WIN EQUIP TEACH TRAIN

serving the world around us

Identity & Purpose

Fifteenth Street is a vibrant, faith-based organization committed to transforming lives through the power of Jesus Christ. We believe everyone has a divine destiny—a unique purpose and calling designed by God. Our mission is to help people discover their destiny by fostering a genuine, life-altering connection with Christ through the unwavering truth of the Word.

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Evangelistic Mission

We are driven by a clear, biblical mandate to make disciples. This isn’t just a ministry; it’s a movement focused on intentional growth and spiritual multiplication.

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rooted in christ

Our mission is a comprehensive approach to faith development:
Win | Equip | Teach | Train   We engage in the work of the Kingdom by:

Winning Souls

We actively reach out to our community and beyond, sharing the Gospel with love and compassion, introducing individuals to a personal relationship with their Savior.

Equipping Souls

We provide the necessary spiritual tools, resources, and environment for new and seasoned believers to grow strong in their faith.

Teaching Souls

Through relevant and foundational Bible studies, sermons, and small groups, we ground believers in sound doctrine, helping them understand God's Word deeply.

Training Souls

We prepare and mobilize members to live out their faith boldly, empowering them to serve others, exercise their spiritual gifts, and effectively share the message of hope.

Winning Souls

We actively reach out to our community and beyond, sharing the Gospel with love and compassion, introducing individuals to a personal relationship with their Savior.

Equipping Souls

We provide the necessary spiritual tools, resources, and environment for new and seasoned believers to grow strong in their faith.

Teaching Souls

Through relevant and foundational Bible studies, sermons, and small groups, we ground believers in sound doctrine, helping them understand God's Word deeply.

Training Souls

We prepare and mobilize members to live out their faith boldly, empowering them to serve others, exercise their spiritual gifts, and effectively share the message of hope.

Our Calling: Disciples Making Disciples

The heart of Fifteenth Street is built upon the principle of multiplication. We are not just building a congregation; we are called to make disciples that will make disciples.

We envision a community where every believer is a minister, actively participating in the Great Commission—a continuous, powerful cycle of transformation that impacts families, neighborhoods, cities, and the world for God’s glory.

Join us as we pursue our divine destinies together and spread the message of Christ’s love and power!

Meet our leaders

Welcome to our online home! We are honored that you’ve taken a moment to visit. Our prayer is that as you explore this site, you feel the heart of our community and the transformative power of God’s Word.

As leaders of this ministry, our primary passion is to move beyond the walls of the church and answer the call Christ gave His first disciples: to become fishers of men. We believe every person has a “divine destiny” preordained by God, and our mission is to equip you with the spiritual tools and biblical truths to walk in that purpose.

Our ministry is focused on two core goals: (1) We aim to teach the Word in a way that empowers you to discover your unique identity and potential in Christ, and (2) We regard evangelism as more than an obligation; it is a way of life. Our goal is to equip every believer with the skills to share the Gospel effectively, spreading God’s love throughout our community and beyond, and leading others into a transformative relationship with Jesus. The heart of Fifteenth Street is built on the principle of multiplication. We are not just building a congregation; we are called to make disciples who make disciples. We envision a community where every believer is a minister, actively participating in the Great Commission—a continuous, powerful cycle of transformation that impacts families, neighborhoods, cities, and the world for God’s glory.

Whether you are seeking a spiritual home or direction for your life, we invite you to join us as we grow together in faith and action. Together, we can spread the message of Christ’s love and power!

Church History
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Bishop Wade H. Ferguson, III

Reverend Dr. Yolanda Ferguson

Community Connections

Community Kitchen – Serving Our Neighbors with Compassion

As part of our commitment to embodying Christ’s love through action, Fifteenth Street hosts a vital outreach initiative: the Community Kitchen Feeding Program serving hundreds weekly. This ministry is dedicated to serving hot, nutritious, and free lunches to those experiencing food insecurity or hardship within our local Charlotte community.

Taste of Strategy Outreach – Bringing community partners together to address the needs of our city. Serving together to Strengthen together.

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1975 - The Founding and Early Growth

In April, Reverend Dennis Johnson, Shirley Wilson, and a small group of young believers founded the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Church. They initially met in the home of Reverend Dennis and Jane Johnson as a weekly Bible study group. As attendance grew, they moved to an old warehouse at 1616 Clifford Place. The congregation was comprised mostly of members under 30 who conducted evangelistic efforts including preaching and witnessing outdoors on playgrounds and street corners in Charlotte's Westside.

Late 1970s - Early 1980s - A Season of Challenge and Seeking

The church experienced leadership challenges with the resignations of founder and former pastor Dennis Johnson and acting pastor Lewis Earls. Sister Wilson led the church in daily prayer and weekly fasting for guidance as the congregation debated remaining independent versus joining a larger religious denomination. During this period, they visited various denominational churches.

1982 - Divine Connection and Denominational Union

In the spring, the JIL congregation visited Central Church of God at Kilborne multiple times. In August, Shirley Belk Wilson and her husband Richard "Flip" Wilson met with Church of God Bishop Curtis Grey to discuss JIL joining the Church of God denomination. Bishop Grey and his wife Mary were missionaries on furlough from Liberia, Africa due to political uprising, and Bishop Grey was appointed to plant minority churches in North Carolina. He was introduced to Sister Wilson by Rev. Sammie Oxendine, an instructor at East Coast Bible College where Sister Wilson had graduated the previous year. On October 17, the JIL Evangelistic Church became the Cliffwood Church of God with Bishop Curtis Grey as pastor.

1982-1984 - Renovation and Perseverance

The church planned to renovate a former Church of God building on 15th Street in North Charlotte, which was the first Church of God in Charlotte. The abandoned building required extensive repairs, and the congregation worked many hours with perseverance through setbacks to complete the renovation.

1984 - A New Beginning at 15th Street

On May 29, the 15th Street Church of God congregation held its first service in the newly renovated building.

1986 - The Loss of a Founding Leader

Sister Shirley Wilson passed away and went home to be with the Lord.

Founding Members - A Faithful Remnant

Several founding members remained in the congregation including Earl "Papa" Hester (deceased), Linda Jones White, Pervis Graham, Ray Morgan, Mary McKinney (deceased), and Herbert (deceased) and Carolyn Powers.

Current Leadership - Continuing the Legacy

Bishop Wade H. Ferguson, III serves as current pastor, having been preceded by numerous pastoral leaders.