St. Ruth United Church of God, Inc.

The History of St. Ruth United Church of God, Inc.
 
In August 1971, during the United Church of God, Inc. (UCOG), General Assembly,
Bishop O.C. Crone assigned Minister Lillian Ruth Kearns and another minister to go to
West End, NC, to “work up a Church”. Both were members of St. Peter UCOG, under
the leadership of Pastor, Overseer Dan H. Hayes. Pastor Hayes encouraged them to
do the work that had been assigned.
For approximately 2 years Minister Kearns traveled in prayer and waited for God to
guide her. Minister Kearns spent much time with Missionary Ruth Lee, the matriarch
who began what is now the United Church of God-Florida. Missionary Ruth Lee stayed
in her home on occasions as the missionary conducted revivals and encouraged
Minister Kearns on her spiritual journey. In 1971, there were no female pastors in the
UCOG Southern District. Missionary Kearns had already experience some persecution
outside of the church for being a female minister. She could only imagine what would
be said if she began pastoring, but in spite of her concerns, God prepared her for her
ministry.
At the Missionary Convention in May of 1972, Overseer Robert E. Brewer preached a
message, “Holy Ghost Filled Missionaries, Sitting Down on God.” Minister Kearns
stated that she felt as if no one else was in the church. She felt God was speaking to
her. She was stirred in her heart and had to move. She was ready to experience the
birth of a new church.
In agreement with her bishop, Minister Kearns began her ministry in West End working
from house to house, praying and teaching the Bible to men and women in the
community. It was through this ministry she met Brother Eugene & Sister Doris Siler
who asked if she had found a place for her church. They offered her a little house they
owned that had been burn telling her she was welcome to use it if she could make use
of it. They did not charge any rent. They said they would just be glad she could use it
for her church.
She and her husband, the late James F. Kearns, went to see the building. When she
walked on the yard of the building, despite the size and the fire damage, Minister
Kearns heard the voice of God telling her, “This is it”. There were those who tried to
discourage her even before the work began but she was determined to obey God.
The building was open for service on October 8, 1973, as St. Peter’s First Mission,
named as such because was the first missionary to go out for St. Peter and plant
another church. Services in this little building were blessed, anointed, and filled with the
glory of the Lord! There were times a tent would be set up and chairs put out in the 7 yard for the overflow! Among the first members of St. Peter’s First Mission were Sisters
Thomasina Lambert, Betty Cole, Henrietta Jones, Jean Martin, Shirley Horton and
Brother James Horton. There were children from the community as wells as some of
Minister Kearns children.
There was a need for a larger church. With only a few members and a lot of faith in
God Minister Kearns prayed and looked for land. Land was purchase just down the
road from the mission. On July 4, 1975, a groundbreaking ceremony was conducted by
the late Overseer Robert E. Brewer. The late Pastor Ernest Dukes purchased the
first 100 blocks for the foundation.
On October 16, 1977, St. Ruth United Church of God, 126 Shepherd Road was
dedicated. Two weeks of services followed! The church is named, in part, in honor of
the pastor and founder, Lillian Ruth Kearns. On March 8, 2015, Pastor Kearns passed
the mantel to Elder Melvin C. Jones, who was installed and serves as presiding pastor.
The designation, Pastor Emeritus; was conferred upon Elder Lillian Ruth Kearns as she
continues in God’s service.