The Faith Chapel journey began on October 4, 1977 when founding pastor, Dr. Mike Moore was introduced to Jesus Christ by a former classmate, John Killion. A few months later, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit after reading several books given to him by Phyllis West, a former Berea College friend, who later served as the Kids' Pastor of Faith Chapel.
In November 1978, while attending Samford University's Cumberland School of Law, Dr. Mike Moore was called into the ministry. He made the decision to discontinue his studies to fully pursue the call of God on his life.
In January 1979, Dr. Moore preached his first sermon, and in 1980, he began as pastor of his first church, Grace Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and eventually Earnest Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
"... the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary..."
God revealed I Chronicles 28:10,20-21 to Dr. Moore:
"Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong and do it ....And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
...and there shall be with thee all manner of workmanship, every willing skillful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.”
In February 1981, Dr. Moore left Earnest Chapel. In April 1981, Faith Chapel was started in Dr. Moore's home in the Wylam community of Birmingham, Alabama. The church began with four people: Dr. Mike Moore, Al Sullivan, a long-time friend, Mary Moore, his mother, and Kennetha Moore, his wife. Those who had enthusiastically received God's Word at Earnest Chapel came to be a part of the new church. After six months, the church had grown and it was time to move from the home in which the church began. So in September 1981, church services were held at Stallworth Funeral Home in Ensley. After one year, it was time to move again.
Dr. Moore moved his congregation to the YWCA in downtown Birmingham from November 1982 to July 3, 1983. While there, the Lord gave him a scripture, II Samuel 7:10: "Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more..."
God instructed them to search the land because He was going to give them a place to call their own. During this time, Sister Lougenia Spencer, church secretary, was certain that God had told her that an abandoned school building in her community was "the place." In Pastor's spirit, he felt she was right.
On February 1, 1982, they sealed the bids for the sale of the 3.4 acre, 7,645 square-foot McDonald Chapel School and were given the right to purchase the property. On July 10, 1983, with less than 30 people, they entered into the promised land. Enthusiasm was high, but the enthusiastic spirit disappeared.
In 1990, God told Dr. Moore, “I'm going to start all over." Yes, God began a new church in the spiritual sense. It was a new beginning for the church, a fresh start. God gave Dr. Moore a special message entitled, "Change and Move with the Cloud." Since that time, the church experienced supernatural numerical growth.
Many significant things happened following Faith Chapel’s new beginning: Between 1990 and 1995, several ministerial staff members were hired full-time and delegated specific authority -- Debra Blaylock (Church Administrator), Phyllis West (Children's Pastor), Connie Blaylock (Director of Pastoral Care) and Carol Lewis (church secretary). The Student Ministry, formerly Lively Stones Teen Church, was also established in 1990.
In 1993, the Helps Ministry and the Evangelism Ministry were formed. In the same year, the main sanctuary was renovated, the children’s facility was completed, and the parking lot was paved.
In 1994, the first television broadcast aired.
In 1996, Faith Chapel became DEBT FREE, paying off $495,000 in approximately eight months.
On April 29, 1999, Faith Chapel purchased 37.6 acres of land for $237,000. This was the beginning of the debt-free, multi-million dollar building project. On December 19, 1999, Faith Chapel broke ground on the new Dome facility.
On December 15, 2002, Faith Chapel entered the DEBT-FREE, 3,000-seat Word Dome!
On April 16, 2003, Faith Chapel purchased an additional 100 acres for the completion of a family activity and outreach center. On June 12th, Faith Chapel broke ground on the Bridge, a 16-acre facility consisting of 6 more domes.
2010 - Construction on The Bridge is complete and open to the Faith Chapel members in 2011.
2014 - The Bridge has an Open House for the public in July 2014.
2023 - On January 1, 2023, Dr. Mike Moore's son, Pastor Michael K. Moore, transitioned into the role of Lead Pastor at Faith Chapel. Our founding Pastor, Dr. Mike Moore will remain active as the CEO of Mike Moore Ministries and will continue ministering to pastors worldwide.
