History of the Beginning

 

The FoundersBishop James A. Finney, Bishop Alfonail Hale, Bishop Darnell Wiggs.Here a little, there a little, line upon line, precept upon precept. It’s the way God does things in his work. For the word says that we are workers together with Him in the vineyard.God brings members together as He sees fit.August 1964 Elder Alfonail Hale of Akron, Ohio relocated to Detroit, Michigan in search of employment. While fellowshipping with Apostle Charles O. Miles in Ecorse, Michigan and Pastor Charles Chalk in Detroit, he was inspired to join with Pastor Chalk in October of that same year. Evangelist James Finney also relocated to Detroit and joining Pastor Chalk, where the Hale’s and Finney’s met and befriended each other. Since that time there has grown a great love and Fellowship between the two families.After a year Evangelist Finney was inspired to return to Philadelphia and start a work. March 1966 Elder Hale returned to Akron, Ohio to help take care of his ailing parents, but the friendship and work continued between the Hale’s and the Finney’s.During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the Lord saw fit to add more to the work. Many came and many left yet the work remained. Elder James Finney later being elevated to the office of Bishop continued the work until his evangelistic friend Elder Darnell Wiggs and family came to work. In 1979 Elder James O’ Hannon and family came to the work, along with others such as Bishop George Owens in 1982. Elder Edward Baker, Apostle P. Jonathan Porterfield, and many others which had been added to the work.During the ordination service in Akron, Ohio in May 1984, Elder Hale, and Elder O’Hannon was elevated to the Bishopric.Although a humble beginning, the work still carries on. Bishop James A, Finney, was the first presider of Faith Tabernacle Church of Deliverance of the Apostolic Doctrine. He held the office until the Lord called him home. The second Presider was Bishop James O’Hannon of Philadelphia, PA. The third Presiding Prelate Bishop Willie Young of Albany, GA, and current Presiding Bishop L. Neal Smith of Akron, Ohio.