Church History

One November 26, 2003, “Essence of the Cross Ministries” was launched in Monroe, NC with the help of eight souls committed to this vision. The first worship service was held on December 14, 2003 and 40 souls dedicated their lives to this cause. The worship and cell group services were full of the Holy Ghost and a passion  was continually stirred for the lost. God moved, during those early days and continues to move now, in a tremendous way as the Word is ministered with “signs following” (Mark 16:20). We know from the book of Acts that the Holy Spirit came and gave the gatherers dunamis or power from on high. However, power was not the foundation of the church: it was the hammer to build with and we are dedicated and committed to build. Jesus Christ is the foundation and cornerstone of this ministry.

In the Summer of 2003, three other churches – Gastonia and Raleigh, NC and one in Detroit – were established. In 2008, Agape Eagles International Fellowship, Atlanta, GA joined our network. As an apostolic brick mason, Dr. Kaye McDonald, Senior Pastor has given foundational input and a prophetic voice to bring God’s inspiration to each individual church, using care to acknowledge exactly where the Cornerstone (Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior) should be placed. She has a covenant relationship with these churches to cover them in prayer and to father (mother) their inception and development. “Dr. Kaye” is covered in ministry by Bishop Eugene Smith of Better Covenant Ministry, Detroit, MI.

Mission:

To bring the Gospel to meet all aspects of man, using methods applicable to his lifestyle and situation, and to begin to bring God’s refreshing and healing to His people as He moves them into their predestined callings. Our intent is to serve The Lord in this region in the things of God (Matt. 28:19-21). What we have freely received from God, that shall we freely give (Matt 10:8). 

Vision: “TO WIN THE LOST”

We embrace the very vision of the Lord of the Harvest; that workers be sent into His harvest field. We believe Essence will produce those workers. The Lord Jesus commanded us to lift up our eyes and look on the ripe fields. He also directed us to ask for workers to go into the fields. Our endeavor is to preach, teach and disciple the unsaved, unchurched, or untrained.

Ephesians 2:20 we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.