Listen as Our Leaders Tell The Powerful History of the Ministry
“Where we’ve been”
Like Joshua fearlessly led God’s people into unchartered territories, Apostle and Sis. John W. Horne, Jr. courageously lead Austin and San Antonio Restoration Temple churches into new areas in God. RestorationTemple of Deliverance is a life-changing ministry that has greatly impacted the lives of many throughout Central Texas . Never compromising in their stance for Jesus Christ, R.T.O.D. boldly preaches the Full Gospel, raising the standard high for all to see. In order to appreciate where the ministry is today, we must reflect on how it all began.
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The Call
In January of 1976, Elder Horne and I were saved at Full Gospel Holy Temple Church in Fort Worth, TX. Under the leadership of Pastor A.W. and First Lady Pearline Holland, a strong foundation was built upon the Word of God. After 10 years of being faithful members of the Fort Worth Church, Elder Horne received the pastoral calling. As a praying man with a great respect for leadership, he consulted the wisdom of Elder Holland and Apostle Lobias Murray, Founder and Overseer of Full Gospel Holy Temple Church, Inc. Upon receiving approval and instruction to obey the will of God, the first of many trips to Austin began.
At this time, Apostle John W. Horne hadn’t revealed God’s will to his family. For Elder Horne, the trips to Austin were acts of obedience, but to the rest of the family these were only family trips. When Elder Horne did share the vision with me, there was an element of great surprise. I had known that there was a calling on his life, but I had no idea that it would be that of a pastor. I knew that in this type of calling that trials, tests, and more tests could be expected. As a wife, I did not want to get in God’s way, so I humbly decided that if God said it, I would believe it.
Elder Horne and Jamon, our oldest son, went to Austin in search of a building that would serve as a place of worship. What they found was a dirty L-shaped building that was brown on the inside and out. In spite of its appearance, Elder Horne looked through the eyes of faith and said it would work. The trips from Fort Worth to Austin became more frequent as we diligently worked to make the building a suitable place of worship. Our sons Jamon, Jeremy, and John watched the family’s belongings while we were inside the building; for the church was between two of the most sinful streets in Austin; some people did not know what was theirs and what was not. After much tedious work and help from the brothers from Fort Worth, the dirty L-shaped building had been transformed into a sanctuary. Elder Horne added the final touches of three gold crosses to the front of the building and a sign that read “Full Gospel Holy Temple Church”
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The Chicon Church
On a Saturday night in June of 1985, the church doors opened at 1157 Chicon Street. Since our family was the only members at this point, it was up to us to perform all the church duties. Jeremy and John worked hard as ushers, as they passed out fans and showed the visitors from Fort Worth to their seats. Because the water jug was so small the boys had to constantly fill it up; yet, God poured out His spirit of approval in a supernatural way. Not all the people that came to the first service were from Fort Worth. Sister Ockletree was also present and is still in the ministry today. Her husband, Superintendent Forrest Ockletree came a week later. In every service, God brought in other people who were hungry for the word of God.
Our family still resided in Fort Worth, so services were held on Saturday nights, Sunday mornings, and Sunday nights. The trips to Austin became routine. We would return to Fort Worth late Sunday night, usually between 1:00 am and 3:00 am. With little time for rest, Elder Horne and the boys had to go to work and school the next morning, and I prepared for the children to arrive at our in home day care. God always sustained us. The church continued to grow providing enough children to start Sunday School and Bible Class.
After almost one year of commuting, God declared that it was time to make Austin our home because the work of the Lord had to go on 7 days a week and 24 hours a day, not just on weekends. Now faced with this necessary transition, I prayed to God, “Lord you must bless us like you did Sarah and Abraham when they left their families.†Leaving all behind, our family left Fort Worth at the end of 1986.
The birth of several outreach ministries took place in the latter half of 1986 -including the Nursing Home, Van, and Tape Ministries. Many souls were saved and delivered, and God’s presence could always be felt. As the church continued to grow, the need for a larger facility was apparent. After 2 and a half years, the search for a new building began.
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The Rosewood Church
On January 1, 1988 , the first service was conducted at 2334 Rosewood Avenue . The ministry erupted faster than expected. God added singles, children, and families to the church and new outreach ministries developed — Jail Ministry and publication of the first newsletter. Brotherhood and children’s choirs were organized and after only four years in the city, the Gospel of Deliverance was televised.
As time went on, the natural elements wrecked havoc on the building. When it rained, buckets were dispelled throughout the sanctuary to catch the leaking rain, and many areas were mildewed. Apostle John W. Horne held to the vision, and God poured out His blessings on the congregation. Searching for a new building was not an easy endeavor; but through constant prayer and fasting, God came through and opened a door that no man could close.
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The Gillis Church
In 1992, the ministry relocated to 4312 Gillis. It continued to be a place of deliverance, refuge, and strength for those desiring to make Heaven their home. Apostle John W. Horne never ceased from preaching the Full Gospel and God continued to add more souls to the church. With a deep yearning for the more of God, Pastor untiringly challenged himself and others to seek God so that they could do the greater works that Jesus commanded. Inspired by his unquenchable thirst for more of God, Pastor drew from his own experiences and released his first book entitled This is My Story in 2000.
Refusing to be confined to the church walls, F.G.H.T. constantly searched for new avenues to reach the people. In 2000, we created a helping hands ministry called Austin We Care that annually provides food, clothing, shoes, and toys to families in need. F.G.H.T. is willing to do whatever it takes to let people know that Jesus saves.
The San Antonio Church
Apostle John W. Horne is always looking for more opportunities to spread the Gospel of deliverance. His desire to see more souls saved led him to venture out into the city of San Antonio, Texas. In July 2003, Full Gospel Holy Temple of San Antonio was born on 904 Nolan Street. Even in the first service, God sent people who were hungry for the word of God, and He never ceased to move in each service thereafter. In March 2005, God opened the door for the ministry to purchase and renovate a bigger building located at 255 Hobart. God has truly smiled upon the ministry in San Antonio, and He continues to bring in more souls.
