How It All Began - Words From Our Pastor
In 1999, while serving as Worship Pastor at Kingdom Church under Pastor W.E. Cain, God began dealing strongly with my heart about His call for me to pastor a church. At the time, however, I was in what I call a “Jonah mode.” My dream was to be a gospel singer, traveling the world and sharing my music. But it became clear that God had other plans.
The Lord began pouring His Word into my heart, and every concert I did slowly turned into a revival service. I found myself preaching the Word and praying for people everywhere I went. The weight of the calling kept intensifying, and it felt like I was running out of running room. During this time, I continued traveling with Pastor, and our private meetings often turned into conversations about everything God was teaching and speaking to me. It felt like a fire inside of me that I could not quench, yet I still resisted the title of Pastor.
One Sunday, right before worship, I suddenly became sick. The same thing happened the next Sunday, and then again the following week. Eventually I realized that God was calling me out. When I finally said “yes” to Him, the sickness immediately went away. Still, I delayed moving forward. I told the Lord, “If you give me the name, I’ll do it.” He did, but I still hesitated. Then I said, “Lord, if you give me the vision, I’ll do it.” Again, He did, but I still delayed.
On March 28, 2000, a large tornado struck Fort Worth and began heading toward our area. The sky grew dark and the atmosphere became eerie. When the tornado reached our street, I felt deeply convicted that God was pursuing my obedience. While my family took shelter, I humbled myself before the Lord and said, “Yes God, I will do what You want me to do.” To my amazement, the winds died down and the tornado suddenly shifted directions. Even after that moment, I delayed briefly, but when another outbreak of tornadoes approached the following week, I gave my final and complete “yes” to God.
Soon after, I began seeking God’s direction, and before long I stepped into what He had been preparing for me. In August of 2000, Promise Land Church was birthed right in my garage. The Word was rich, lives were being changed, and the Spirit of God moved powerfully in that small garage with green carpet.
Looking back, I can see that God had been calling me from a very young age. My grandmother used to say, “Carl, God is going to use you in a special way.” As children, we would even play church, and I was always the pastor. In 1996, while attending my uncle’s funeral, an older preacher approached me and said, “The glory of the Lord is on you, and He has called you to preach His Word—but it’s not time yet.”
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Then in 1997, Bishop Brown unexpectedly called me and said, “I’m going out of town and you’re going to bring the Word.” I was terrified, but as I taught God’s Word, I could feel His presence so strongly. Later that same year, a pastor friend from New York who was preaching a revival looked at me and said, “God has called you to the Word ministry, and you will pastor.” Then on Mother’s Day in 1999, while visiting my wife’s former church, a man pulled me aside after service and said, “God says He has called you to carry His Word, and you must go.” All this time, I was still serving as Worship Pastor at Kingdom Church.
When I look back now, it is clear that God had a call on my life from the beginning. I chose to follow Him and have never looked back.
In 2016, while lying in bed, I heard the Lord say that the name of the church was changing to Rehoboth, which means broad places and wide open spaces. It signifies expansion, freedom, and the blessing of the Lord, and that is exactly what He has done.
Today, we continue to stand as a flourishing people for a generation in need.