Who we are




Discover

The History Of The Church


In the beginning…”

1990-1993

In 1990 Clause and wife Doris Payton was called into the ministry of God, to preach, teach and to spread the Word of God by hosting a Friday night Bible Study in their home. He did the service of an evangelist from 1992 through 1993.

1994

In 1994, Evangelist Payton with his wife Doris organized the Word of Life Ministries Houston, Inc. (Church) and became Pastor Clause & First Lady Doris Payton. Word of Life Ministries is currently in its twentieth (20+) year of service.

Word of Life Ministries begin regular church services at the Harbach Ripley Neighborhood Center, 6525 Northdale Houston, Texas 77087 on February 27, 1994 where we had Wednesday night Bible Study and Sunday Worship Services, we were housed there for eight (8) years.

1995

Word of Life purchased approximately 1 ½ acres of land at Chickadee and Airport Boulevard in the Southeast area of Houston, after realizing that it could not fulfill the vision of the ministry it was sold.

1996

During our stay at the Harbach Ripley Neighborhood Center … with a vision for continuous growth faithful members of Word of Life Ministries purchased approximately seven (7) acres of property in Southeast Houston on Martin Luther King Blvd in November 1996. We had many challenges to hinder the building project from going forth so the project was put on hold but not forgotten … Pastor Payton kept the vision of moving to 12770 Martin Luther King alive even thought some had lost hope … he reminded the people we serve a faithful God and everything will be done in God’s timing not ours.

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

PROVERBS 19:21

2006

The church sold property at 6520 Fairlawn, Houston, Texas 77087 in June 2006; we moved to 8330 Gulf Freeway, Houston, Texas 77017 in August 2006; preparation for our new building project on 12770 Martin Luther King Blvd., Houston, 77048.

2008

God gave Pastor Payton the theme for 2008: “The year of manifestation and God’s glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

So today on November 30, 2008 Word of Life Ministries Houston Church Family is breaking ground for their new sanctuary at 12770 Martin Luther King Blvd. Houston, Texas 77048.

Everyone present was allowed to participate in the “Ground breaking ceremony” by scoping and turning some soil. During the “Laying of the Foundation” the Church History was read by First Lady Doris Payton, the Statement of Faith by Elder Edward Berry, and Church Covenant by Minister Daniel Maree, Mission and Vision Statement by Elder Willard Johnson. Pastor Payton then placed the Bible he used when the ministry was first started in a 2 ft. by 2ft. hole dug in the ground, followed by the Church History, Statement of Faith, the Church Covenant, Mission and Vision Statement all contained in plastic covers where the pulpit area will be in the first building. This signifies that this ministry is built on a solid foundation which is the Holy Word of God. Pastor Payton then sealed the laying of the foundation with a prayer. Attending Pastors were Pastor Braque and Linda Wilson – Good Shepherd Church, Houston, Pastor Michael and Angela Forney – Lifestyle of Christ Church, Pearland, Texas. To God Be the Glory!

2009

The vision of moving into our new home was realized on September, 2009. Dedication Service was held on October, 2009. God has truly shown Himself mighty with the Word of Life Church Family.





Covenant

Word of Life Ministries Houston

 

The covenant by which this church exists as a distinct body, and which every member accepts is as follows:

We believe that the Bible is the Holy Word of God, having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, faith, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spiritually; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and to spread the Gospel throughout all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in dealings, faithful in engagements, and exemplary in our deportment to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from sale of, and the use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of Our Savior.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready to reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We, moreover, engage that when we remove from this place we will assume the Spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.






Leadership

Meet Our Church Staff Members


Clause Payton

Founding Pastor & Visionary

Doris Payton

Co-Pastor & Administrator

Shelia D. Green

Prison Ministry, Senior Care Ministry

Beverly Gray

The Arts Ministry

Laura Berry

Hospitality Ministry

Sonya McNeal

The Usher’s Ministry

Susan Richardson

Chief Financial Officer

Lynnetta Maree

Servant-Support Ministry, Hospital Care Ministry

Daniel Maree

Elijah Men’s Ministry, Advisory Board

Anthony McNeal

Parking Lot Ministry

Anthony Washington

Advisory Board

John Jack

Parking Lot Ministry Leader

Benjamin Green

New Member Orientation

Barbara Dick

Internal Auditor

Jan Washington

Greeter’s Ministry