Even though the History of Genesis Christian Fellowship is not extensive in respect to the accumulation of time and years, it is needful that it be placed on record for generations to come. Our desire is that others may realize the Holy Unction which this Ministry began, and is yet motivating this Ministry, to fulfil God’s mission which is “To save that which is Lost.”

Just as the Apostle Paul reminded Timothy how his gift was cultivated by a praying and faithful mother, this ministry also began in the bosom of a young, prayerful mother: Missionary Mary E. Belcher. Pastor Belcher often shares the lessons he learned from his mother, whose life exemplifies faith, dedication, and holiness.

After much love, prayer, and correction, the seed that his mother planted in her beloved son came to fruition. Pastor Belcher first acknowledged the call of God on his life in June of 1985 at the Evangelistic Center C.O.G.I.C. in Kansas City, Kansas. The Evangelistic Center Church was under the direction of Senior Pastor Willie (Dad) Vaughn Sr. and then Assistant Pastor Jack Vaughn. These great men of God instilled into young Minister Belcher leadership, responsibility, and most importantly, love for hurting people. Dad Vaughn would constantly counsel Minister Belcher, for he had discerned through the Spirit the call that God had placed on this young man’s life. One of the most influential statements that Dad Vaughn imparted to Minister Belcher has become the Motto of Genesis Christian Fellowship (the Fellowship). Pastor Belcher remembers vividly, as Dad would smile and say, ” Son, don’t fight the people. Love makes the difference”. As he spoke these words, the old man’s face would light up, and he would look up as if he were gazing, unhindered, into Heaven, and he would say,” Son, that word came all the way from the courts of glory…., O’ you don’t hear me, son!!!”

Pastor Belcher says, thank God for you Dad, now, I do hear ya!!! Due to long spans of unemployment and the workings of God, Minister Belcher moved his wife, Warnitta, and young children, Carnesha, Justin, and Mica to Long Beach, California in July 1987. Employment was plentiful and God continued to nurture the seeds of his ministry. In September of 1987, Minister Belcher and family joined the Greater Harvest C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Pastor Lawrence Kelly. Pastor Kelly also recognized the gifts and talents of the Belcher family, and he too took a divine interest and began to lovingly water the seed that had been previously planted. It was under Pastor Kelly’s leadership that Minister Belcher and wife began to prosper and work in every area of the church ministry.

On July 3, 1988, Pastor Kelly licensed Minister Belcher. Two years later, June 9, 1990, Minister Calvin Belcher was ordained as an Elder, by Bishop Charles Blake, the presiding Bishop of the First Jurisdiction of Southern California Churches of God in Christ. Pastor Belcher considers his ordination an honor and one of the most cherished accomplishments of his life. As God, who directs time and events, continued to work behind the scenes, Elder Belcher moved his family to Moreno Valley, California in April of 1991. Elder Belcher and family placed their membership at Refreshing Springs Temple C.O.G.I.C., in Riverside, California, which was pastored by one of the most prolific teachers that this church has ever known, in the person of Pastor Franklin Knight. Elder Belcher felt that Franklin Knight was a great teacher and of the same caliber of the beloved Dad Vaughn of Kansas City. Unfortunately, for the Refreshing Springs Temple Church, and Elder Belcher in particular, Pastor Franklin Knight soon passed away. This event left Elder Belcher sadden and a little bewildered. After many days of prayer, fasting, and waiting the Spirit of the Living God spoke to Elder Belcher and said, “a new beginning – a Genesis.” This word from God was soon confirmed as Pastor Belcher received prophecy from national Evangelist V. Thornton. The Lord had enlightened Dad Vaughn also and he confirmed the calling and the reasons for his many instructions. Although many opportunities were presented to Elder Belcher to pastor and assist existing administrations at other Churches, Pastor Belcher contracted with the Moreno Valley School District to hold his first service in the Moreno Valley High School auditorium on January 24, 1993; thus, Genesis Christian Fellowship came into being.

While facing many struggles, both natural and spiritual, Pastor Belcher began the work that God had called him too. Each Sunday morning, having no transportation, Pastor Belcher would place his suit in a garment bag and prayerfully walk four miles, one way, from his home to the school auditorium for service. After each service, which consisted of singing and praying, the walk back home was sometimes long and trying. Pastor Belcher remembers one Sunday morning vividly. As he began his return home from one of those uninspiring Sunday Morning services, God sent encouragement. As he set on a curb, a little discouraged and bewildered, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to him plainly and told him to look down on the pavement, where his eyes focused on a penny, whose value seem worthless; too small to effect any sizeable change. As he reached to pick up the penny, the Spirit of the Lord spoke, saying “Little by Little, upon this Rock I will build my Church”, and the Spirit emphasized “My Church”. This word of comfort became the motivating force that Pastor Belcher needed to press on. It was through these times of solitude and fleeting loneliness that the sweet comforting voice of God would strengthen our Pastor’s spirit. Surely, God was true to His word and “Little by Little” the Church began to increase in number and strength. As the Church began to increase Pastor Belcher began to pray for a different facility that the Church may begin having mid-week services. The very next day God answered his prayer. The Moreno Valley Congregational Church (MVCC), located in the city of Moreno Valley, was looking for someone to share their beautiful facility with. On May 5, 1996, the Genesis Christian Fellowship moved its service from the Moreno Valley High School Auditorium to the small chapel of the Moreno Valley Congregational Church (MVCC). This move was a blessing to this small congregation in many ways. In particular, the Lord gave the young Fellowship favor with MVCC, and they allowed the Fellowship to have access to their entire beautiful campus which increased spiritually and numerically. This numerical increase prompted the Pastor to begin to seek the Lord for direction and a permanent home for the Genesis Christian Fellowship. 

Once again, the Lord showed Himself faithful. On March 27, 2001, the Lord blessed the Fellowship to place in escrow approximately (2.8) acres of beautiful grassy meadows that lie south of the San Bernardino Mountain range, on Cottonwood
Avenue, in Moreno Valley, California. The Spirit of the Lord influenced the property owners, Mr. / Mrs. Eugene Gabrych, to carry the note, and by April 5, 2001, the transaction was finalized. This blessing from God reveals to us God’s intent to establish a home for His people. The Saints rejoiced as the pastor reminded them of the encouragement of David to his son Solomon saying, “Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of
their own, and move no more” …2 Samuel 7:10 This marked the beginning of the long-term ‘Vision’ for the Fellowship.

Although we know that the trying of our Faith produces patience, we were not ready for the many changes that began to take place on this journey. For one, due to the lack of employment opportunities in our area, the congregation began to downsize, affecting the economy and the vision of the Church. With the mindset and faith to move forward, we continued to
trust God, our leader, to supply our needs according to his riches in glory. The Lord stepped up again and blessed the Fellowship, with a numerically declining congregation, to increase its monthly installments for the property in excess of the agreed-upon monthly amount, thereby decreasing the balance owed on the property at a quicker rate. The trying of our FAITH!

As the congregation continued to decline in attendance and finances, the leadership was forced to search for a more
financially feasible place to produce a ministry. Start-up ministries, such as ours, were forced to begin in the home, and renting from existing religious organizations or commercial centers presented scheduling and relational conditions that many times were not conducive to growth. A location for a Church to reside and grow has always been a problem in the newly built Moreno Valley area; for one there were no older structures to remodel, new start up churches were not readily able to purchase and build on undeveloped land without support from an external source. Adding to the dilemma was the unstable social and economic environment which produced an unstable population. Memberships were hard to establish.

Many Ministries were force to close their doors leaving debt and ruptured relationships that affected us all. But God! On April 28, 2005, the Fellowship relocated to the Red Maple Elementary School Multi-Purpose room where it resided until December 2005. The Red Maple location was idea for service, and the congregation experienced some numerical growth, but there seem to be a terrible miscommunication problem between the onsite staff and the district office. The Fellowship was affected by the communication disconnect on more than one occasion. At times, district personnel were late to the site, making our services to start late or they didn’t show up at all. To address these trials the Fellowship, once again, went into its closet believing God to help us. And like before the Lord went before us.

In January 2006, the Fellowship moved from the Red Maple facility to reside rent-free at the Salvation Army building at 14068 Graham St. in Moreno Valley, California. After learning the City of Moreno Valley had opposed the use of the facilities for services, in July 2009, the Fellowship relocated to Creek Side Elementary (08/20/06 – 06/28/09). Continuing to look for an inexpensive location that would not hinder the upkeep of the property and the monthly installments, in July of 2009
The Fellowship found a considerably lower rent at the ‘Heritage Room’, located on March Air Force base. Although this location was financially beneficial to the Fellowship, it had its own unique set of circumstances. The Fellowship intended to work closely with the US-VET organization to influence and enhance the homeless Veterans housed onsite, but the physical and medical conditions of the occupants rendered the location unsafe for the congregation to co-exist at the facility. It was agreed to by both parties that relocating the Fellowship would be best. On November 04, 2012, services were relocated
too Sunny Meade Elementary school located at 24050 Dracaea, in the City of Moreno Valley CA. The revealing of the chronology of the Fellowships movement and service is intentional. During the 21 years of Christian Service – we – the small flock the lord named Genesis Christian Fellowship, have kept the Faith, we now move on as a body to finish our course. We want to leave for future generations a legacy of walking by faith – overcoming obstacles to realize God’s ‘Vision.’ Through it all we have learned to trust….

Although the transitions from one location to another, at times seem to be a little unsettling, it did not hinder the Mission of the Fellowship. The Great Commission was never compromised. The mission was to realize spiritual transformation whereby people were made fit for the kingdom – both here and hereafter. The Lord revealed and led the Fellowship through
teachings and seminars, such as ‘Take off the MASK, As a Man Thinketh, and UNWRAPPING YOUR GIFT. On the Mission Field congregants have traveled to Mexico, on numerous occasions, baring clothing and love to diseased and orphan children. P.A.R.D.O.N, (Pardon by God Accepted by God Restored by God Delivered by God Owned by God Needed by God) a ministry
of love that provided hope to those who were incarcerated by sending up-lifting books, cards, and letters. In 2008 the Lord counted us worthy and increased our evangelistic responsibilities through ONEBODY. ONEBODY is an organized group of local congregations, community groups and businesses funded through private donations, residing under the umbrella of Genesis Christian Fellowship. The group was committed to addressing both the physical and spiritual well-being of the community. To assist families in the Inland Empire area ONEBODY has partnered with Samaritan’s Feet, an international humanitarian relief organization, to distribute shoes to needy families. During the shoe giveaway process, feet are being washed and the gospel being explained inviting people to the love of Jesus Christ. In witnessing to hundreds each year, souls are being encouraged and saved, the Lord is being magnified and the church edified. The month of March and the year 2013, represents a milestone in the long term ‘Vision’ of the Fellowship. On March 14, 2014, a copy of the Deed of Trust and a handwritten note, from Eugene Gabrych the owner of the property, to Old Republic Title Company acknowledged that Genesis

Christian Fellowship had paid the balance of the property note in full. This information directed Old Republic Title Company, the trustee, to file with the County of Riverside, California a conveyance document placing the sole ownership of the property in the name of Genesis Christian Fellowship. Hallelujah! We have possessed the land and now must construct our home. We take heed to the instructions given to Solomon, by his father David, concerning the plans given him by God to build his Temple, Be strong and of good courage and do it; fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord god, even my God will be with thee; He

will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of God 1 Chronicles
28:30 Not only in March of 2013 was the land possessed, but the official name change of the Fellowship was another important milestone. In the beginning, the Fellowship was established under the charter of the Church of God in Christ, but never really experienced its obligatory culture and leadership. Through the years, the Lord led the Fellowship in another direction and on March 26, 2013, a Certificate of Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation was submitted to the State of California, requesting a name change from The Genesis Christian Fellowship C.O.G.I.C. to Genesis Christian Fellowship. This name change entitled the Fellowship to be in charge of its own destiny. I read in the Revell Bible Dictionary that ancient Palestine was a rocky land filled with large and small limestone fragments, and many times heaps of stone were piled up to mark the sites of significant events. After the Lord gave Israel victory over the Philistines, the scripture states, Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer (the Stone of Help), saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. I Sam. 7:12. Be it known to all, that the possession of the land and the official change of our name, in the year of 2013, marks our Ebenezer, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. As God continues to set His approval on this ministry through signs and wonders, we continue to see that, God does supply our needs according to His riches in glory. As Pastor and under-Shepard to God’s great flock, I have learned and yet am learning to celebrate and walk in a higher level of trust with our God. As a body, we are beginning to realize and know, He who has begun a good work in us will complete it…. And the Church said……. A-m-e-n…!!!