LUNCH WITH THE LORD
Every Wednesday 12:00 Noon
Pastor Strong
Wayland Bonnie Strong is the name that was given to me at the time of my birth. Growing up I remember resenting this unique and unusual name. And even asked why I wasn’t given a more common name like David or James? Or a more poetic name such as Derrick or Jordan like many of my friends. Where did this name come from? But through the years I have come to appreciate and even celebrate my name. And after signing it so many times it began to speak and even now speaks to me. It was God, my mother, somebody, everybody is trying to tell me something… Wayland B. Strong!
I am the love child of Fred and Sylvia Strong who were high school sweet hearts that met while singing in the church choir. Born in the heart of the city of Waukegan Illinois in the heat of a mid summer day on July 22nd 1959 at 11:14 am in St. Theresa Hospital. Some years later my parents left their fellowship with the Lord, as a result their marriage ended in divorced, which separated our family daddy went to Gary Indiana, and mama moved me and my sisters to Milwaukee WI.
I remember one night passing by a storefront and hearing the sounds of what I know now was worship; I was compelled to go in. There was only a family in there praising God. There in that sanctified church “Holy Sanctuary C.O.G.I.C.” which became my church home, I felt so much love the Pastor’s wife Mother Mae Lois Lewis especially blessed and impressed me. Many nights I would sneak out just to get to go there, it was right down the street from where we lived.
There in a hand clapping foot stomping service I notice a piano in the corner, I had never played before so I don’t know what made me think I could play, but I asked Mother Lewis if I could play that piano, even though I was 7 years old, I remember how she was so excited just at that thought. The anointing came upon me later to develop voices as I began to work with the choir.
That was the beginning of my music ministry over the years I have trained many musicians and singers at many churches. One church in particular the True Light Baptist Church the former Pastor hired me to train the choir, after two years of working with them I was given the charge to watch over those precious people. Thank God for True Light! Mainly Mo. Lucinda Payne the, Founder’s wife who was persistent and insistent that I be the next pastor I severed there for two years when in January 2007 I was released.
ONE ACCORD PRAYER CALL
It was through much prayer and waiting before the Lord that on Father’s Day 2007 in my home Elaine Prichard, Cheryl Bonner and Gwen Johnson met for food and fellowship there and then we unanimously agreed on the name “One Accord” and decided to meet on Wednesdays at noon for prayer and Bible discussion. We experienced much growth so we moved to Love Tabernacle Church for 8:00 am service. Ministering to the community in our outdoor services was more of a blessing to us as we took the grill and shared the bird then the word. Then a series of setbacks we held services in member’s homes, conference calls and outdoor services.
Many lives were changed, souls saved, bodies healed, demons cast out as we developed themes and sermons which include, “Enter the straight gate in 2008” “Keys to loose and bind in 2009”, “Sitting in heaven in 2011”, “Deeper we will delve in 2012”, “God’s glory shall be seen in 2013” Because of the double – double “God’s GLORY shall be seen in 2014!” “Glory is shifting into 2015!” "Glory in a new thing for 2016!" 2017 THE FINISHING ANOINTING!
Ministry motto “Get in the glory!” As we go from glory to glory our expectation is great!
March 2012 Chief Apostle Dr. Mark W. Webb a mighty man of God took One Accord under his umbrella of ministry at Faith Foundation Bishop Robert Bennett allowed Saturdays at 12 Noon
November 2013 Bishop W. J. Strong opened the doors of Greater New Bethel where we pressed into God’s presence Sundays 1:00 pm for our worship experience thankful for the opportunity to do ministry in the spirit of excellence as we are expecting even greater expressions and expansions.
January 2016 we moved to our current location 4369 Nth Teutonia Ave. the Lord promised to bring correction to my connection. Through the tremendous leadership of Apostle Rick Daniels there is an apostolic reformation move of God we have breached its core we are drawing from its creative center, we will stay the course we will suffer well we will press towards the finish.
Join us as we move forward and continue to praise Him hard and lifting Him high while we aggressively advance the Kingdom. Worshiping and witnessing for the cause of the kingdom. In the words of a preacher friend, I am so excited that even my excited is excited!
Pastor / Wife
Perhaps the most important decision a pastor makes in his life and ministry is choosing the woman who will become his wife. Through my years of pastoring and leading churches, I have always found that a pastor and his ministry will not surpass his marital relationship in terms of healthy growth. If his marriage is healthy, his ministry has a much greater probability of being productive and effective. Conversely, if his marriage is unhealthy, his ministry will be extremely limited and affected greatly.
Wayland B and Lady Z married August 16 2014 With four adult children and seven grandchildren. We are partners, yes partners in marriage and in ministry. Partnership in marriage many understand, but partnership in ministry is becoming a unique quality for a pastor and his wife.
Copyright STRONG MINISTRIES
