Church History
In 1955, after venturing from his father’s ministry, Pastor George W. Bogle started Faith Gospel Temple. Newly married, Pastor Bogle and wife Shirley Bogle diligently labored in ministry together. Within ten years Faith Gospel Temple had grown to capacity and a new church was constructed.
In 1964, the doors to Evangel Church opened. Located in Mt Clemens, Michigan on Joy Boulevard, this church’s evangelical focus would guide the Bogles to a wide range of outreach ministries. The vision of a radio ministry, purposed to reach the metro Detroit area with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, was birthed. In 1967 Prayer Time had reached the radio airwaves and a journey of prayer began. This was to be just the beginning of the church’s commitment in ministering to peoples’ lives through prayer.
In 1970, Evangel Church moved from Mt. Clemens to Detroit, and took on a name that truly reflected the heart of the ministry, “The House of Prayer.” The church’s passion for outreach was reflected in the diverse group that it attracted. Its continuing mission to reach the greater Detroit area with the Gospel spilled onto the television airwaves in the late 70s and continued until the mid-90s.
Also in the 90s, now called Evangel Ministries, the church expanded its walls to reach even more of its neighboring areas. It opened two locations, one in East Detroit, and also one in Taylor, Michigan. As the 21st century began, the church had a dynamic staff of ministers headed by Pastor Christopher W. Brooks.
In 2003, Pastor Bogle selected, then Executive Pastor, Christopher W. Brooks as Senior Pastor and Pastor Bogle became Pastor Emeritus; empowering Pastor Brooks to continue the vision. Today, Evangel Ministries has one central church, located in the heart of Detroit. It is surrounded by the construction of a beautiful new campus that hosts many evangelical ministries such as the Love Your Body Health and Fitness Center, which is a ten thousand square foot facility that provided health and fitness opportunities to the Christian community six days a week.
Since its founding in 1964, Evangel Ministries has created many innovative programs that have uplifted, restructured, and revolutionized the lives and families of its members. Though its purpose has always been to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the unsaved, Evangel Ministries is also committed to offering programs and support services toward the continued betterment of those already saved. Now under the leadership of Senior Pastor Christopher W. Brooks the standard and vision remain the same. The uncompromised Word of God is still being sent out daily through the airwaves, and Evangel Ministries is still committed to praying for the saved and unsaved alike.
For more than four decades, Evangel has promoted the development of its members, the Detroit community, and the Body of Christ at-large through two Christian academies, a Bible College, Job Training and Placement, missionary programs, food and charitable outreaches, radio/television/audiotape ministries, and prison outreaches.