When Dr. Doggette first received the vision for Madison Mission, God specifically directed him to start a ministry that would not "follow the beaten path." From the very inception, this was destined to be a ministry of reclaiming and empowerment; a ministry where souls were snatched from the mouth of hell and provided with opportunities to maximize their spiritual potentials; a ministry where peop
le wouldn't be satisfied with merely coming to church, but would actively participate with the Spirit as they attempt to be the church. After much planning, the first service was held at the Asbury United Methodist Church on a Sabbath morning in May 1995. The service was Holy Ghost filled and electrifying, and the standing room only attendance exceeded everybody's expectations. The vision suffered a temporary setback when the South Central Conference informed Dr. Doggette that Sabbath services had to cease until the church had conducted formal evangelistic efforts and had baptized new people. After receiving official sponsorship from Elder Benjamin Jones and the First Seventh-day Adventist Church, Madison Mission resumed services in January, 1996. However, the church still had to conform to the evangelistic demands of the Conference. Rising to the challenge, the pastoral staff and eager supporters organized a prophecy seminar at the Holiday Inn in Madison. This was followed by a tent meeting, after which approximately seventy souls made their commitment to God. The vision was not to be extinguished. Without a regular place of worship, the early Madison Mission took on the characteristics of a nomad church as the congregation met at different venues from week to week. At least twenty different locations were utilized, including Mount Sano State Park and several school auditoria. As the church shifted to different locations each week, a building committee worked hard in the background and in 1998 secured 17 acres of prime property in Madison, Alabama. While preparation and construction took place, the church was blessed to have a temporary home at the Pentecostal Lighthouse Church of God in Christ in Huntsville. On Wednesday, February 23, 2000, the Madison Mission Family Life Center was officially opened, and the jubilant members moved into the magnificent 14,000 square feet facility. The five-day opening exercises set the tone for the future as thousands of attendees celebrated with worship, drama, concerts, sports, and community activities. Each week, up to two-thousand worshipers gather to present offerings and sing praises to the Almighty God. Joining the weekly worshipers are the tens of thousands of viewers who tune in to the weekly The Mission is Possible telecast, and the faithful Internet congregation who tune in to the live services each week from as far away as Europe and China. Although Madison Mission has a place to call home, the vision continues. We are currently in the second phase of our building program as we construct a building for youth ministry and education. Upon completion of the second phase, plans are already underway to construct a 4,500 seat worship facility and a food and fellowship court. We are blessed to have the visionary leadership of Dr. James Doggette who has dared to follow God's call to depart from "the beaten path" and raise up a congregation for such a time as this. We are also blessed with a host of committed members who believe in the gospel of the kingdom and have dedicated their lives to service. Today, we rejoice as a community of redeemed people who have been given an opportunity to utilize our gifts in the service of God. We rejoice as a community of faithful soldiers who have seen God do so much with so little. We rejoice as a community of wounded healers who are determined to demonstrate and distribute the love with which we have been loved. We rejoice as a community of saints who are blessed because the Spirit of the LORD is here.
