CHURCH HISTORY
Tabernacle Church of God
Pillar and Ground Of The Truth
Through the prompting, leading and direction of God the Holy Spirit, on July 11, 1976, Bishop E. Henri- and his wife, Evangelist Lurline Henri-Mundle, answered the call of God to launch "The Tabernacle Full Gospel Church”. With a few invited guests, the first services were held and conducted in the White Plains Y.M.C.A., at Mamaroneck Avenue, located in White Plains, New York , in the County of Westchester. We experienced continual growth and on October 1, 1976, we had our first baptism, with three baptismal candidates. On the same day the church was officially organized with seven members. After one year we were compelled to move to another location. An alternative place of worship was almost impossible to find in this city. Therefore, with the unanimous decision of the members, which was then about twelve, we decided to rent a storefront at 4755 White Plains Road, Bronx, New York. It was there that we conducted services for the next two years and three months. This relocation out of Westchester County was the Lord's doing. He was repositioning us to His decreed place.
During this time the hand of the Lord was stretched out upon us and many people were saved, baptized in water and filled with the Holy Ghost. In 1979 we were incorporated under the name of “The Tabernacle Full Gospel Church, Inc.". Then in 1980 a permanent place of worship was purchased at 853 East 221 Street, Bronx, New York. It was at this location that the Spirit of the Lord came upon Bishop E. Henri-Mundle to build and expand. Bishop Henri-Mundle was led by God to motivate the members to erect a proper sanctuary for the glory of God. This was to be a work of faith, for then we had only fifty thousand dollars, approximately in hand. The estimated cost for completing the sanctuary was half a million dollars. This was solely to be accomplished by God and God was present with us to accomplish it.
However, when a bank loan application returned with a denial a word from God was spoken to Bishop Henri-Mundle that "the money was right here", it was already within the church. Every work in God's service must be accomplished through the means of faith. It was the right time and season to build. God moved upon the people and encouraged them to give, some to loan, some to pray, some to coordinate fund raising endeavors, so the work of God could move forward. God's people had a mind to build and they worked together to blessed the ministry. There was an open door of provision and great favor evidenced when a Building Materials Shop Owner offered the Bishop all the building supplies he needed to build and just to pay him back little by little. It was now time to begin building.
In April 1983 construction was started on the new facility. It was there that one of the many gifts God has bless Bishop Henri- with was greatly utilized. Present with his anointing to preach and teach are his skills in building. When situations became challenging, full of tests and trials, Bishop followed the leading of God to see to it that the building project was completed. It was a tenacity of a young man that furnished, built stairs, put in doors, built pulpits and put up sheetrock within this new edifice. Christian fellowship was also a part of this great work, hence a recreational hall was part of the building plans. God strengthened the hearts of His people and they rallied to the task which was set before them and finished the work. We are enjoying the fruits of this labor of faith of the men and women of God joined with Bishop Henri-Mundle.
When the time came to furnish the sanctuary with proper seating God's hand was outstretched to provide. An auction was being held and a church was auctioning their pews. Many Congregational Leaders were present and wanted a few pews. However, there was an auction stipulation that all the pews had to be taken and they were not to be divided up. There was only one congregation present that wanted all the pews and could fit all the pews in their sanctuary. That congregation was represented by Bishop Henri-Mundle and he won the auction. The pews fit into the sanctuary as if they were designed for Tabernacle Church of God. God's mighty hand was at work, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
We had a thriving church during 1980's and after, however, we have had opposition. The wind of hell has blown and caused many challenges. We have lost many on the way and the intention was to weakened those who did remained. However, the Bishop encouraged those who remained with the scripture about Nehemiah. The ones who opposed Nehemiah's rebuilding efforts in the Bible were Sanballat, Tobiah and their companions. When they mocked God's people, Nehemiah responded and said "the God of heaven He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build:," (Nehemiah 2:20) both temporal and spiritual. After this encouragement the members who remained at Tabernacle Church of God, were very faithful to God and His church. Today we would like to report that metaphorically, the ship is still sailing and continually taking on new passengers with commitment. God be the Glory.
We were able to move into and to dedicate the newly completed sanctuary on April 12, 1987. We were nine years in building and can truly say, “Hitherto Hath the Lord Helped us, there hath not failed one word of all His promise." (1Kings 8:56, 1 Samuel 7:12)
During the building process Tabernacle Full Gospel Church, Inc. located at 853 East 221 Street in The Bronx, New York, began to fellowship with “Church of God, Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc., located at 437 Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1986. Then in 1988 the late and Evangelist Iris Shaw, who was the Presiding Pastor of the Church of God, Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc., expressed strong desire to Bishop E. Henri-Mundle to establish official affiliation with “Tabernacle Full Gospel Church, Inc”. After faithful discussions Bishop E. Henri- and the officers of Tabernacle Full Gospel Church, Inc., met with the late Pastor Iris Shaw and the officers of the Church of God Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc. in Toronto, Canada on February 25, 1989. During the meeting both sides agreed to merge to become one ministry. The late Evangelist Iris Shaw who began this affiliation, was a great woman of God who is missed. Then in later years Bishop E. Henri-Mundle called the Board of Directors of both assemblies together and motioned that in order to make a more meaningful and lasting fellowship, to consider operation under the same name.
It was unanimously agreed upon by all parties that this change would be in the best interest of the organization. Therefore in April the name of "Tabernacle Full Gospel Church, Inc." was changed to "Tabernacle Church of God, and Ground of the Truth, Inc." We began with six churches in affiliation and now presently, there are three strong churches spanning across two continents. In the U.S.A., and England. As the years go by we are determined through the power and grace of God to open wherever the Lord directs. Our aim is for the building up of God's kingdom and for the “Tabernacle Church of God, and Ground of the Truth” to .
In 2008 Evangelist Lurline Henri- went home to be with the Lord, a great woman of God. After a period of the Lord saw that His servant was lonely and considered him another time. In October 2012 Bishop Henri-Mundle married Minister Angela Henri Mundle, a dynamic woman of God, to stand with him in the ministry, holding hand in hand. To God be the glory as Ruth said, "Intreat me not to leave thee, nor to follow after thee:," (Ruth 111:1:16
We thank God for His faithfulness towards the people of Tabernacle, and we honor Him for blessing us with a his wonderful continues to guide us with a steady hand, a compassionate heart, and who continues to feed us with the rich and transforming word of God. To God Be the Glory!