The History of Powerhouse

Motto: "Where the captives are set free"

1981 – 1983
After turning over the church in North Carolina to Apostle Lonnie Sessoms, Bishop and Dr. Napper moved to Fort Wainwright, Alaska. After six months, Bishop and Dr. Napper were pastoring. The Lord blessed, moved, and demonstrated His glory amongst the saints; many souls were brought into the Kingdom. The church grew and prospered.

1983 – 1986
On February 29, 1984, The Powerhouse of Deliverance Church, Inc. began with prayer and bible study every Tuesday night at 158 Sandy Hill Trailer Park in Hinesville, GA. The Lord moved and the Word of God brought deliverance to many souls that were under bondage and sin. The spirit of God filled the room more and more. The Lord spoke to Bishop Napper to find a building for the people of God to worship in. As the saints of God joined him in much prayer and fasting, the Lord heard their cry and answered their prayers. God blessed and provided a building at 307 Welborn Street, Hinesville, GA. The first service was held in that building on October 1, 1984 and ever since that day God has been moving and pouring out His spirit. Again souls were saved, healed, delivered, and added to the body of Christ.

1986 – 1988
As the church continued to grow and prosper, the Lord inspired Bishop Napper to start the church’s First Vacation Bible School conducted on June 23 – 27, 1986. In response to a growing outreach ministry, the Lord blessed the church with a 60-passenger bus to transport souls from surrounding communities to the house of worship. During this time, God was further revealing His plan to Bishop Napper: a plan that called for him to go to Korea for one year to advance the kingdom of God there. Bishop and Dr. Napper sanctioned much prayer and fasting for God's divine will for them and the church. God revealed the plan; Bishop Napper was to serve Him in Korea from July 1986 to July 1987 and Dr. Napper was to be ordained an Elder and pastor the church during that period. Under her anointed leadership, souls were added to the church and it continued to prosper. Dr. Napper and the Hinesville congregation, along with Bishop Napper from Korea, began to seek the Lord for a larger place of worship. The Lord heard the cry of His people. On June 6, 1987, Dr. Napper conducted the groundbreaking service at the present church site on Highway 119/Airport Road in early December 1978. Praise be to God! The saints of Powerhouse of Deliverance Church, Inc. dedicated the new cathedral to God through dedication services conducted July 29 – August 7, 1988. In response to Bishop Napper’s desire to proclaim the gospel to dying souls, the Lord made another avenue available to spread the gospel. On October 30, 1988, the first broadcast of the “Hour of Power” was aired.

1988 – 1992
As the outreach ministry continued to grow, the Lord blessed the church with a 66-passenger bus, a 15-passenger van and a 9-passenger van to continue to reach out and transport souls from surrounding communities to the house of worship. The Lord also continued to prove Himself and pour out His blessings upon the ministry by giving a double portion in 1992 with the Grand Opening of the Powerhouse Christian Bookstore and its very own Christian Radio Station, WGML AM 99 – With God’s Mighty Love.

Yes, over and over again, the Lord proved himself by signs and wonders as His word has declared; through revivals, shut-ins, prayer, and soul outreach. As always, He has built this church upon a rock and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. As the scriptures have promised, “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be my witness saith the Lord!”

1992 – 1996
God blessed again with a 1996 33-passenger cruise liner bus, which is used for the church outreach. The same year, God blessed the church to be remodeled.

1996 – 2009
Look at God; He blessed the church with a 1997 45-passenger cruise liner, known as the Big Eagle. Many young people came to Christ that year, and the Prayer, Soul & Outreach was made stronger. Bishop and Dr. Napper are leaders after God’s own heart and have caused many sons and daughters to grow up to be pastors, apostles, preachers and teachers. Many of you who read this can say Amen! Sometimes the opportunity arises to acknowledge the contribution of an individual. Well, today the Powerhouse family and supporters acknowledge that the opportunity has come and now is the time to put into words the various contributions of Bishop Raymond Napper and Dr. Mary Napper for 33 years they have unselfishly given their time, energy and finance to the betterment of our community. Thus, it is time to acknowledge them for their unselfish contribution. Bishop Napper is the founder of the City’s Super Church for underprivileged children, Young and Successful, a work/study program for ages 13 – 17, an all-day summer camp program. Bishop holds membership to the pastor advisory council, NAACP – Life Gold Member and a board member of the ‘Save our Children’. He is known as the Holy Ghost Cowboy.

Dr. Napper holds a Doctorate degree in Pastoral care and Christian education and Biblical studies. Dr. Napper is a pastor’s dream financial manager and administrator, Director of the church Prayer, Soul, and Outreach Ministry.

Today, under the divine leading of God and the leadership of Bishop Raymond Napper and Dr. Mary Napper, the Powerhouse of Deliverance Church, Inc. has spread throughout the world and continues to lift God up so that souls may be drawn to Him by the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.