On Thursday night, June 7, 2007, at the close of the 119th Session of the Western North Carolina Annual Conference (WNCC) of the Second Episcopal District (SED) of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC), convening at the Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina, Rev. Howard, Jr., was left without a pastoral appointment to start the 2007-2008 Secon
d Episcopal District AME Church conference year. While driving back to Charlotte, NC from Durham, NC, the Howard family - Dr. Walter V. Howard and Michael E. Howard - stopped to eat at a restaurant on I-40W just outside Durham, NC. While at the restaurant, a prayer was offered by Rev. Howard, asking the Lord to lead the family as they were still committed to following Him and doing that for which He had called them to do. After the prayer, the question was raised, "What do we do about worshipping on Sunday?" Some discussion followed and Rev. Dr. Howard said to the family that they should be prepared to come together in praise, worship and fellowship on Sunday as they had always done. Since Rev. Howard had no pulpit from which to pastor, it was suggested that consideration be given to securing a place for the family to fellowship and worship together. Everyone present enthusiastically agreed with that suggestion. On Friday afternoon, June 8, 2007, after researching the situation, Minister Sharrrell N. Howard called Rev. Dr. Walter Howard to say that she had found a place and it was available for his consideration. On Saturday morning, June 9, 2007, Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Walter V. Howard, Jr., and Rev. and Mrs. Howard, visited the facility (Creative Ej) in Charlotte, NC. It was a very accommodating, technologically advanced, state of the art, production studio, with stadium seating. It was perfect for a Sunday morning worship service. They agreed that the site would be sufficient for their needs. The site was secured for Sunday, June 10, 2007 and worship services were held at 11:00 am. A fellowship was formed. Those present at that first worship service were Rev. Howard, Jr., Sis. Howard, Rev. Howard, Minister Sharrell L. Howard, Bro. William E. Michael E. David Garnett Phoso, Sis. Jane K. Phoso, Sis. Alona E. Kennedy, Bro. Raukwon J. Baker, Sis. Tangella M. Stephens, and Sis. Pamela D. Stephens. The first organizational meeting of the fellowship was held at the home of Rev. Howard, Jr., at 100 Long Creek Parkway, Charlotte, NC, on June 11, 2007. The fellowship elected its first officers. Rev. Howard, Jr., President; Deacon Steven L. Howard, Vice-President; Marion C. Howard, Financial Secretary/Treasurer; Minister Sharrell N. Howard, Secretary; William E. Howard, Chaplain, and Michael E. Howard, Parliamentarian. The Howard International Fellowship was formed. The Fellowship filed for incorporation with the state of North Carolina, county of Mecklenburg, as a non-denominational, non-profit, 501c (3) ministry. On September 4, 2007, the name - Destiny Church - was incorporated under the auspices of Howard International Fellowship, Inc., with the following charter members:
Rev. Howard, Jr. Steven Lamont Howard
Minister Sharrell Louise Norman Howard
Marion Denese Cotton Howard
William Emery Howard
Michael Edward Howard
Jane Cotton Kennedy Phoso
David Garnett Phoso
Alona Elaine Kennedy
Raukwon Julius Baker
Anthony Phillips
Tangella Moore Stephens
Pamela Denise Stephens
Robert Bland
*Timothy Jones
Joel Harper
