In December of 1977 the essence of the Good Shepherd Church of God In Christ was conceived by a word of prophesy from Sis. Roslyn Daniels, in the home of Bro. and Sis. Oliver Haney. It was after Christmas dinner in 1977 when the six were praying that God impressed upon them a need to begin praying and sharing together as a group. The group consisted of Bro. David Copeland, Bro. Roosevelt Daniels a
nd Bro. The group of six met for several months from house to house, and then the Lord led them to expand to include others. Other members joined as they were inspired by God, and were blessed by the ministry of the group. In January of 1978 the expanded group began sharing the sanctuary of St. Peters Baptist Church at 900 Huff Road. For three months services were held on Sunday and Wednesday nights, reaching out to the Blantown area of Atlanta. Beginning in March of 1978, the official opening and dedication of the Good Shepherd Church Of God In Christ was held with Bishop Leroy Anderson of Buffalo, New York. Morning and evening worship continued here at 900 Huff Road until the building was no longer available to us. In September 1977, the Lord led us to 1842 Candler Road, where worship services were held until 1979. The Lord opened the doors on 118 Second Avenue, Decatur (Oakhurst Presbyterian Church) for the growing congregation to worship. While at this location, Elder David Copeland, the founding pastor, felt led of the Lord to vacate the pulpit of the church to do fulltime ministry as a chaplain in the United States Air Force. His successor was Elder Ralph E. Lewis, Sr. Elder Lewis began pastoring in the Spring of 1981. From that point he led the congregation from Second Avenue to Gay Drive (his home) to Boulevard and Whitefoord in Atlanta, Temple of Deliverance, in 1984. On July 28, 1985 God allowed Good Shepherd’s congregation, led by Elder Lewis, to march into the first building owned by the church. On November 30, 1996, New Day Ministries, International was birthed. Good Shepherd Church of God In Christ was then named Good Shepherd New Day Fellowship Church under the dynamic leadership of Bishop Ralph E. and Co-Pastor Diane E. Lewis.
