TGM Special Edition Print Version

A Look Back On 30
Years of Ministry (part 1)
With Bishop Phillip E. Owens, D.D. and Elect Lady Patricia A. Owens, D.D
Co-founders and visionaries, Bishop Phillip E. Owens and Elect Lady Patricia A. Owens give God all the praise as
they glance into their past as the leadership of Immanuel’s Temple Systems of Church. They discuss their exciting
30th church anniversary in addition to family, marriage, the state of the church, and more in this exciting two-part
interview series. Let’s tune in!
30 years of ministry - what does that mean for you both as Leaders?
EL: God bless you all and to the saints and to the TV audience! I would say, what 30 years means to me is 30
years of endeavoring to do the will of God. It has been our utmost desire to hear from God, walk out
the plan of God, and do it to edify the body of Christ as well as being pleasing in the sight of God.
B: I agree. Thirty years of ministry is 30 years of the test of being obedient and faithful. It is not the
accomplishment of building buildings; it is the accomplishment of obeying God. Whether it is to
build a building, whether it is to be on a television program, whether it is to teach or to preach or
to set up prayer meetings, or whether it is to baptize. It simply is to obey God and to be faithful.
What is the significance of this anniversary, especially in the current climate and
state of the church universal?
EL: Sometimes we say it is time for a change and then there are other times where a change is necessary. It
is a needed change. The fact that Jesus - at the age of 30 - His whole ministry and purpose began to be
established. When it came to Joseph - at the age of 30 - His whole purpose began to be established. So I
think out of all the work that we have done, a need for a change is inevitable now. I think these 30 years is
going to represent what we are fully called to do and the change that is definitely needed for this time.
B: I think 30 years is like a deposit on the fact that Jesus said, “...and upon this rock I will build my
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mat 16:18). As we stated before, that God
graced us to be faithful and obedient on one hand, but the second hand it is a testimony in this season
to have lasted 30 years that Satan could not prevail against us (and certainly he has tried hard).
How did you feel as a young family when you opened Immanuel’s Temple Community
Church for the very first service on June 5, 1988?
EL: Excited and fearful at the same time (chuckle). Excited for what God was going to do, but
fearful to step into something that we have never done before, and yet trusting God.
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