“It’s not where you start, but where you finish.†There are few people this phrase epitomizes better than Bishop David G. Evans. Coming from a troubled home, Evans’ life was the perfect recipe for a statistic. But God had a plan for this young man, and through a series of ordained events, Evans has now become one of the most powerful and notable preachers of the day. A frequent Trinity Broadcast Network host, Prelate of the Abundant Harvest Fellowship of Churches, Pastor of the 27,000-member Bethany Baptist Church, author of Healed Without Scars, and CEO of David G. Evans Ministries, which produces the Dominion T.V. Broadcast worldwide (including on StreamingFaith.com); Dominion Radio Ministries and OnPoint, a live call-in radio talk show, Bishop David G. Evans has set out to change the world and offer the same deliverance he received, through Jesus Christ.
As a youngster, Evans grew up in Philadelphia in a home with a mother who was a Christian and a father who was an alcoholic. “Fortunately, I had a very strong grandfather,†says Evans. “He was a strong example of a man in my life. I emulated him.†With the encouragement of his grandfather, he graduated from Lincoln University in 1973 with degrees in economics and education and pursued employment in the corporate world. Shortly thereafter, in September 1976, he accepted Christ into his life and found himself called into the five-fold ministry. He also was active in the gospel music industry as a partner of Sweet Rain Records with an artist roster of hitmakers such as Hezekiah Walker, The Wilmington Chester Mass Choir, Bruce Parham and the Southeast Inspirational Choir. He accepted his calling and the mandate to “pastor and grow the Church†and was licensed in the ministry by Reverend H.R. Lusk of Greater Exodus Church in Philadelphia, PA, eventually being ordained by the Bethany Association in 1989.
Called by God to develop a multicultural congregation of believers, Bishop Evans accepted the pastorate of Bethany Baptist Church in Lindenwold, NJ, with 29 members in 1990. Today, more than 27,000 men, women, and children attend Bethany. When asked about the secret to the church’s growth, Evans says that it’s actually no secret at all. “Evangelism is the purpose of the church,†explains the Bishop. “That combined with a very strong healing and deliverance ministry and a tremendous economical development tool has been a big part of the miraculous growth of the church.â€
In 1993, Bishop Evans followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and created Generations, Inc., a nonprofit community development corporation. Under the leadership of Bishop Evans, who serves as chairman of the board of directors, Generations, Inc., has taken steps to address the needs of southern New Jersey residents through economic development and a broad range of human services.
Then, in 1996, Bishop Evans was ordained as bishop and presiding officer of the Abundant Harvest Fellowship of Churches, an international fellowship with more than 175 churches in the United States, Africa, and India. In addition, Bishop Evans is a HUD YouthBuild USA partner for South Jersey, a Fannie Mae advisory board member, the chairman of the National Home Owner Initiative, and the originator of Harvest Transitional Homes for Women. He also spearheaded the South Jersey Foster Care Provider Program.
Stemming from Bishop Evans’ many roles as a ministry and civic leader, building projects in progress include Harvest Senior Housing, Harvest Recreation Center, and Next Generation Medical Center. The church has implemented ministry outreaches that are impacting the region, country, and even the world. With a goal of economic empowerment for church members, the church has instituted perhaps the largest faith-based mortgage lending institution in the country, licensed in all 50 states.
Through David G. Evans Ministries, Bishop Evans produces the Dominion television program (broadcast distributed by cable and satellite), and OnPointe, a live call-in radio talk show (WFIL- 560 AM).
In 2005, Evans released the critically-acclaimed book, Healed Without Scars. Selling over 400,000 copies and making him the best-selling author in Whitaker House history, Healed Without Scars is a dynamic and practical book for those experiencing pain, loss, rejection and brokenness. Taking the lessons he’s learned from his own life, Evans provides encouragement and deliverance through the pages of the revelatory and deeply intimate writing. Abundant Harvest Entertainment, the church’s record label followed up the book with a CD and DVD of the same name with songs of healing and wholeness.
Bishop David G. Evans is passionate about serving Christ and leading others to Him. He’s also passionate about God’s people no longer walking in brokenness. “I realized that one of the biggest tricks of the enemy is telling people is that they can manage success fully while being horribly fractured,†says Evans. “God wants us whole. Whole people manage promise better than fractured people.†Through his preaching, writing and music, this anointed and gifted teacher, preacher, and leader, seeks to make all God’s people whole and healed.
Money Is My Friend - Bishop David G. Evans
Megachurch Started Small
From The Courier Post - July 29, 2007
At first, George Marchman was hesitant about making the trek every Sunday from his home in Folcroft, Pa., to South Jersey just to attend church. But his wife, Mary, convinced him that it was worth the drive.
"I was going to a church that just wasn't providing what I needed for my family," said Marchman, who is a member of Bethany Baptist Church here. "And once I got inside (Bethany) I just knew I had to join the church. I knew this is where my family and I belonged."
Every Sunday, Marchman joins 26,000 other congregants in one of the fastest-growing churches in South Jersey. At a time when denominations across the country are struggling to attract and retain worshippers, people are flocking to mega-churches such as Bethany to experience a more modern expression of Christianity, experts say.
In a remarkably short time, Bethany's approach to ministry has transcended race, culture and class through the world of television broadcasting, joining a host of other shows on the Trinity Broadcasting Network in recent years. Today, Bethany's Sunday services are viewed in more than 100 countries and are among the most requested services on the Black Entertainment Television channel.
Bethany's transformation from a small entity to one of the largest mega-churches in the Northeast began more than a decade ago with the arrival of the Rev. David G. Evans, 55, who is celebrating his 17th anniversary with the congregation this month.
For the rest of the article, check the blog entitled "MegaChurch Started Small".