BCI History: In the Beginning
- Nov 21, 1992
- Series: 10th Anniversary
The crisp autumn Sunday on November 21, 1982 was a perfect day to celebrate the Lord’s Day. The bright sunshine reflected on the faces of the thirty adults who gaily entered a private home at 7 Chopin Court, Jersey City, New Jersey. Although Thanksgiving Day was still four days away, these men and women of faith would not wait to offer up the fruit of their lips to give thanks and praises to the Lord. With children in tow, they walked up to the upper floor and the melody in their hearts audibly rang in their greetings to one another. When the last person arrived, they assembled in the living room and the worship service began.
It was the first time the group gathered together as a house church. It was the beginning of what would later become Bible Church International. On that historical morning, the melodious birds outside joined their Spirit filled hearts as they sang praises to the Lord. They also devoted themselves to prayer, the teaching of the Word and fellowship. Short of the dramatic events, which formed the New Testament Church, it was nevertheless an unforgettable day.
In anticipation of an unwanted conclusion to their worship celebration, they brought food to share a potluck lunch together, just as the first century Christians did, as an extension their fellowship. They arrived in their temporary “houses of worship” with a Bible in one hand a pot full of dish on the other. The Agape Fellowship inherently became a tireless ministry still carried out to this day. On that glorious day, the presence of the Lord was greatly felt among them. The love and joy, which overflowed from their hearts, translated into a great enthusiasm for the important task of founding a Christ-centered church in fulfillment of the Great Commission. They reluctantly ended the fellowship but eagerly looked forward to the first business meeting to organize an ethnic church in the midst of a diversely populated city.