Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ, Inc.
About Us
About Us
Bishop Dr. Bettye J. Ervin, Presiding Prelate
Bishop Ervin is the founder and presiding Prelate of Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ, Inc. The mother church is located in Bolton, Mississippi with sister churches in Middletown, Connecticut and Cantonment, Florida. It is by divine appointment that this ministry is in existence and governed by Spirit of the Living God. Emmanuel, God is With Us, and we are not on our own to establish and build but move by the Holy Ghost.
She is the wife of one husband, Pastor Billy J. Ervin for forty-six years and they reside in Bolton, Mississippi. They are the proud parents of three daughters, nine grandchildren and three great granddaughters.
Bishop Ervin served as Assistant Pastor of Wayside Crusaders Church in Utica, Mississippi under the leadership of the late Apostle Kathryn Williams for seven years prior to establishing Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ, Inc. She has ordained and installed pastors and other ministerial staff in the sister churches to feed the flock of God under her leadership and tutelage with Christ as the sovereign head of the body.
Bishop Ervin has traveled to Africa, Jamaica, Israel, England, Egypt and throughout the United States laying hands on the sick, evangelizing, preaching, teaching the word of God and prophesying under the anointing of the Holy Ghost. In September of 2008 Brevard Christian University bestowed upon her an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity.
Bishop Ervin’s teaching ministry is rooted in the Holy Scriptures and empowered through the Holy Ghost. “For I will give you a MOUTH and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.” Luke 21:15. She is compassionate in mentoring and counseling those in need effectively touching hearts and changing the lives of man.
History
In early 1991 several people, hungry and thirsty for the word of God began to meet together in different homes to hear the word of God at the mouth of then Evangelist Bettye J. Ervin. On Friday May 17, 1991 in the home of Kathy Butler it was agreed that the gathering would be established as “The House of Prayer and that Evangelist Bettye Ervin would be the President and that a regular meeting place would be secured.
On Friday, May 24, 1991 at 7:30 pm The House of Prayer had secured a temporary meeting place at Wood Village Club House, 1253 Wood Village Drive in Jackson, Mississippi. Evangelist Ervin told those in attendance that “God had ordained the ministry and if we would purchase chairs He would fill them.” “We must walk by faith and not by sight” she continued. Pledges to purchase chairs were made all in attendance.
On October 4, 1991 during service at Wood Village Club House Pastor Ervin announced that the name of the ministry is Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ. God had given her the name back in 1980. While she was in prayer he brought it back to her remembrance. The ministry continued to grow and God filled the chairs as he had said.
Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ continued to meet at the Club House on Friday nights until early 1992 when a lease agreement was established for space at Thousand Oaks Drive in Jackson, Mississippi. The first service was held on March 20, 1992. We were finally able to hold Monday night prayer, Wednesday night bible class and Friday night Evangelistic services at 7pm during the week. Services on Sunday began with Sunday School at 0945 and was immediately followed by Sunday Morning service at 11am. After re-carpeting and painting, Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ held dedication services on June 26 – 28, 1992. In February 1993 the church conducted it’s first Love Feast celebration and Pastoral Appreciation Services.
The church remained at the Thousand Oaks location until the summer of 1993 when notified that the building had been sold and the new landlord required the space. Members searched diligently for a new location to hold services but our efforts yielded no results. Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ held its last service at Thousand Oaks on August 29, 1993.
When none of the local hotels could accommodate us for our next service Pastor Ervin asked her husband if services could be held at their home. Upon his consent the church began to meet regularly for service at their home located at 1992 South Norrell Road in Bolton, Mississippi. Prayer was alternately held in homes of the members on Monday nights. The work continued to grow and a building fund was established beginning with the purchase of seven acres of land in Bolton, Mississippi on Billyfield and Champion Hill roads. It was decided that we would not lease anymore but purchase outright. A sign was erected on the property which read “Future home of Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ.” Service continued in their home over the next several years. God took this opportunity to bring the members closer together in love and in fellowship.
In early 1999, the church purchased and renovated it’s current edifice located at 1752 Lyons Road in Bolton, Mississippi. At the dedication and church anniversary service in June the edifice was filled to capacity. Even the contractors and their families attended.
What We Believe
We, the members of Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ, do hereby declare our affirmation of faith:
We believe in God the Father, Creator and Ruler of all things, the source of all goodness, truth, and love;
We believe in Jesus Christ the Son, God manifest in the flesh, Redeemer and Lord, and ever-living head of the church;
We believe in the Holy Ghost, God ever-present, for guidance, comfort, and strength;
We believe in the forgiveness of sins by God's Grace, upon confession in repentance and faith;
We believe in the church as a fellowship of believers in Christ, established for the purpose of worship, ministry, and proclamation;
We believe in the kingdom of God as God's sovereign rule in the life of man, in the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God, in the final triumph of righteousness, and in the resurrection and the life ever-lasting.
Amen.
Emmanuel Sister Churches
Connecticut
Pastor Deborah West
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ church family invite you to join us for services in Middletown, Connecticut. "For all the promises of God in Him are yea and in Him amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Corinthians 1:20
Worship Services:
Monday Night Prayer - 7 pm
Wednesday Bible Study - 7 pm
Friday Service - 7 pm
Sunday School - 10 am
Sunday Morning Service 11:30 am
Sunday Evening Service 6 pm
Physical Address:
282 Main Street Ext
Middletown, CT 06457
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 492, Middletown, CT 06457
Contact Us:
Phone: (860) 704-8356
Email: EmmanuelTab2@comcast.net
Florida
Pastor Tyrone Stokes
Give God the Glory! The church family of Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ invite you to join us for services in Cantonment, Florida. "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you." I Thessalonians 3:12
Worship Services:
Monday Night Prayer - 7:30 pm
Wednesday Bible Study - 7:30 pm
Friday Service - TBD
Sunday School - 9:45 am
Sunday Morning Service 11:00 am
Physical Address:
412 Broadleaf Circle
Cantonment, FL 32533
Contact Us:
Phone: (561) 845-713
Email: Emmanueltic3@bellsouth.net
