Our Ministries

Where Do You Want to Serve?
Bereavement Ministry Image

Bereavement Ministry

The mission of the Bereavement Ministry is to comfort the membership of the church as well as the community at large in the time of loss of their loved ones. We will act in such a manner as to help strengthen one another, recognizing that these are times of great sorrow and pain. We will serve to help those that remain, keep faith in God, continue in brotherly love and draw closer in the family way. We will make visits to the homes, help steer around problems that may arise, assist with arrangements and help facilitate home going services. II Corinthians 5:8 tell us “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” This truth we shall minister as we continue in the fellowship of Christ.

Within the Bereavement Ministry, group members have described their experiences in their own words:

“A safety net when my world was literally falling apart!”

“I thought I was losing my mind!”

“I am so glad I made the decision to attend this group!”

“I don’t know what I would have done if the Bereavement/ Grief Ministry had not stuck by my side.”

“I enjoy the weekly videos, discussions, and work books.”

Celebrate Recovery

Are you or someone you know struggling with:

  • Addiction
  • Anger
  • Codependency
  • Eating Disorder
  • Food Addiction
  • Love & Relationship Addiction
  • Physical-Sexual-Emotional Abuse
  • Alcohol / Drug Addiction
  • Sexual Addiction
  • Gambling Addiction

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery programs for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. It is aimed at all “hurts, habits, and hang-ups”, including but not exclusive to high anxiety; co-dependency; compulsive behaviors; sex addiction; financial dysfunction; drug and alcohol addictions; and eating disorders. Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life.

Celebrate Recovery
Shelter Ministry

Shelter Ministry

The goal of all our local missions’ efforts is to be who we are (disciples of Jesus), where we are (our community) so that people may be restored to right relationship with God and all that sin has broken. We seek to accomplish this goal by:

  • Speaking the gospel: The most unique and eternal way to love others is to tell them how they can be reconciled to God.
  • Showing the gospel: The gospel creates compassion for others that compels us to relieve both their spiritual and physical suffering.

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry Ministry provides a variety of tangible means of service that meet physical and spiritual needs within our First Church family to provide groceries, encouragement, prayer and the Gospel.  Through this process of serving we are able to make the goal of our service the Gospel and the roles of leadership and service opportunities for discipleship and spiritual growth.  Your prayers and involvement allow us to demonstrate the Gospel in word and deed!

Food Pantry Photo
Media Ministry Image

Media Ministry

The ministry’s mission is to glorify God by ensuring that His Word and our praise and song to Him is seen and heard clearly and without distraction or interference within our local church and throughout the world as its broadcasted or distributed on media with the highest video, audio, and production quality available.

Diaconate Board

As extended arms of the Pastor, we minister to the congregation as his representatives in matters that will further the growth of the individual member and the corporate body. It is our responsibility to attend to the needs of the members of the church, as related to the spiritual and the temporal needs that may arise. As Deacons, we are passionate to develop a more Christ-like congregation and are committed to the standard of ministry proclaimed by the written and preached Word of God.

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Nurse Ministry Image

Nurses Ministry

Mission:

The mission of the nurses’ ministry is to serve God’s people as church nurses by giving aid and comfort as directed by the word of God in using our gifts and talents.

Goal:

The goal of the nurses ’ministry is to identify the needs of our ministry as church nurses and its importance to the pastor, congregation and the community. Additionally, our services will provide aid to those in need through Christian love, compassion, as identified in the word of God.

Duties:

  • Be a willing worker
  • Be cognitive and alert to attend to the needs of the congregation
  • Assist with funerals
  • Attend to the Pastor and 1st lady’s needs at church as well as outings
  • Assist with Health Fair Events
  • Obtain training in CPR and First aid in non-emergency and emergency situations
  • Attend seminars and training to understand church nurse’s responsibilities
  • Provide information in association with health awareness and concerns in the church and community

Ministers’ Board

         “ …and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Rom. 10:14b

 The Ministers’ Board of the First Church of the Living God is comprised of Ordained, Licensed, and Aspiring Ministers.  The ministers on this board assist the Senior Pastor in the execution of the mission of the church, which is to win and develop souls for the kingdom of God.  They accomplish this by teaching, preaching, and leading the congregation by example.  The Ministerial Staff of the First Church of the Living God meets monthly for the purposes of training, execution of various duties, prayer, and support.  They are servant leaders and serve within and without of the church as the need arises.  The ministers are also utilized to support pastoral ministry in evangelism, missions and administering the ordinances of the church.

The Ministers’ Board has officers, which consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

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Children's Choir

Children’s Choir

This is an exciting ministry opportunity available to your children! We are committed to exposing your child to the Gospel through music and helping him/her grow in expressing their worship through music. We want your children to have the opportunity to serve the Lord through music and learn to lead others to do the same. They will also grow in their knowledge of vocal production as they explore both the beauty and power God has designed music to communicate.

Purpose of Children’s Choir

  • To encourage children to worship the Lord through music.
  • To teach children the blessings of serving the Lord through music.
  • To teach children how to effectively lead others in worship.
  • To enhance and instruct musical skills important to leading in worship.
  • To develop future church musicians and encourage continuity from age to age.
  • To foster the importance of Christian Community.

Pastoral Care

The Pastoral Care ministry goal is to provide help, support, and practical ministry assistance to the Shepherd of First Church. Through this ministry of love, a network of caregivers offers assistance and support as well as in respective seasons, celebrate our Pastors, so they will be encouraged and strengthened to fulfill God’s call.

Pastor Jessie
Young Adults

Young Adult Ministry / Kinetic Faith

Kinetic Faith is focused on empowering those ages 20 to 40, now known as millennials, to refuse to see their lives apart from Christ and to ever explore what it means to be uniquely themselves and deeply Christian in their homes, communities, schools and workplace.

Our vision is to live like the Acts 2 church. By devoting ourselves to the apostle’s teaching, prayer, breaking of bread, and fellowship, we trust the Lord to build His church.

Women’s Ministry – Vessels of Honor

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.   If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20-21)

Vessels unto Honor – Women’s Ministry emphasizes women ministering to other women for the purpose of encouraging, assisting them in the recognition & use of spiritual gifts, equipping them to serve others and lastly, evangelizing to women in the Hartford area.  This ministry’s preeminent goal is to meet the spiritual needs of Christian women and help them to grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.

We endeavor to create an atmosphere where multi-generational women can realize spiritual maturity and leadership skills; and minister in their homes, the local church, and their communities.  With these undertakings, we host quarterly Women’s Fellowship events, annual retreat conferences, and service projects where we assemble to share time growing in our spiritual knowledge and love of God.  Please join us as we encourage, equip, promote, and challenge our women in their journey as disciples of Jesus Christ.

The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Titus 2:3-5

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H.Y.P.B.C. Image

H.Y.P.B.C.

H.Y.P.B.C (Holy Young People’s Bible Class) is an active part of the Kings Kidz youth ministry of FCLG.  The vision for this ministry is to:

  • enrich the lives of our youth,
  • teach them how to defend their faith with the Word of God and Holy Spirit,
  • and effectively share the gospel with everyone.

This ministry offers classes for students ages 3-18.  The classes are fun, innovative, hands-on, practical and relative to their lives.  Meetings are held on Wednesdays from 7:30pm-8:30pm.  All are welcome & we hope to see you there!

 

Dance Ministry

Our mission is to enrich lives through praise and worship and through creative dance inspired by God. The Lord’s desire for this ministry is to fill us with wisdom and revelation through the Holy Spirit.

In this ministry, we proclaim the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by the ministry of dance through the power of healing, deliverance, and the winning of souls for God’s Kingdom.

Psalm 34: 1-3 “I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord. The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”

The Liturgical Dance Ministry currently functions in two (2) capacities: Firstly, as the, Immaculate One Liturgical Dance Ministry, and secondly, as the Immaculate One Mime Dance Ministry.

The ministry functions as a family of worshippers, who gather together to facilitate creativity and worship amongst ourselves, our end being true worship unto a worthy Savior. Worship that will bless, transform and minister first to the group individually and collectively, and then to those being ministered to, after God.

Our Aim/Goal
To train the next generation of minstrels in the art of worship. To inspire reverence for the Sovereignty of God amongst our youth and young adults. To facilitate growth in relationship with God that inspires perpetual connection to God in and through dance. To help each individual come in contact with the character of God within themselves, especially that of God as Creator.

Dance Ministry Photo
Music Ministry Image

Music Ministry

“It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the…instruments of music, and praised the LORD that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.”   II Chronicles 5:13, 14

Led by the Churches of the Living God’s National Minister of Music, Margaret Estelle, our choir uses both our voices and instruments to express our love for God. Our Worship team sets the “tone” & prepares the heart for the Word as our Praise Team will make you shake the dust off your feet & praise the most-high God.  We use music as a tool for developing gifts and abilities and as a way of glorifying and proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ. We believe that every voice can be the perfume of your spirit.  And when on one accord, our worship ascends to heaven as it rejoices and pleases the Father.

Missionary Ministry

“If any man serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my  
servant be: if any man serves me, him will my Father honor.”   John 12:26

The City Missionary is a quintessential ministry of the First Church of the Living God (hereby referenced as First Church).  This ministry provides the opportunity to serve the members of the church as well as people of the immediate neighborhood & Greater Hartford community. It provides the fundamental necessities for self-preservation and well-being during their everyday life journey.

Jesus said, “For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” 
Matthew 25:35-37, 40b

One of life’s greatest spiritual graces is to serve one’s fellow man.  As we understand that all of us are called to serve one another, the intent of such a ministry (as the City Missionary) is to facilitate the practice of having a hands-on policy to create avenues to help people.  Here at First Church, we are all helpers when it comes to this ministry, however, there are those who are especially gifted in the area of hospitality.  These individuals assist in creating a team of volunteers to keep the congregation moving & volunteering to meet the needs of the people.  Benevolent acts include feeding the hungry while utilizing our food pantry, as well as visiting the sick and home bound.  These individuals are also part of visitation teams; assist in providing clothing, shelter and sometimes employment through agency networking, which are just a few of the duties and much more.  The Missionary Staff serves the hungry both natural & “spiritual” food at South Park Inn shelter in the center of the city of Hartford & hosts religious services at the Bloomfield Convalescent Home, a suburb of Hartford.  These dedicated workers answer the call of God in healing our city.

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Men's Ministry Image

Men’s Ministry

Our Men’s Ministry is dedicated to helping men be the men God calls us to be. A Godly man is a servant: this means serving your congregation, your family and your community.  If husbands, you are called to be a Godly example to both your wife and children.

Becoming a Christian man is not only about the destination but the beginning of a life-long journey.  Under my direction, support of the brethren, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, this men’s ministry strives to impart the “how to’s” in:
~ making himself available to God and allowing Him to use their hearts and lives’ in the great commission “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit“;

~ developing & maintaining Godly character; and

~ equipping men to influence their homes, work, church & community for Christ.

As such, the following tools are needed & imparted to the men of this ministry to be a true, vessel of honor unto the Lord by:

Consistently & essentially studying and applying God’s Word throughout their lives

Connecting with other Godly men for the purpose of community, accountability, confession, and prayer (Galatians 6:1-3; James 5:16; Hebrews 10:23-24)

Getting involved in this ministry using each man’s gifts and talents as God has called each of us to pour out to others what He has poured into us (1 Peter 4:10-11; Ephesians 4:11-13)

Actively sharing our faith in order to lead others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15; Matthew 28:18-20)

Impacting others by investing time and resources into the lives of other men, our families & community

It is our desire to outfit the men of this church with the whole armor of God, that they might be ready for their daily struggles against their flesh, the world and the enemy. Through discipleship strategies & teachings, we equip men to fulfill their roles as servant leaders in their families, churches, workplaces and communities.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another…” (Proverbs 27:17)

H.O.P.E. CDC

What is H.O.P.E. CDC?
H.O.P.E. CDC (Helping Other People Excel Community Development Corporation) is a non-profit 501(c) corporation founded upon the vision of Jesse J. White, II, Pastor of the First Church of the Living God. H.O.P.E.’s vision is to raise the consciousness of the community to a level of excellence and its children being equipped to meet the challenges of our fast paced, technology-driven society.  Within H.O.P.E. is a family life center with a number of successful programs including a weekly Food Pantry, Financial Management Training, Child Care Assistance, and Educational Tutoring.  Collectively, these programs help families that are striving to raise healthy children (in every sense), educationally advance the youth, encourage economic prosperity and contributing to others within the community.  In this effort, we provide activities and services to underprivileged, underserved, at-risk children, adults and families in Greater Hartford.

How Do We Help & Our Mission?
~Provide community residents with accessible, quality childcare and effective family education and support;
~Increase the numbers of parents and families that can find help, information and support needed within
the local community;
~Celebrate families and help empower them to succeed;
~Decrease the number of children at risk for behavioral problems; family struggles, violence and education
disruptions;
~Increase individual and family success by expanding opportunities, identifying strengths & talents,
developing necessary life skills and providing strong role models; and
~Supporting families to achieve economic prosperity, family success, civic contributions and spiritual
growth.

Who is Behind H.O.P.E. CDC?
Being a thriving urban congregation, First Church is uniquely qualified to identify and meet the critical needs of children and families challenged by social-emotional, educational-vocational, economic or family stresses.  As Pastor of First Church and board chairman, Pastor White is well known in the Hartford community for his leadership and advocacy.  Under his leadership, H.O.P.E. CDC has developed effective collaborations with the West End neighborhood of business, civic, religious and educational organizations.  Pastor White has served as an elected leader of the Greater Hartford Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice (ICEJ), an organization which addresses systematic issues of racial and economic disparities throughout the Greater Hartford region.  Pastor White is also a member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, an organization of African American clergy dedicated to strengthening urban communities and also the Capital Region Conference of Churches, an ecumenical organization that provides information, resources, and support to Hartford ministries.

Where Are We Located?
The Family Life Center of H.O.P.E. CDC is located at 70 Whitney Street in the center of the Hartford West End and directly across from Noah Webster Magnet School.

Tutoring
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Marriage Ministry

The mission of the Marriage Ministry is to promote the institution of marriage as written in the Bible that will sponsor the growth of husbands, wives, children and communities.  We set out to accomplish this goal through monthly meetings which occurs on the third Friday of every month.  Married couples are encouraged to attend and participate in a variety of activities that range from in-depth discussions on topics that are vital to marital success, to group activities that allow married couples to increase intimacy within their own relationships, as well as strengthen the bonds of married couples within the church body.  This is accomplished without compromising the standard of Holiness that God has ordained for the institution of marriage which He has created.  We view marriage as a blessing because it simultaneously gives us the opportunity to enter into covenant with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as well as enter into a covenant of eternal love with our spouses (Hallelujah!).  Please continue to pray for marriages and this ministry as we grow in God’s grace.

God Bless ~ Brother Nkosi & Sister Grace Lee

Kings Kidz

The purpose of FCLG’s Kings’s Kidz Youth Ministry is to engage & assist in the direction of the social and spiritual needs of the youth within our church. Our mission and prayer is that the current generation will remember their Creator in the days of their youth, to ensure a long & prosperous life. We do so by providing fun & spiritually enlightening programs, activities, and events. Our greatest desire is that ALL our youth will have a personal & intimate relationship with God through the plan of Salvation.

Current & Long Term Goals of the Ministry
~To develop young people and to prepare them for a life of service to God
~To teach the youth how the Bible applies to their lives
~To provide an outlet for our youth to express themselves
~To allow youth to have fun with other like-minded youth
~To empower the youth to affect those who they come in contact with
~To allow the youth to have a voice in terms of what goes on in their church community

King’s Kidz Directors, Elder Jesse White, III and Sis. Walidah White, encourage young people who profess faith in Jesus Christ to learn more about Him and live a life pleasing to our Lord & Savior. The King’s Kidz Youth Department meets monthly to brainstorm, initiate strategies, and think of creative ways to compel our youth to live for Christ. One weekend a month, “Youth Weekend” is held at our church and is comprised of a service, play or skit highlighting biblical principles as well as fun, biblical teachings, and games. We also have an “Anonymous Inquiry” box that allows the youth to ask questions that might be plaguing their hearts or minds; and these questions are addressed in a forum setting so that all may learn and be encouraged together. We also offer academic tutoring for young people in the department as a way to meet the needs of all of our youth. 

Be empowered by Elder J.J. White on YouTube as he empowers all our Youth to exceed & excel in the life & the kingdom of God on King’s Kidz TV! http://www.youtube.com/user/kingskidztv

Kings Kidz