The Holy Spirit of God breathed life into a body of believers at Graceland General Baptist church in June of 1976. This move of the Holy Spirit has and will always be the life’s blood of all of us who call ourselves The City of the Lord.

It all began in this fashion: Our former pastor, Rev. Jack Smith, and his wife, Sister Jo, as we all knew her, attended a revival held by Evangelist John Wesley Fletcher in Ottawa, IL. On a Saturday night in June, 1976. Rev. Smith, who was deaf in his one ear, went forward in the healing line to be prayed for. When Rev. Fletcher laid his hands upon him, he was slain in the Spirit and when he came to himself he had been baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. He had not sought the baptism, but the Holy Spirit had sought him out as a willing vessel. The next morning, being full of the Spirit, he testified from the pulpit of what happened to him the night before. The anointing was upon him and he called for those in need of a touch from God to come forward. An elderly couple came to the front. Her ankles were swollen so badly that she could hardly walk. Pastor Smith prayed and laid his hands upon her swollen ankles and immediately the swelling went down before everyone’s eyes. Members of the congregation came forward and after being prayed for, fell out in the Spirit. It was glorious and always is when the Spirit is moving. That day, however, a member of the General Baptist Council was present in the services. Since speaking in tongues was not accepted in the General Baptist Churches, Pastor Smith and his wife were asked for their resignation. At that time many of the members of the church were seeking a deeper walk with the Lord, and when the news came that our Pastor was asked to leave, we felt that we must go with him because the Holy Spirit was being poured out upon us also. Approximately forty people, counting children, left Graceland General Baptist Church. We felt like Abraham when God told him to go. We didn’t know where we were going, but we did know who our leader was. One of the families offered their basement for us to worship in until we could find a building. That same year, a church building became available on the corner of Orville and Vine in Granite city. Miraculously, the congregation that was there had built themselves a new church and were moved upon by the Spirit to sell us the building at a price we could afford. Our congregation worshipped in the annex as they worshipped in the church until they could move. The Lord supplied every need we had. With only that little handful of people, we were able to purchase a piano, songbooks, tables and chairs and everything that was needed. What a happy and glorious experience we had working together, sharing and doing what was required of the Holy Spirit for the work he was doing. We named our new family of believers Full Gospel Baptist Church because we wanted everyone to be aware that God would pour out his Spirit upon anyone who was thirsty, no matter where they attended church. The Lord added many thirsty souls to our congregation.

In July of 1982, Pastor Smith retired as pastor of Full Gospel Baptist Church. He and his wife bought a home and moved to Huntsville, IL. In that same year a young minister, Rev. Ronald Johnson had completed his four years in Bible college. As Full Gospel Baptist Church was crying out for a replacement for Pastor Smith, Rev. Johnson was crying out to the Holy Spirit for a place to minister. Rev. George Dougherty, who had given spiritual counsel to us when we began, informed Rev. Johnson of the opening for a pastorate. In September 1982, Rev. Ronald Johnson and his wife, Marsha, were voted in as the new Pastors of Full Gospel Baptist Church.

With our name being Full Gospel Baptist Church, many visitors came that were looking for a more traditional Baptist Church to attend. They were not ready for the moving of the Holy Spirit that we were enjoying, and took offense. It was decided, after a visiting evangelist called us Full Gospel Fellowship, that this would be a more appropriate name for our congregation. The name was then officially changed to Full Gospel Fellowship.

As the Lord continued to bless our fellowship we became aware that we had so many children and young people that we were running out of space for them. We first considered building a gym and fellowship hall adjacent to the church. As we were praying about this, an empty factory at 3950 Horseshoe Lake Road became available. As Pastor Johnson consulted with the owner about our purchasing the factory, the owner miraculously offered to finance the building himself. After much prayer, long hours of hard work and with the talents of many in the congregation, in January, 1996, we were finally able to move in. What had once been a dirty, greasy, abandoned factory became a beautiful sanctuary, fellowship hall, children’s church and prayer room.

In the summer of 2009 the Lord began dealing with Pastor Johnson concerning another name change for the church.  Just as God changed the name of Abram (which means "exalted father") to Abraham (which means "father of a multitude"), even so, Pastor Johnson felt the Lord was directing us to change Full Gospel Fellowship to "The City of the Lord." Using Psalm 46:4 as a reference, "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.  The holy dwelling place of the Most High." we are, and are becoming, a place of habitation for the most High (to God be the Glory!)  A place of healing, hope, deliverance, redemption, release...and rest.  A place where God meets with people, and people meet with Him.  A special place where Jesus is Lord. and with His Lordship...comes righteousness, peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Praise be to God our Father, His wonderful Son, and the Blessed Holy Spirit that led us, encouraged our hearts, and provided splendidly to help us become what we are this day. We are, and always will be…His. HOLY SPIRIT YOU ARE WELCOME IN THIS PLACE!