The Church of God of East New York started as a prayer meeting in 1930 in the East New York Section of Brooklyn NY. The prior Church facility located at 913 Sutter Ave, was formerly a food catering business that served the people of this community, dishing out natural food prior to the Church purchasing it. Today, it still serves as a place of nourishment (soul food), as it serves the congregation as additional ministry space where Jesus is still Lord. The people in this community and congregation continue to come and find “Bread” in their newly dedicated facilities located next door at 905 Sutter Ave. Lives are transformed, renewed and restored through the power of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and the people of God. During the life span of the Church there has been uninterrupted pastoral leadership. There has only been seven pastors, of which the former Pastor (Rev. Lorena C Arch) and the current Pastor, Rev. Clifton McDowell, Sr. represent consistent pastoral leadership of more than 50 years.
The Church of God of East New York is both a neighborhood church and an amalgamation of people from different cultures and communities. People from throughout the United States, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, England and the Dominican Republic are some of the cultures represented in its membership.
In addition to its primary mission of teaching and reaching out to the community with the Word of God and providing discipleship training for its members, The Church of God of East New York has provided educational workshops in the community on issues such as Personal Finances, Insurance, Estate Planning, Family & Marriage Issues, Funeral Arrangements, College & Careers, Manhood Training for boys, Health fairs, Back to School block parties and community carnivals, to name a few. The congregation is committed to sharing the love of God with the community and the City. The church views its surrounding community as Its Jerusalem and B.L.O.C.K. (Boldly Loving Our Community with Kindness) is part of the ministries R.E.A.C.H & L.I.F.T. strategy to help people discover the will of God for their lives.
April 2020 marked the 39th year that Reverend Clifton McDowell & Lady Deborah McDowell have served as Senior Pastor and First Lady of this congregation. This year also marks Pastor McDowell’s 41st year in public ministry which began when he was faithful to follow the call of God on his life. Whether leading or teaching his peers as a teenager, or traveling around the world sharing the gospel, Rev. Clifton McDowell is committed to teaching all people that they can have “an abundant life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” Together as a community of faith, God is helping us to be a lighthouse of hope to the community and the people in their lives. In April 2014, after a 7 year journey, of construction and fund raising, the new Sanctuary was dedicated. The 10 foot lighthouse cupola has been placed on top of the tower of the new building as a symbolic picture of the lighthouse God has called The Church of God of East New York to be. The success of the Church of God of East New York and the promise of future growth is a testimony of a Church that started from a “store front” with approximately 12 members and is now a growing congregation of over 250 men, women and children, who now call this church their home. While some wrote off and abandoned this East New York community when it was at its worst, the Church of God of East New York has and will continue to be a stabilizing force in the community they call their Jerusalem lifting Christ and Making Disciples.
