Household of Faith Church History

This is the history of the Household of Faith Holy Church of the Living God, Pillar and Ground of Truth, House of Prayer for All People, Inc., and its founder Bishop E.D. Sanders, as was told to his daughter Darryl Sanders Halley.

 Early Life and Calling 

If in this life we were to call for a witness to testify for the life of Elder Sanders, numerous persons would file to the witness stand to give their testimony. Think of the man David who became the second king of Israel. From what we know of his early life, he was always in preparation for the work that God wanted him to do. He was as protective of his few sheep as he later became of the children of Israel. He knew no fear. It was said that he truly was a man after God’s own heart.

Perhaps Bishop Sanders did not become as famous as King David did, but he truly was a man after God’s own heart. He gave his entire life to the Lord so that he may, in return, be an instrument for his glory. Even as a child, God was preparing him for the job he would do later in life. He was a strong-willed child with a very determined mind. Like David, he never even knew what fear meant.

There was no formal training for the job that he was to do, but his family was very strict and very religious. He was almost a full-grown man before he knew anything about Holiness, but he recalls the first sanctified tent service in his hometown and how he used to peep in and watch the people. The feeling he got after watching those services never left him, and he soon found himself seeking real sanctification.

 Ministry in Camden 

He then became affiliated with the church of the Living God and in Cincinnati Ohio in August 1938, he was ordained to the ministry by Bishop Rawlings and Elder Gay. In April 1949 under the direction of the Holy Spirit, he came to Camden, South Carolina, a place he had never been before. His first stop was at the home of three elderly people who needed his services both spiritually and physically. The home of these three people was in the spot right where the church is today at 702 York Street, Camden, South Carolina. The Lord led him to know that this was the spot for him.

Lucinda Dickinson, Liza Jordon, and Charlie Montgomery, the occupants of that house were more than glad to welcome this man who offered them spiritual and physical help. Bishop Sanders began to have service in the home of these people and from there he moved into the Camden church’s dining room building. Although he met much opposition in Camden, he was determined. Upon arriving in Camden, he asked the Lord to prove to him that it was indeed the Lord who had sent him here. The Lord proved just that. Not only was he an asset to the people in Camden spiritually but he proved to be in many other ways. He counseled many people and helped many alcoholics to put down the bottle. He proved that the LORD God of heaven was a healer of both soul and body, mentally and physically. Camden was more than a hundred miles from his hometown in Allendale County, therefore he was estranged from his family. He was often reminded of the scripture where Jesus told his disciples “Lo-I will be with you even to the end of time.”

 Healing and Deliverance 

By the end of Bishop Sanders’s first year in Camden, he appointed two Ministers, Elder H.M. Miller and Elder R.O. Johnson. He confronted much opposition in building what is now an established church on a firm foundation. Many people have been healed through his prayers to the living God. The lady in whose home he first stopped was able to regain her vision before dying. Sister Emma J. Johnson was healed from Tuberculosis, not to mention the many persons that have been delivered from cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and several other major diseases. By his hand, through Jesus Christ, Camden has witnessed the lame walking again, the deaf hearing, and the blind seeing.

 Expansion and Outreach 

For a people who had gone off into false doctrine, he brought the “Truth, word of God.” For years he taught the true gospel over WACA radio station in Camden. He has been the guest minister on the radio stations WYNN of Florence and WSDC in Hartsville. His voice has gone out over much of South Carolina. Because of his dedication, Household of Faith Holy Church of the Living God, Pillar and Ground of Truth, and House of Prayer for all People, have had churches located in seven different cities in Marion, Loris, and Britton South Carolina, and Augusta, Georgia. Many different cities, currently have locations in Camden, Columbia, Cheraw, and Hartsville South Carolina. There are also missions located in Pineville, South Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

 Legacy of Bishop E.D. Sanders 

The sermons and messages taught by this good shepherd shall ever be in the minds of his followers. Even as God was commissioning him to leave them, he spent his last hours preaching and expounding God’s word. His last sermon preached in his pulpit was taken from (II Kings 13). The last days of his life were spent counseling those whom he was left behind. He touched the lives of many people. His followers experienced the loss that the children of Israel felt when Moses did not return from the mountain. But just as Israel could not give up her quest for the promised land, neither can the Household of Faith give up their quest to continue to teach and obey the word of the LORD God.

Passing the proverbial torch is what Bishop E.D. Sanders did in April 1982, as he allowed Elder R.O. Johnson to preach for the first time the “Passover Sermon”. How true is the statement that God does nothing, but he reveals his secrets to his servants the prophet? Bishop E.D. Sanders realized that man is frail, and has only a few days here on earth. As he realized that his time was coming to an end, he began to set his proverbial house in order as well as the house of the Lord. He was a wise man, and when he went to sleep in October 1982, he left the LORD’s house and the Corporation that God blessed him to establish in order. His favorite statement was “My inheritance is among them that are sanctified”. His life came to an end and he went from labor to reward. By the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit, he left a great spiritual legacy left behind. He also left his charge to a man worthy of his trust.

 Spiritual and Financial Growth 

Bishop R.O. Johnson carried on the corporation and experienced much growth spiritually and financially. Under the leadership of Bishop Johnson and the saints of God, the church purchased a bus, and 60 acres of land and built a large beautiful convention center that was paid for in full. Today we are who we are because of our founding father Bishop E.D. Sanders by the power of Jesus Christ. Many miracles, signs, and wonders were wrought by this great man of God. And though he’s gone from labor to reward, God has allowed his dreams and visions to continue. 

 Transition and Successors 

Our church has gone through many toils and snares in the past few years, but thanks be to God who has given us victory over them all. We had two ordained and appointed Elders who are carrying on the torch, Elder J.W. Wright and Elder Blake Halley. Blake Halley was ordained Bishop and General Overseer, and John Wright was ordained Bishop over the flock on December 10, 2022. Let us join forces and pray for these men because truly they have some great shoes to fill. As God was with Joshua after the death of Moses his servant will be with us likewise. (Joshua 1:6 – 8, “6 Be strong and of good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”