HISTORY OF THE FOUNDERS

 

        

 

     Bishop Gary McFarlin & J Carter-McFarlin                           

                                                                                              

                         Temple of Christ

                        3013 Rainbow Dr.

         Decatur, Georgia 30034

                           (404) 437-6872

Email: templeofchrist@comcast.net

              Website: www.templeofchristonline.org                       

      

                              

                                   

           

 

Gary McFarlin was united in matrimony to Jayetta Carter in January 1990.  Two of their daughters work with them in the ministry, Kendra Washington and their youngest daughter, Garita McFarlin.

 

Jayetta is the youngest daughter of Bishop Marshall Carter, founder of the Lynwood Park Church and the United Churches of God in Christ.   Gary McFarlin had faithfully served in other churches in leadership positions, before marrying Jayetta. After their marriage, he then served in Lynwood Park United Church of God in Christ as a minister, president and director of the Male Chorus, playwright, church consultant, member of the board of directors, and President of the Jurisdictional Elder’s Council of the Georgia Northeast Jurisdiction, National Finance Secretary and Assistant National Secretary of the United Churches of God in Christ.

 

            Following the death of Bishop Marshall Carter, the two remaining members of the original founding family (Jayetta and her sister) left and established other churches.  Subsequently, Gary McFarlin and his wife, Jayetta Carter-McFarlin established Carter-McFarlin Ministries, Inc.  The trials and tribulations that the remaining founding family members have endured have given them the peace and assurance of God, and the knowledge that only God has the true power to establish churches.  “Once again we find ourselves in a unique position to be vessels used by God to establish a church work in other locations”.

 

            Carter-McFarlin Ministries, Inc was formed November 17, 2003 as a religious television broadcasting ministry.  In October 2004, Pastor and 1st Lady McFarlin conducted a meeting in their home with members who said they would commit to the church under their leadership, and the church, named Carter Temple was formed.  Carter Temple was formed as a division of Carter-McFarlin Ministries, Inc.  The first church service was held in their home on Sunday, November 7, 2004.  Pastor and 1st Lady McFarlin rented a commercial property on Columbia Woods Dr in Decatur, Georgia.  On the November 14, 2004 the first official church service was held at the church location on Columbia Woods Dr.  As with most new churches, the commitment of some of the new members did not last, leaving most of the expense of the rental and upkeep of the commercial property on the founders.

 

            But thanks to our sovereign God, others began to join the Temple of Christ, (formerly known as Carter Temple) to help in the ministry of God.  During the first two years many trials and tribulations have happened that would normally cause founders to give up, but the church is still an active organization meeting every Sunday for worship and the outreach evangelistic ministry is televised weekly on AIBTV.    

 

 January 1, 2007, Pastor & 1st Lady McFarlin brought Temple of Christ at Hillside into fellowship with United Pure Life Ministries.  On January 28, 2007, Pastor McFarlin was consecrated to the bishopric.   The founders, Bishop & Lady McFarlin believe they are truly fulfilling the purpose that God has for them.   “Just like Jeremiah said it, It’s like fire shut-up in our bones to spread the Gospel of Christ to all those that are willing to hear us”.