
In a move to better structure the church in 2006, the chapel was turned into a bank of offices for the Pastor, the Assistant Pastor, and the Finance Team. The former office for the Pastor was made into the main office and the former office for the Finance Team was made into Mother Booker's office. The upper level of the kitchen and dining area became a larger kitchen, store, and board room. Our transportation ministry also saw a huge boost with the acquisition of a school bus and a coach bus.
The changes was enough for the church leadership to consider and put into effect a name change. Thus, Greater Soul Deliverance Tabernacle Church became The New Greater Soul Deliverance Tabernacle Ministries. A new board was formed and the new church became incorporated on July 2, 2007.
More importantly, the gospel of Jesus Christ was delivered effectively, and souls were saved. More than ever before, the church is positioned to reach and teach souls about the gospel of Jesus Christ, to let the world know that there is a better way in Christ Jesus!
In
2008, the church met with a bittersweet moment with the passing of the
founder, Bishop Booker. While many mourned the loss, as believers, many
rejoiced because they knew that Bishop was now in a better place. His
work in the vineyard, his clean lifestyle rooted in holiness, and his
biblically based preach words and teachings has assured him a place in
heaven. And just as God prophesied, the pastoral duties passed to his
son, Elder Lucian D. Booker, Jr.
One of the final plans that the Late Bishop Booker thought up along with Elder Lucian D. Booker Jr. was changing the name of the church. The name that God had given to both of them was "New Day". With the passing of his father, it was very difficult for Elder Booker to follow through because of all of the wonderful works that God did through the church as the Soul Deliverance Tabernacle. It would take a few years, but the name change would finally come to past.
As of January 1, 2011, the name of the church was officially changed to New Day Community Church.
This church has been proven by God to be a place where the Spirit of the Lord is, where God speaks to His people, and where His people are free to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Until the time of the rapture, this church will continue in the path that God has assigned to it, to be a safe haven where people can come and hear the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, uncut and unadulterated.
God Bless.