GARDEN OF PRAYER TEMPLE

In the year of our Lord 1952, the Lord placed upon the heart of our pastor, Elder Levi Willis, Sr., to go to a section of Norfolk, Virginia called Oakwood. He began a prayer meeting in a room in the home of Mrs. Beulah Taylor, who graciously opened her doors. After a short time, God blessed them until it was necessary to seek larger quarters.

They moved to the second location on Johnston Road, also in Oakwood, where they worshipped for approximately one year before God blessed them with even larger quarters, prompting their move to the third location on the same street.

In the year of our Lord 1954, “The Garden of Prayer,” so named by Mrs. Hortense Willis, Wife of the pastor, merged with the St. Mary Church of God in Christ on F Avenue in Oakwood, and the Lord saved and blessed in a mighty way.

In the year of our Lord 1957, the Lord again placed on our pastor’s heart the need for a larger house of worship. Due to the addition of many souls to the Church, another church was purchased at 710 Park Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia. Through the fame of the upper room services, street evangelism, dynamic radio and TV broadcast service ministries, and other ministries, the church grew mightily.

Another location was purchased on 26th Street in Norfolk, Virginia, with one block of property pastured by Bishop Willis. God’s continual blessings prevailed; after souls were nurtured, delivered, saved, and blessed, the congregation had a need to relocate again, prompting yet another move.

In the year of our Lord 1969, another door was opened to the glory of God. A beautiful and more enormous edifice was established at 812 Washington Street in Portsmouth, Virginia. This was a result of 29 years of great church revivals, tent revivals, fellowship days, and crusades, during which the church flourished, and the Lord prepared them for another great move. God provided for their eighth location.

After many years of purchasing and establishing many other churches in the Tidewater area and other places in Virginia, Bishop Willis’ heart desired to build a magnificent place of worship. This was not only for the local congregation but also for the home of “The International Crusade for Christ Ministry” and headquarters for the “Virginia Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Churches of God in Christ,” of which he is founder and presiding prelate. In his heart, it was more important to build not in the suburbs but here in this location, where he saw a great need and opportunity to reach out to their sisters and brothers. Remembering when he walked these same streets without Christ, wretched and undone, he sought to bring a message of hope and salvation. God brought this desire to fruition in 1996. Today we see the crowning honor of the vision and labor of a great man of God, his companion, and wife, Mother Hortense Willis, who worked many untiring days and nights, along with the saints, friends, former members, and present members whose stories have yet to be fully told. We celebrate and witness the great things God has done.

On February 20, 2009, God called Bishop Levi E. Willis Sr. home. His work was done here on this Earth, and God had another plan for His people. After the demise of Bishop Levi E. Willis Sr., Bishop Levi E. Willis II took the reins and became pastor and subsequently consecrated on November 8, 2009, as prelate of the Virginia Third Jurisdiction. On October 2, 2022, Bishop Levi E. Willis II retired and named Administrative Assistant Jonathan G. Willis as pastor of the Garden of Prayer. On January 13, 2023, God called our beloved Bishop Levi E. Willis II home to his reward. Administrative Assistant Jonathan G. Willis was subsequently consecrated on November 11, 2023, as prelate of the Virginia Third Jurisdiction.

As of the year 2024, we have been established in our current location for a span exceeding 25 years, marking a significant milestone in our community's journey. Throughout this time, our congregation has flourished, and our bonds have deepened within these cherished walls. Now, as we look ahead with anticipation and excitement, we are preparing for a transformative chapter in our church's story: a comprehensive remodel. This renovation represents not only a physical transformation of our building but also a renewal of our commitment to our mission and to serving our community with even greater purpose.

Bishop Jonathan Willis stands on the mantra that we are a City of Builders: Pursuing God,

Changing Lives as we continue the work...