Life Center International Church (COGIC)

In June of 1998, after pastoring successfully for five years in Springfield, Missouri, the Lord laid it upon the heart of Pastor Elijah Hankerson that his work there was finished, and it was time to move on. After seeking God for direction, he felt the leading of the Lord to relocate he and his family to Saint Louis, Missouri. After much prayer and travail the Lord confirmed to Sister Rachel Hankerson that this is where the Lord would have them to accomplish His work. Pastor & Sister Hankerson, knowing that Saint Louis was already filled with churches, asked the Lord what was to be the distinctiveness of their ministry. The Lords reply was that a lot of people in the city were actually spiritually dead; and that the job of this new ministry was to go and proclaim a message of life to the people. Thus, the name of the church was called Life Center Church. Later realizing that the ultimate outreach of this church would extend around the world the name was expanded to Life Center International Church. On October 31, 1998 Pastor and Sister Hankerson gathered an assembly of family and friends to pray and provide financial support toward the vision of the ministry. On January 3, 1999 Life Center International Church officially opened its doors with only three families; the Hankerson family, the McCain family and the Webb family. What started merely as a dream has now grown in four short years to a ministry of hundreds of souls. Souls have been saved and filled with the Holy Ghost, backsliders have been reclaimed, sick bodies have been healed; and many souls that were discouraged can now say, "I found life at the Life Center." Life Center is a composite of outreach ministries; including annual conventions, a ministry training seminar, a summer camp, annual community egg hunt and a host of ministries that are in formation. Thousands listen and respond to our radio broadcast every week. With the official launching of Outreach Campaign 2002, Life Center is a missions church committed to world evangelism. Outreach Campaign 2002 reached an estimated 940,000 people in the metropolitan area. We already have an extensive feeding program, have supplied crisis assistance to needy individuals, and use 30% of church income solely for ministry purposes. Through partnering with the other ministries, Life Center has fed the hungry, sheltered the homeless and clothed the naked. One of the greatest achievements of this dynamic ministry, has been the purchase of an historic 500 seat cathedral to further our outreach efforts. The best is yet to come for Life Center International Church. Truly, we are CHANGING THE WORLD ONE LIFE AT A TIME!