In the late seventies, five families came together for the desire to see the emergence of a spirit-filled charismatic church in the mid-Ohio valley. Three of these original families continue to serve as leaders here at Freedom Gate Church. What follows is a brief history.
The articles of incorporation were filed March 6, 1982 for the Christian Center. Richard Jolliff was the pastor at that time. The church was located at 824 Front Street in Marietta, OH. During Pastor Jolliff's tenure, the Christian Center moved from Front Street to the present Tennis Center Drive location.
After Richard Jolliff's successful ministry, he resigned in January of 1992 to lead Amazing Grace Church in Michigan. The Christian Center was served a short time by Pastor Kevin Sylvester.
On November 1st of 1992, Pastor Stan Wells was officially installed as the pastor. Pastor Stan came from Church of the King, a church that he planted in Parkersburg, WV. The two churches were joined together to form Valley Harvest Church. Pastor Stan was one of the original five families before relocating to Dallas for ministry training. During his time there, he became relationally connected to Church of the King in Dallas, TX. The newly formed Valley Harvest Church came under the apostolic covering of the Federation of Ministers and Churches International with Apostle Jim Hodges being the designated leader.
In November of 2001, Pastor Stan Wells stepped down as the senior pastor and Pastor Rodney Lord was installed in that position by Apostle Hodges. Pastor Rodney had been serving on staff as an associate since July of 1997. He and Pastor Stan had served together in Dallas with Apostle Jim Hodges in the 80's. Valley Harvest Church has three generations of leaders serving together: Rodney Lord as Sr. Leader, with Associate Pastor Stan Wells and Nathan Lord overseeing growth development areas.
In 2013 Valley Harvest Church changed its name to Freedom Gate Church. This change reflected a new season for the church. Click here to read about that change.
The articles of incorporation were filed March 6, 1982 for the Christian Center. Richard Jolliff was the pastor at that time. The church was located at 824 Front Street in Marietta, OH. During Pastor Jolliff's tenure, the Christian Center moved from Front Street to the present Tennis Center Drive location.
After Richard Jolliff's successful ministry, he resigned in January of 1992 to lead Amazing Grace Church in Michigan. The Christian Center was served a short time by Pastor Kevin Sylvester.
On November 1st of 1992, Pastor Stan Wells was officially installed as the pastor. Pastor Stan came from Church of the King, a church that he planted in Parkersburg, WV. The two churches were joined together to form Valley Harvest Church. Pastor Stan was one of the original five families before relocating to Dallas for ministry training. During his time there, he became relationally connected to Church of the King in Dallas, TX. The newly formed Valley Harvest Church came under the apostolic covering of the Federation of Ministers and Churches International with Apostle Jim Hodges being the designated leader.
In November of 2001, Pastor Stan Wells stepped down as the senior pastor and Pastor Rodney Lord was installed in that position by Apostle Hodges. Pastor Rodney had been serving on staff as an associate since July of 1997. He and Pastor Stan had served together in Dallas with Apostle Jim Hodges in the 80's. Valley Harvest Church has three generations of leaders serving together: Rodney Lord as Sr. Leader, with Associate Pastor Stan Wells and Nathan Lord overseeing growth development areas.
In 2013 Valley Harvest Church changed its name to Freedom Gate Church. This change reflected a new season for the church. Click here to read about that change.