THE TRANSFORMATION

From DHT (Divine Healing Temple Missionary Baptist Church)

To KVIC (Kingdom Vision International Church)

Divine Healing Temple was born in November 1995 out of the vision of Pastor Gus Walker.  The worshippers were small in number and held their services at Christ M. B. Church.  In January 1996, the congregation, in a leap of faith, purchased its own church home at 3193 Hwy. 69 South, Columbus, MS. 

In July 2002, Pastor Walker suffered an almost fatal accident on his way to visit family in Louisiana.  He never fully recovered from his injuries and is presently undergoing medical treatment in Chicago, IL.  It was always his wish to pass on the torch to his son in ministry, Elder R. J. Matthews and he informed the congregation of his wishes before he journeyed to Chicago.  Elder Matthews was contacted by the officers of the church and asked if he would return home to act as the interim pastor of Divine Healing Temple.

Led by the Holy Spirit, Elder Matthews accepted the offer to come home.  A devout believer in prayer, he asked that the church to start praying even before he came back.  Thus, was born our Intercessory Prayer Ministry.    On October 7, 2007, Elder Matthews became the Interim Pastor of Divine Healing Temple and so began the transformation.

Our ministerial staff (making disciples) has grown from a total of 6 beginning Oct. 7, 2007 to over 30 as of today which includes 6 Elders ordained on Dec. 28, 2008, ministers who were re-licensed, ministers in apprenticeship and ministers in training.

Our ministries are being multiplied: Leaders in various areas-from family life which includes the opening of a nursery ministry in Jan. 2008 to Outreach, Women's, ALIVE Youth Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Children’s Church, Creativity & Drama Ministry, and so many more. We have had 2 fall festivals and two community-wide block parties.  Our Witness Weekend ’09 Block Party was held at Lee Middle School on May 31, 2009 and drew hundreds of participants.  

Believers are increasing in numbers.  The hunger for the Word is shown by services overflowing in attendance to where another morning service was added in Oct. 2008 with an increase in Bible Study attendance, Sunday School attendance, and the addition of other services such Intercessory Prayer, First Friday Night Prayer and Midnight Prayer.  Our membership has increased by 461 new members from October 14, 2007 to July 19, 2009 bring our church family to 535.  Our attendance has increased so much that our Sunday morning service was moved to Lee Middle School to accommodate the worshippers.  Our first service at Lee Middle School was on Resurrection Sunday, April 12, 2009 with an attendance of 649 including 106 1st time visitors.  26 new members were also added to our church family during this service. 

We still continue to have our Tuesday night Bible Study at the Highway 69 location and an awesome outpouring of the Holy Spirit is drawing more and more workers into the Kingdom.  Pastor Matthews envisioned a ‘Great Baptizing’ and on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, a total of 122 believers were baptized and re-baptized coming out of the water renewed!