Church History

Many years have passed since the early morning commission that was given to Minister Dennis E. Huggins from the Lord to “go South.” Bishop Dennis E. Huggins Jr. received the Holy Spirit at First Apostolic Church of Inglewood on September 2, 1979. He was commissioned as a licensed minister by order of the World Won for Christ Ministries International in May 1984, in Inglewood, CA. Dr. Wayne S. Davis trained Pastor Dennis Huggins in the Gospel for five years before God commissioned him to move to Meridian, MS. Also Pastor Pearl Rice, his wife was very instrumental in his pastoral training. Pastor Pearl was ordained the Senior Pastor in 2008 and she holds the position of Overseer for Messiah’s Gospel Ministries.

Bishop Huggins founded the First Apostolic Church after obeying the Word of God that ordered him through the scripture “…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The church was opened on June 3, 1984 with only five official members, which has grown tremendously since inception. Bishop Huggins and Pastor Pearl had many ministries ordained from the First Apostolic Church.

In 1995, Bishop Huggins, through the leading of the Lord, relinquished his affiliation with parent organization and established the Messiah’s Gospel Ministries (MGM) using the scriptures Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61 as the foundation of MGM. He serves as Prelate and his wife serves as Overseer and Executive Administrator. In 2004, Pastor Pearl founded her own support group ministry, the Gates of Pearl Ministries, Inc. for women in ministry.

On Thanksgiving Day 2005, Bishop and Pastor Huggins moved their congregation into their new edifice, which was a vision that God had given Bishop. Together Bishop and his wife seek to reach a dying world for Jesus through preaching, teaching, and training men, women, and children in fulfilling the great commission. They have experienced many miracles in ministry and look forward to God’s Glory in the future.