How It All Started

The late Henry David Ball along with six faithful members started the Ebenezer House of Prayer in 1964. Elder and Sister Ball, Sister Mary Ball (Thompson), Sister Linda Ball (Crooks), Sister Nellie Boothe, Mother Dennis and Sister Harris were the seven members that were present when the doors of the church were open at 5152 South Indiana.

Upon the death of Elder Ball, the Lord saw it fit to call Elder Winston D. Thompson to carry the staff and lead the sheep.  The theme for the Church, ‘We’ve Come This Far By Faith, Leaning On The Lord’.

Under the leadership of Elder Thompson, the church outgrew its original location. In an attempt to find an adequate location, Elder Thompson saw the building at 911 West 50th Place. Prior to obtaining a contract to purchase the property, Elder Thompson had a prayer vigil on the front steps of the main building. He anointed all the columns/pillars on the front of the church with oil and claimed the entire complex in Jesus’ name. A week after submitting a contract to purchase the property, the realtor called and advised that another buyer had come forward with cash to buy the property. Since we could not present cash to buy the property, we lost the contract.

But God!!! SIX months later, the realtor called and told Elder Thompson that they were unsuccessful in all their attempts to sell the property. The neighbors had advised him we had prayer on the steps of the church and they saw us “put stuff” on the pillars of the building. He said that the building was still available if we were still interested. Look at God!! We went back with a new offer much lower than our original offer and it was accepted – Praise God!!

Elder Thompson, a young man, has taken Ebenezer on to higher heights. He has a vision given by God and he has the mind to work. We, the Ebenezer family, under the leadership of Suffragan Bishop Thompson will continue to develop new programs for the church.  We will support our pastor and his work spiritually, financially, and physically. Our Goal – build a house of worship, where sinners come in to be saved; backsliders can be reclaimed; the weak can be strengthened, and the Saints of God can be edified.