Our church began from a bible study group that was formed by Pastor Holmes in March of 1976. These bible study classes were held at Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ, 134 Oak St., Chester, South Carolina, with the permission and blessing of the pastor. At that time, Pastor Holmes was still a part of the Deliverance Evangelistic Center Inc. (headquartered at 621 Clinton Ave., Newark N
J.) under the leadership of Rev. In August of 1977, the Deliverance Evangelistic Center Inc. held a "southland regional convention" at the Township Auditorium in Columbia, SC. At the close of this convention God led Pastor Holmes to begin a new independent work (which would later be called Full Gospel Miracle Tabernacle). While preparing to start this work, Pastor Holmes continued to have bible study as well as Sunday night services at Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ in Chester, SC. In addition, Pastor Holmes traveled locally between Chester and Rock Hill, SC, and Charlotte and Gastonia, NC conducting healing services. In January of 1978, Pastor Holmes conducted a 3 night divine healing crusade at the White's Chapel Church of God in Gastonia, NC. This "3 night meeting" lasted approximately 5 months. Through these services many were saved and healed. Tremendous miracles of healing took place. While the meeting was going on in the month of April, Full Gospel Miracle Tabernacle was officially registered with the Secretary of State of South Carolina and the "independent work" had begun. Sometime during the month of May, the healing services at Whites Chapel Church of God came to a close. However, the Lord led Pastor Holmes to open a church in Gastonia, NC. We leased a building which was formally a nightclub, and converted it into a place of worship. Finally, on Sunday, September 15, 1978, we had our first service. We also continued having our Sunday night services in Chester SC, which continued through December 1978. In 1980, we purchased a tent and began conducting tent services. In 1983, Pastor Holmes took the tent to Beaufort, SC for 8 days in the month of May. In February of 1984 we opened a church. This was the beginning of the establishment of the church in Beaufort, SC which opened the first Sunday of March 1984 at the Battery Creek High School. In 1988, we conducted a fellowship conference (our annual campmeeting) at the Unity Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. At that time, God began dealing with Pastor Holmes concerning our ministry relocating from Gastonia, NC (our headquarters church) to Columbia, SC. In October of the same year, the Lord directed Pastor Holmes to change the name of our church from Full Gospel Miracle Tabernacle. As of January 1989, our church name became Full Gospel Word & Worship Center. Pastor Holmes continued to pray and seek God about the timing of our move from Gastonia, NC to Columbia, SC. In March of 1991, the Lord spoke to Pastor Holmes saying, "In the fall of next year move." On October 25, 1992, we had our first service at our new and present location, 6015 N. Main St., Columbia, SC. In 1995, we purchased property in Beaufort, SC, located at 21 Bruce K. Smalls Dr. (Grays Hill). On September 30, we dedicated this facility and had our initial service. Presently, this is still the home of our Beaufort branch of Full Gospel Word & Worship Center. We are one church in two locations.
