The History of Agape Family Worship Center

Proclaiming and Demonstrating the Love of God to the World

After hearing the voice of God to establish a new ministry in the city of Rahway, New Jersey, Agape Family Worship Center (formerly called The Love Church) met for the first time on Sunday, May 27, 1990. The location for this meeting was the garage of Pastor Larry's parents on Leesville Avenue in Rahway. The adults present were: Larry and Vanessa Powell, Gilbert and Christine Grant, Kimberly Abram, Annette Gillette, and Rebecca Powell. The children present were: Darius and CeCe Grant, Mark and Kandis Gillette. It was evident from the beginning that God's anointing was upon this infant congregation.

Immediately the word of Agape Family Worship Center's existence began to spread and the people came to be a part of the new thing that God was doing in the city of Rahway. Although there was much encouragement from well wishers both far and near, there was plenty of opposition and ridicule directed at Pastor Larry and his new congregation. Yet, despite the opposition, Agape Family Worship Center remained undaunted in their commitment to obey the Lord rather than man and the people kept coming. Many testimonies of salvation, baptism in the Holy Spirit, healing and deliverance confirmed that God was moving mightily through this new ministry.

From the garage, which incidentally adapted the name G.G.s (God's Garage), Agape Family Worship Center began holding Sunday services at the Sheraton Hotel in Iselin, New Jersey while continuing to meet at G.G.s on Wednesday evenings for Bible Study. This move gave the congregation much needed space to accommodate the many people who were coming to the services. An excited congregation met for the first service at the Sheraton Hotel on Sunday, March 3, 1991 without the presence of Pastor Larry and Vanessa. As suspicions were confirmed, it was discovered that Vanessa was delivering the couples first child, little Miss Adria Janelle Powell, who was born that Sunday afternoon at 3:13 p.m.

The next facility move for Agape Family Worship Center was a former elementary school in Rahway, the site of our present location. This move was made in June 1993 and provided the congregation with more space to meet for weekly services. Since moving to our present location, the congregation has continued to grow both spiritually and numerically.

Not only has our church grown, but the Powell family has grown as well. Pastor Larry and Vanessa were blessed with the birth of Aaron Raphael on May 28, 1994, and on September 26, 1995 we were graced with Miss Ashlyn Gabrielle.

AFWC acquired approximately 6.5 acres of property valued at $1.5 million dollars in November 1996, January and June 1997. Interestingly, the property is located on the corner of E. Hazelwood Avenue (our present location) and Leesville Avenue (where it all began). In the summer of 1998 AFWC moved its offices into a renovated house located on the property. With additional office space and an expanded staff, AFWC was better equipped to handle the daily administrative tasks of ministry in the spirit of excellence.

In February 2000, the remaining funds necessary to retire the mortgage of the $1.3 million dollar purchase price was raised. Giving commitment pledges were also made to raise the funds required to build and furnish Agape Pointe. The theme of the giving campaign is "Arise and Build" which comes from the story of Nehemiah, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem (See Nehemiah 2:20).

With "Arise & Build" AFWC members were asked to seek God concerning giving to the building fund, and to give by revelation rather than reason. The emphasis was on equal sacrifice rather than equal gifts. Commitment Sunday and Wednesday, February 6th and 9th 2000, resulted in the largest weeks offering AFWC has ever received over $150,000! Additionally, over $1.7 million dollars has been pledged above and beyond regular giving over the next three years.

On Palm Sunday, April 16, 2000, Pastor and Vanessa, along with the Elders led the congregation on a march from our present location to break ground on the future site of Agape Pointe. Rahway Mayor James Kennedy, Councilman David Brown and Jerry Spanola of Lauro Associates Architects, P.C. also participated in this momentous Ground Breaking Ceremony.

Agape Pointe will provide AFWC with much needed space to accommodate the following:
a Church Auditorium, Childrens and Young Adult Ministry Facilities, Nursery, Administrative Offices, Bookstore, Classrooms, Library and Educational Center, Family Life Center, and the newly launched Impact 21 Community Development Corporation.

Pray for us as we continue "Proclaiming and Demonstrating the Love of God to the World" We are confident that He that has begun a good work in us will complete it even to the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).