About Us

Family-oriented | Spirit-led | Bible believing | Sabbath-keeping

About The Church of God at Jerusalem Acres

Rooted in Historical Commitment

At The Church of God Jerusalem Acres, we embrace our roots in the church Jesus built with his disciples in the New Testament and trace our modern beginnings from the Protestant reformation through the Pentecostal Revival in the late 1800s/early 1900's. We believe in unconditional love, following Jesus' example in all aspects of life.

The Church of God is grounded in a strong tradition of New Testament teaching and experience. We have always been dedicated to the premise of renewal of authentic New Testament Christianity and restoration of the Bible church – a commitment both to truth and to people.

Dedicated to Present Ministry

We are dedicated to the proposition of ministering to the needs of the whole man – body, soul, and spirit. We seek to share the grace and power of the risen Christ with all those who need salvation, deliverance, healing, and relationship with the Lord. We seek to share the knowledge of the eternal truths of the Word of God with those who need to be enlightened and liberated from religious confusion and spiritual chaos by the power of the rightly-divided Word of God and its immutable principles.

Prepared for Future Service

We have a deep commitment to the calling on the church to equip all believers, both clergy and laity, for works of ministry and service. Our view of the future is one of ever-expanding opportunities for being the church of the Bible by ministering to the nations. We are committed, therefore, to preparation for future service, believing that the finest hours for the Christian church are yet to come.

Our Church Vision

Faith and Fellowship

At The Church of God Jerusalem Acres, we are committed to fostering a strong sense of faith and fellowship among our members. We believe that building relationships is essential for spiritual growth.

Spirit-Led Worship

Our worship services at The Church of God Jerusalem Acres are spirit-led and designed to uplift and inspire. We encourage everyone to participate and experience the presence of God together.

Teaching and Discipleship

We prioritize teaching the Word of God at The Church of God Jerusalem Acres. Our discipleship programs aim to equip members with the knowledge and tools to live out their faith daily.

The History of The Church of God

The Church of God was founded on June 13, 1903 by A.J. Tomlinson in Cherokee County, NC. At its inception, the church was known as The Holiness Church. In 1907, the name of the church was changed to Church of God. A.J. Tomlinson was named General Overseer of the church in 1914 after many years of leading the church. In 1923, he reformed the church after it began a decline into democracy.

After A.J. Tomlinson founded the Church of Prophecy Markers Association in 1941, he appointed Grady R. Kent as head over it in 1943. After Tomlinson’s death his son Milton was appointed as General Overseer. In the subsequent years, Grady Kent was instrumental in the Fields of the Wood project in Murphy, NC and the airplane program. He, along with several pilots and other personnel, flew with nine single engine airplanes to the Caribbean Islands and became known at “The Flying Bishop of America.” In 1948, the church adopted a resolution making the General Assembly the highest authority in the church. In 1953, the church changed its name from Church of God to The Church of God of Prophecy.

Grady Kent resigned from The Church of God of Prophecy on February 13, 1957 and led a reformation to return to God’s pattern of Theocratic Government – with an appointed leader, 12 apostles, 72 Prophets, and the 7 Men of Wisdom. 300 people made a decision to stand with him and his convictions. This group reorganized and in 1958 adopted its official name, The Church of God. He was then appointed Chief Bishop over The Church of God.

In 1958, a seven acre tract of land was purchased in Cleveland, Tennessee and became known as Jerusalem Acres. In May of 1962, Bishop Kent made a long-anticipated trip to Israel for the purpose of marking the site on Mt. Hattin where Jesus established the church. There, he built a marker, placing twelve stones, symbolic of the twelve apostles that Jesus ordained there, upon one large stone which represented the revelation of Jesus Christ whom upon the early church was built. He also introduced the concept of “New Testament Judaism” to the church as a restoration of the Judaic Heritage of first century Christianity.

Bishop Kent died on March 31, 1964 during the Passover season, at the time of the great earthquake in Alaska. Since then, several Chief Bishops have presided over the church: Marion Hall, Robert Somerville, and John Looper. In 1976, the Star of David Building on Jerusalem Acres was dedicated. This serves as the Headquarters building and Publishing house of The Church of God, today. From 1964 through the early nineties, the church began to lean away from the ideals on which it was founded.

In July 1996, Bishop Samuel Kramer was appointed the presiding Bishop over the church. Under his leadership, the church has fully returned to a Sabbath-keeping service schedule which had largely been abandoned under Looper’s administration and has worked to restore the full practice of Theocratic Government within the church.

On March 13, 2017, Bishop Lavell Craig was appointed the new Presiding Bishop over the church with Bishop Kramer retaining an honorary Bishop designation in honor of 22 years of service to the Presiding Bishop seat. Bishop Kramer went home to be with the Lord after faithfully serving in the church for 54 years on November 9, 2017.

On May 26, 2023, Bishop H. David Lam was appointed the new Presiding Bishop over the church.

Currently, the church is working towards restoration in light of Romans 11.