Christian Ministries of the Apostolic Faith Provides Faith & Focus: Giving You the Business
The business of providing faith and focus for life. This week Erie News Now takes you inside an Erie church to discover how it's connecting families and nurturing future business owners.
Just about every church has special touches that make it unique. And at Christian Ministries of the Apostolic Faith, this sanctuary is a foundation of fellowship.
"When we first started, we had probably 25 to 50 people come in, and now we're up to about 175 parishioners," said Frankie Quinn.
That was in 2011, and two locations ago. Now, Pastor Frankie Quinn oversees weekly services and Bible study inside 930 Liberty Street.
"The reason why we moved here is because we wanted to expand the ministry in the community, and we worked with this, which was the Jewish synagogue," said Quinn. "We worked with them, and they worked with us, and we were able to purchase this building."
The building is also home to several local businesses and a summer camp for children. During the school year, the New Horizons Early Learning Center, a preschool, is open as part of the ministry's Community Cornerstone Project.
This is the hub for the Achievers Entrepreneurs Hub Program. It's a 9-month program where entrepreneurs or new business owners can come not only to get support but also to network.
"Our success is in your success, through the network, through the teaching, the handholding, through even going to the banks, getting your business plan, your marketing," said Floyd Hull.
Aside from the efforts to help entrepreneurs, Floyd is keeping the legacy of his daughter alive with the Yoleena Hull Toy Drive.
"We try to give away toys the week of Christmas. Right now, we are in the process of getting donations. Anybody can donate for Yoleena's Toy Drive. You can go to any Key Bank," said Floyd.
Yoleena's death from leukemia at age 6 provides a gift to other local children.
Another avenue Christian Ministries of the Apostolic Faith is using to grow faithful and community connections.
The church is also starting an "Edge" program to help middle and high schoolers find their career path.