History of Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ 2011
In 1969, Pastor Willie Murray was determined to spread the Good News Gospel and teach the Word of God. As a member of Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, 347 Cortland Avenue, Syracuse, New York he was mentored under the late Bishop Robert Jones Ministry;. Traveling back and forth from the city to city on a weekly basis Pastor impleme
nted bible classes at several locations in the City of Auburn, New York. In 1970, bible study classes began under the guidance and instruction of Pastor Murray on Rock Avenue. The Bible classes continued to evolve and Pastor Murray relocated classes to the home of church members. The first church service and offering was received at the Flowers and Sister Lillie Mae Marino’s home. Prior to the first church service the Marino, Overstreet, McClain, Jackson, and David families were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. God blessed the members with relocation to hold church services at St. Mary’s Hall located at Water Street in the City of Auburn. Shortly after, the Flowers and the Albert families were baptized. Within a year and half nearly 300 individuals were also baptized. In the late summer of 1971, Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ relocated to the First Methodist Church on the corner of South Street and Fitch Street. In October 1971, Pastor Murray and his wife Carolyn Murray purchased a home utilizing this space for the church located on 83 Fitch Avenue. During the period of 1972 through 1976 several more families became members and joined the Body of Christ. In September 1974, the Murray family officially relocated from Syracuse to Auburn making their home directly next to the church. During the 1980’s Pastor Murray baptized many souls in Montezuma, Geneva, Skaneateles, Port Byron, Weedsport, Elbridge, Cayuga, Waterloo, Penn Yann and Wolcott, New York. In 1987, Pastor Murray and his wife purchased a new home on Franklin Street; their home on Fitch Avenue became the church. By 1990, Pastor Murray baptized many people from other counties such as, Cortland and Homer, New York. The 1990’s continued to be a prosperous period for Pastor Murray and the Saints. Several people living in the Central New York in the areas of Lyons, Clyde, Sodus, and even as far as Rochester accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is important to note, Pastor Murray is the original pastor to hold tent meetings in the Central New York Area. He held meetings in various cities in the State of New York, respectively in areas such as, Auburn, Geneva, Syracuse, Ithaca, Buffalo, and many other places. In 1997, Pastor Murray was elevated as one the District Elders in the Central New York area. His hard work ethic and spiritual leadership led to the Great Commission being witnessed by others as the goal was accomplished to spread Good News Gospel towards advocating for the saving of souls. When the New Millennium arrived Elder Murray was elevated once again as Suffragan Bishop. On July 3, 2009, the former Elder Murray was given the honorary title, Suffragan
History of Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ 2011
Bishop Murray, a title that refers to the spiritual advisor and overseer of a region of churches. As the humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, Suffragan Bishop Murray established The Prison Ministry for the incarcerated at the Auburn Correctional Facility where approximately 40 inmates were received with baptism. To this day, he continues to be an advisor and a spiritual guide to the inmates. As a leader in the community, he has a history serving as a spiritual mentor to several youth and adults. He teaches youth and often their parents the unconditional way to live as Christians. Furthermore, he is an educational advocate for his entire congregation balancing between his service and his voluntary duty as the spiritual proctor. The outcome of these valuable lessons enables individuals under his guidance and support to master and learn how to create opportunities for themselves by way of faith in Jesus Christ. All of those interested in living their lives with Jesus First are now healthy and positive community members; High School and College Graduates, Happily Married Families, Gospel Recording Artists, and the successful Pastors, Reverends, Evangelists, Missionaries, Deacons (ess), Clergy and Saints. Finally, Suffragan Bishop Murray and his wife Carolyn Murray are blessed in their marriage of 48 years. They have five adult children, twenty-two grandchildren and twelve great- grandchildren. The Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ continues to be blessed as a pillar in the community under the leadership and guidance of Suffragan Bishop and First Lady Murray our humble servants for the Lord Jesus Christ. Recently, September Twenty-fourth, and every anniversary date thereafter is officially Bishop W. Murray Day in Cayuga County, an honor bestowed upon him by the Cayuga County Legislature. “A job well done”, is a fitting, description of the faith exemplified by both Suffragan and First Lady Murray. Author & Editor, Lisa Ruth Eleanor Davis, Journey Imagery Public Relations (2009)
Re-edited by Evangelist Caroline Greene
