Mission Statement & Church History

On August 11, 1971, God placed on the heart of Elder Robert J. Anderson an advising encouragement to go into Buckingham addition of the City of Houston to start a church. This small mission was located on Fitch Street and was dedicated by Superintendent R. L. Norton, the late Pastor and Founder of Norton Temple Church of God in Christ. During the dedication services it was asked “What is the name of the church?” It was the full intent of Pastor Anderson to name the church Bethany Church of God in Christ. However, before he could call it Bethany, the words “Powerhouse Church of God in Christ” came out. That has been the name ever since. He also said that if we would keep the name, Powerhouse, that God would bless the church. He has!!

Pastor Anderson started this church with mostly his immediate family. Several other key members were charter members and have stayed faithful followers of Powerhouse and its leaders for all these years. The Tuesday night following the dedication, Pastor Anderson conducted a revival. From that first week on, God has added to this church.

As time went on, Pastor Anderson saw the growth of this church and began praying to seek God’s advice and guidance regarding the time and location to build God a larger and better church. This required buying land at a new location and materials to build. In order to achieve this goal, everyone worked very diligently to raise money. God blessed those efforts. The results of all the effort of supporters brought the fruition Powerhouse Church of God in Christ at the present location on Hirsch Road. No one but God could let us prosper in times like these. With the help of God, Powerhouse continues to prosper in spite of economic conditions. Pastor Anderson continued to give efficient, dedicated and consecrated leadership to the church whose membership roster has swelled to over three hundred. “We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us!”

Standing on the promises of God and keeping the name, Powerhouse, as well as doing His will, has enabled the church to grow and become one of the greatest churches in the state of Texas.

God gave Pastor Anderson the vision of expansion, yet again. As a result, he, at the leading of the Lord, began preparation to pursue building a larger and better edifice where the congregation could worship. The church has purchased approximately 14 acres of land in the Bammel-North Houston area of the city and plans to erect investment structures at that location. On October 30, 2005, the church witnessed a historic groundbreaking ceremony where plans to start the actual building are to begin in the year of 2008.

On June 11, 2007, the Powerhouse Family suffered a great loss when Pastor Anderson was summoned home by God to begin his eternal tenure. After several months of uncertainty, a new pastor to succeed Pastor Anderson was appointed by the Prelate of Texas Southeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction; Bishop Rufus Kyles, Jr. On September 28, 2007, Pastor Johnny A. Tates, former pastor of the Faith Temple COGIC-Englewood, was selected to serve as the second pastor of the Powerhouse COGIC. On Sunday morning, October 14, 2008, during the eleven o’clock work service, Pastor Tates preached his first sermon as the official pastor of this historic church.

Since Pastor Tates’ arrival, the church has continued to grow and has added to its roster over 100 new members over the past 18 months. Through hard work, commitment, and sacrifice, the church has maintained ongoing increases, not only membership but also spirituality, contributions, and auxiliaries. The Powerhouse way of worship, warmth for the Word of God, and willingness to go the extra mile to serve God is something special.

As we march into the future, we must embrace the rich blessing we have in the Spiritual foundation that was laid by our Founder, Pastor Robert J. Anderson. While we can enjoy our past, we cannot completely dwell in it. We must look ahead to the bright and sunny tomorrows that God promises those that serve without hesitation and without reservation.

As we move forward to claim our rightful positions as saints, we must stand firm in our conviction to make this world a better place by the time of our departure. As the Apostle John said, “Now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is”. There may be much that we do not understand now. But, we must “trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding. Yet…. in all our ways, we must acknowledge Him and He shall direct our paths.”

Stay strong and in place, because ‘there is no place like this place anywhere near this place’.

Plans that cover the first phase of our new sanctuary are standing to keep the vision for the future before us. We must step up our efforts to make available the necessary resources required to build and occupy until He comes. The second phase will include adding a kitchen onto the rear of the existing church building that will then serve as a first-rate fellowship and dining hall. The third phase adds more classrooms and after school accommodations that offer training programs to you and seniors. Powerhouse must extend to those that are despised and downtrodden a hand of help and feed and clothe those that are without food and shelter. We cannot afford to arrive at the gate of Heaven and be turned away because we did not render service to the less fortunate. Finally, my brothers and my sisters, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might because the battle is not ours, it’s the Lord’s.