Mount Olive International Ministries – CHURCH HISTORY –
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Sunday, July 23, 2017
On Sunday, July 31, 2011, a small group of believers who were friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors gathered to praise and worship the Lord at 6:00 o’clock in the evening in Pastor’s Arly Pierre-Louis’ home under the name of “Haitian-American Wesleyan Ministries” as per Pastor Arly Pierre-Louis’ choice. As a result of that, Pastor Pierre-Louis has become the founder of “Haitian-American Wesleyan Ministries” with the help of the Shenandoah District of the Wesleyan Church located in Roanoke Virginia, his family, and under the banner of God.
On Sunday, September 11, 2011, Haitian-American Wesleyan Ministries had a name changed to Mount Olive International Ministries in order to be more inclusive as per Pastor Pierre-Louis’ children’s suggestion and discussion. The name Mount Olive came from Pastor Pierre-Louis’ sister Bethsaida Pierre-Louis Romain who now resides in Brooklyn, New York and the name International came from one of the Board Members of the Shenandoah District of the Wesleyan Church. The name Ministries remained the same. Mount Olive International Ministries had its first Praise and Worship Celebration at Grace Fellowship 7401, Elkhardt Rd. (Corner of Turner Rd), Richmond, VA 23225. The time of the Praise and Worship Service was at 2:00 o’clock pm because Grace Fellowship had its Worship Service in the morning. Grace Fellowship under the leadership of Pastor Ron Rogers with the affiliation of Shenandoah District of the Wesleyan Church agreed with his Board Members to let Mount Olive International Ministries minister there every Sunday to God’s people on Sunday afternoons. Pastor Pierre-Louis was very happy that Mount Olive has found a church facility to praise and worship the Lord.
The first time to acknowledge Birthdays and Anniversaries on a monthly basis was on Sunday September 25, 2011 after Praise and Worship Celebration. Now the day of acknowledgement for Birthdays and Anniversaries has changed from every last Sunday of the month after Praise and Worship Celebration to every last Friday of the month at 6:30 in the evening on Friday, November 30, 2012 as per Sister Mary Henley’s suggestion, the former coordinator of Hospitality Ministry. The First Fellowship Night and First Christian Movie Night took place as well.
On Sunday, June 17, 2012, Mount Olive International Ministries had its First Sunday School from 10:00am to 10:45am. Mount Olive International Ministries had a new time for its Praise and Worship Service at 11:00am. Pastor Ron Rogers resigned from Grace Fellowship and moved on to a new Wesleyan District in South Carolina. Grace Fellowship ended its ministry. Therefore, Mount Olive International Ministries had the opportunity to use the Former Grace Fellowship Building on a more regular basis.
The First Intercessory Ministry under the leadership of Josie Pierre-Louis, the wife of Pastor Pierre-Louis and Lucretia Taylor, the former treasurer of Mount Olive International Ministries took place on Sunday, July 1, 2012 after the Praise and Worship Service. It is a powerful ministry where the people of God pray unselfishly for themselves and others. On the first year anniversary of Mount Olive International Ministries Sunday, July 29, 2012, the Lord’s Supper was administered in remembrance of the Lord for the first time.
The First Drama took place on Sunday, November 11, 2012 during the Praise and Worship Service at Mount Olive International Ministries featuring Bethlehem Baptist Church. The First Thanksgiving Day service took place on Thursday, November 22, 2012. It was indeed a great Praise and Worship Service giving thanks for what God has done in our lives. The First Candle Light Christmas Eve service was on Monday, December 24, 2012 and what a great privilege for the Body of Christ. Followed by this event was the first New Years service. On Thursday, February 21, 2013, Bible Study began. Although Bible Study took place every Thursday, it was seen fit on June 5, 2013, to change the day to Wednesday instead. The first Good Friday Praise and Worship Service, March 29, 2013 gave the people of Mount Olive International Ministries the chance to appreciate for being a Christian or a Follower of Christ.
The first Baby’s Dedication Tamari Janique Wardell was administered on Sunday, April 7, 2013 during the Praise and Worship Service. The first Memorial Home Going Service for Mrs. Marie Annette Paul took place on Saturday, April 27, 2013 in which Family and Friends gathered to pay tribute to her. The First Mother’s Day Breakfast on Sunday, May 12, 2013 was a great success to honor the mothers for their dedication and commitment. The first Home Prayer Ministry began on Friday, June 7, 2013 at Carl Silencieux’s home. The first Father’s Day Breakfast took place on Sunday, June 16, 2013 and will remain unforgettable.
The first Vacation Bible School took place during the week of Monday, July 8, 2013 to Friday, July 12, 2013. The theme was God’s Awesome Power related to Psalm 147:5.
Ms. Josly Pierre-Louis, Pastor Pierre-Louis first daughter and third child, the Minister of Music Coordinator of Praise Dance Ministry and Sunday School Teacher, was the Coordinator and one of the teachers for Mount Olive International Ministries First Vacation Bible School. The other teachers were Pastor Arly Pierre-Louis, Mr. Karl Rhodes and his wife Mrs. Terry Rhodes, and
Mr. Lours Marseille.
The First Annual Revival was during the week of Monday, July 22, 2013 to
Friday, July 26, 2013. The theme was The Benefits of Following Jesus with the emphasis on Matthew 11:28-30 in relation to the Church Motto. The Preachers for the First Annual Revival were listed as follows: Dr. Jerome Lee, Former Pastor of New Life Baptist Church and Rev. Lisa Johnson, Associate Minister, First Shiloh Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Neal Siler. The First Annual Picnic was held on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at Lours and Kerline Marseille’s House. We truly appreciate Lours and his wife Kerline to let us use their home for our first annual picnic.
The First Car Wash’s idea came from Sister Jessy Foxcroft. It was held on Saturday, August 11, 2013. The First Family and Friends Day Outdoor Praise and Worship Celebration took place on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at 10:00am. Pastor Derrick Parson, United Methodist Church was the Preacher for that First Outdoor Praise and Worship Celebration. The First Back to School Gathering was on Friday, August 30, 2013. The First Day of Prayer and Fasting idea came from Sister Sherline Jean. It was scheduled to be on every second Monday and Fourth Monday as of September 9, 2013.
Furthermore, the first Outreach Homeless Ministry idea came from Dejah Scott the daughter of Sister Jessy Foxcroft. It took place on Sunday, October 27, 2013 after the Praise and Worship Celebration at Monroe Park. The First Outreach Nursing Homes Ministry at Tyler Retreat Nursing Home was on Sunday, December 15, 2013 after the Praise and Worship Celebration. The First Field Trip with the youth to Washington DC took place on Saturday, April 26, 2014. The first time the Praise Dancers had to perform outside of Mount Olive International Ministries was on Sunday, July 13, 2014 after Praise and Worship Celebration in Roanoke, Virginia at Parkway Wesleyan Church one of the churches of the Shenandoah District of the Wesleyan Church.
The First Creole Class started on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. The first students who attended were Jonathan Roker and Josly Pierre-Louis. The teachers were Pastor Arly Pierre-Louis and Mikerlenda Pongnon.
The First Water Baptism Ceremony was held on Sunday, July 20, 2014 after Praise and Worship Celebration. The persons who were baptized were Christie Victoria Pierre-Louis,
Pastor Arly Pierre-Louis’ third daughter and fifth child and Mikerlenda Pongnon.
Brother Karl Rhodes assisted Pastor Arly Pierre-Louis conducting the baptism. The church sound system was completely fixed for the first time on Sunday, July 20, 2014 after the Praise and Worship Celebration and the First Water Baptism under the leadership of Brother Kelly Accilien, with the help of Brother Jude Noël, and Brother Emmanuel Darly Pierre-Louis, the second son and second child of Pastor Arly Pierre-Louis.
The First French Class started on Wednesday July 23, 2014 from 5:30pm to 6:00pm. The first students who attended were Kelly Accilien and Jonathan Roker. The teacher was Pastor Arly Pierre-Louis.
The First Wedding Pastor Arly Pierre-Louis officiated at Mount Olive International Ministries was on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 3:00pm. The newlyweds were Ms. Erika Kanisha Williams and Mr. Junior Metellus Andre Samedi.
The installation for the Board Governing Administrative Members took place for the first time on Sunday, May 24, 2015. Dr. Larry Thompson, the pastor of Beulah Baptist Church presided the installation ceremony. It was indeed a great time in the Lord.
The Men Ministry had their first gathering outside of the church under the leadership of the Associate Pastor Dr. James Allen Cobb at Chick-A-Fila on Saturday, March 19, 2016. The attendees were Pastor Arly Pierre-Louis, Pastor Cobb, Rodney, Pastor Cobb’s older son, and Emmanuel Darly Pierre-Louis.
Movie Under the Stars was held for the first time on Friday, July 23, 2016.
The First Black History Month Praise and Worship Celebration was held on Sunday, February 19, 2017. It was a blessed Praise and Worship Celebration. Praise God.
After all, it is all about building God’s Kingdom. Matthew 6:33 – But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. We pray that God will only pour more blessings and opportunities for the Mount Olive International Ministries. To God be the glory, great things He has done…
M.Div. M.Ed.
Together, pray the Lord !!!
First Lady
BS, Accounting
Technology
Let us continue to do God’s work for His name to be glorified and magnified.
Music Coordinator
Mount Olive International Ministries
7401 Elkhardt Rd (Corner of Turner Rd)
Richmond, VA 23225
Pastor Arly Pierre-Louis, M.Div. M.Ed.
Pastor’s Cell #: (804) 690-1345
Do you know how to remain a member of a country club? Pay your dues. Do that and people will be available to serve you. Do you know how to remain a biblical member of a church? Give abundantly and serve without hesitation.
Membership means we are different but we still work together. With a country club membership you pay others to do the work for you. With church membership, everyone has a role or functions. That is why some are hands, feet, ears, or eyes. We are all different, but are necessary parts of the whole. Each part, therefore, has to do its work, or the whole body suffers.
There is a beautiful diversity in the midst of unity in church membership. The Bible makes it clear that if one part does not do its job, the whole body does not function well. But if one part does its job well, the whole body rejoices and is stronger: “So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it: if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26).
We are not to love fellow church members just because they are lovable. We are to love the unlovable as well. We are not to pray for and encourage our pastors just when they are doing things we like. We are to pray for and encourage them when they do things we don’t like. We are not to serve the church only whey others are joining in. We are to serve the church even if we are alone in doing so.
Church membership is founded on love, authentic, biblical, and unconditional love.
“But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).
FUNCTIONING MEMBERSHIP