One of the largest church buildings in the world is said to be in Ivory Coast, Africa. It was built between 1985 and 1989, with fine marble imported from Portugal and Italy. The church seats 18,000 worshipers but few attend today because of civil war. How different is the true church of Jesus Christ. Of course, His church is not a literal building at all. The Apostle Peter calls it a spiritual Temple, composed of all who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Peter writes in his first letter CH 2, “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.” Despite our many flaws as people of faith, God is pleased to dwell with us. We are precious to Him, and He counts on us to keep growing into the moral likeness of His Son, to keep sharing the Good News of His love and forgiveness to the world, and to keep working for justice and righteousness wherever we are.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
