God showered Mother Cassie Coe Esselman – Wagner with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost in the year of 1906. God charged Mother Wagner to go and evangelize throughout
the nation and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mother was small in stature but mighty in the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Many were saved and blessed by her ministry. Mother Wagner with the leadership of God started churches in
Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and Michigan. Mother Wagner led the infant church which had not been formally named, from 1908 to the year of 1927. It was unofficially known as the, “Power House”. Elder Jethro Herman Burrus, Mother Wagner’s son-in-law became the Pastor in 1927 after Mother Wagner impress upon the saints that the scripture said, “a woman should not usurp authority over a man”. The church came together and officially selected a name for this budding ministry from Hebrews 12th chapter verse 23, “To the general assembly and Church of the First Born which are written in heaven, and to the spirit of just men made perfect,” and became officially incorporated with the State of Indiana. Under the leadership of Elder J.H. Burrus our first church was built located at 2700 James Court. Later in 1950 our second church was erected and it was located at 2742 N. Oxford. After many accomplishments and serving the congregation for 32 years, Elder Jethro Herman Burrus resigned in 1959. Later the following year of 1960, Elder Willie T. Barksdale, who formally served as Elder Burrus’ Assistant Pastor, was chosen and ordained by God and the Church of the First Born Saints to become its new Pastor. Bishop Barksdale’s love for the gospel and for the ministry had already been displayed under the leadership of Elder Burrus when he founded The Church of the First Born Saints II in Tompkinsville, KY in 1956. Unfortunately, Bishop Barksdale’s tenure was abruptly interrupted in 1969 when he succumbed to a fatal heart attack. After many days had passed and the church went through a period of mourning the loss of its shepherd however; God had a ram tied in the thickets. Through much prayer and supplication The Church of the First Born Saints voted and elected Minister Preston E. Daniels III to become the Presiding Bishop and Pastor of The Churches of the First Born Saints. On May 17, 1970, Bishop Preston E. Daniels III and Mother Martha Helen Daniels were formally installed as Pastor and First Lady. Bishop, who had served 21 years as the General Administrator under both Elder J.H. Burrus and Bishop W. Barksdale, began his ministry with an anointed powerful gift of teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and converting the souls of both men and women alike to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Bishop, the father of a generation, left this earthly house on December 10, 2005 to be with the lord and rest from 35 years of serving the church and the community with great diligence and faithfulness. He will always be remembered for his great affection and love toward the saints. On December 28, 2005, Elder Jeffrey S. Foreman was unanimously elected as Pastor to the Church of the First Born Saints.
