REFUGE TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

CHURCH HISTORY

Refuge Temple COGIC was established on September 29, 1986. After several visions and dreams, God inspired Pastor Whitley to begin a bible study. The studies were conducted in the homes of the saints in the beginning phase of the ministry. During the month of October 1986, Pastor Whitley was granted the permission to use the Post Chapel for Tuesday night Bible Study. As Pastor Whitley continued with this mission to establish a C.O.G.I.C. in Harford County, God moved mightily in his life through visions and dreams. In one of his visions, which he shared with the saints, God showed him an eagle flying to yonder mountains. The eagle flew through three clouds only to find no place to rest. He could not see the eagle returning to earth. The eagle passed through a dark cloud and then a very bright day. The eagle then flew over the treetops to find nowhere to land and rest. Pastor Whitley could hear the voice of God saying, "MANY OF MY PEOPLE ARE AS AN EAGLE THEY ARE STRONG BUT MANY OF THEM ARE TIRED OF RUNNING AND ARE LOOKING FOR A PLACE OF REST." From this vision God gave Pastor Whitley the name of the church, "Refuge Temple" - A place of rest for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalms 9:9. In another vision, God revealed to Pastor Whitley a group of people traveling eastward. They stopped at a playgroung and their feet begtan to talk to one another saying, "Where do we go from here?" The Lord told him to tell the feet they could not go anywhere with out a leader. From these visions, dreams and inspirations of the Holy Ghost, Pastor Whitley established a church as God had led him to do so. As he began to follow the Lord's mission, he was directed in a very different way. God allowed him to see a 4-way intersection ad a building. A stop sign was next to the building, as he traveled looking for this place, God led him to 701 Revolution Street. God showed him a white building on a main road away from a water stream. Twenty months later, he was informed that a white building at 116 Spesutia Road was for sale. After many hindrances and trials,