In May of 1990, God moved upon the hearts of several Christian brothers and sisters to pray about and discuss the possibility of organizing a new church in the West Palm Beach area, which would focus its mission on sound doctrinal beliefs and effective practical application of the same according to the word of God. Subsequently, the group invited two local ministers, Brother Allen L. McClinton and Brother Leonard D. Perryman to serve as the spiritual leaders and organizers of this new work.
After several weeks of prayer and fasting, the ministers revealed what the Lord had laid upon their hearts as the vision for the ministry: “Vision: The Key to Keeping the charge”, which was approved by the other brothers and sisters and published in the initial ministry newsletter, The Evangelist which was mailed to over 100 prospective members, many of whom were contacted by the witnessing efforts of Brothers McClinton and Perryman.
The church held its first official meeting which was a Wednesday Night Bible Study held, July 22, 1990 at the Roosevelt Junior High Community School in West Palm Beach. On Sunday July 26, 1990, the church held its first worship service at the Ramada Inn (formerly the Palm hotel) of West Palm Beach with over 35 people in attendance, five added to the membership and an offering in excess of 4800.00 was collected. The message of the day which was presented by Rev. Perryman, was entitled: Christ; the head of the Church, based on Colossians 1:1-8.
The church held its first business meeting on September 26, 1990 and on that date adopted a constitution and by-laws and called Rev. Allen McClinton and Rev Leonard Perryman as co-pastors. In the April 3, 1991 business meeting, the church agreed to official seek acceptance into the fellowship of the Palm Lake Baptist Association. Rev. Perryman was led to relocate his family to Atlanta, Georgia, and plant a new ministry. Rev. McClinton became the Senior Pastor.
The Key to Keeping The Charge
Today, many Christians and non-Christians alike have asked the question: What is the role of the church in the twentieth century? To answer this question, we must first realize that since the time that our Lord Jesus left earth giving His disciples the great commission, the task and goal of every Christian believer has not changed. To be effective Christians, we must never alter the truth of God’s word, but we must use every resource and medium to reach a lost world for Christ. Charles Wesley understood this in his days, when in 1762 he wrote:
A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky!
Considering the charge, after prayer, fasting and study of the Holy Scriptures, God has given a vision to this band of Christians, led by Rev. Allen McClinton to Christ Evangelical Church. I praise God and continue in prayer as I seek to minister above the level of complacency and mediocrity. I echo then the words of Charles Wesley as my constant prayer:
To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill; O may it all my powers engage, To do the master’s will!
To serve this present age is my calling. And to serve effectively takes Christians who are faithful, obedient, and those who have a vision. Having a vision will make a difference in your life. The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is) no vision, the people perish…” I have a vision and I invite you to come and share with me; to join me, to help me realize the vision God has given through His word!
CEBC Mission Statement:
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. (Eph. 4:12)
CEBC Goals:
Equipping the saints. Evangelize the sinner. Exalt the Savior.
CEBC Vision:
A Word-Centered Church
A Worshipping Church
A Warm-Hearted Church
A Willing-Workers Church
A Witnessing Church
A Praying Church
Allen McClinton began serving as Senior Pastor of CEBC in June 1990. His desire is to build a church that is passionate about seeing lives changed as people come to know Jesus Christ and grow in their relationship with him. His philosophy of ministry is based on the foundational principles that biblical teaching is critical to the spiritual life and health of the church and that ministry without prayer will have little eternal significance.
Nathaniel Boatwright has served as the Associate Pastor of CEBC since July 1991. His passion for preaching comes out of his belief that relevant, Christ-centered teaching promotes spiritual growth and points people to Christ. He focuses on expository preaching, verse-by-verse teaching through books of the Bible, that ensures believers get the whole counsel of God and not just certain topics out of balance.
Thomas Hall began serving at CEBC in the fall of 2000. He is obsessed with the gospel of Jesus and longs to see people transformed by its salvation-assuring, heart-renewing, mission-inducing power. He has a heart for the youth and his desire is to help the youth cultivate an undying love for Jesus Christ, a passion for God’s Word, and an eagerness to serve others.
Darin began serving as minister at CEBC in the spring of 2014. He has a strong passion for evangelism and outreach, which is evident in his interaction with the world around him. He is obsessed with the gospel of Jesus and longs to see people transformed by its salvation-assuring, heart-renewing, mission-inducing power. Darin also teaches our bible study class on Wednesday night.
