- COJC's 1980 Relocation
- In 1980, Pastor Azivedo, along with Elder Leslie relocated Church of Jesus Christ to its present address: 3456 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
With the Nation's Capitol looming to the west, Church of Jesus Christ, a church founded fifty-one years ago is now located on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC.
On one end of Pennsylvania Avenue lives the President, on the other is teaching and preaching of the Living Word.
- Founder Lena Sears
- The Church of Jesus Christ (COJC), an affiliate of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. (PCAF), was founded on November 24, 1929, by a prominent and faithful woman of God - Lena Sears - at a time when it was unorthodoxed for women to enter the ministerial field as pastors. Pastor Sears laid the foundation for what is now one of the most influential churches in the District of Columbia area.
What is so unique about the COJC is its first three pastors were dedicated women who served God until their deaths. During Sears pastorate, from 1929 to her illness in 1954, the COJC prospered by inconceivable measures. Pastor Sears' abiding love and commitment were evidenced by the promising teachers, evangelists, and missionaries schooled under her ministry. These men and women impacted their communities with sacrificial service and devotion.
- Pastor Marian Miller
- When Marian B. Miller, Pastor Sears' assistant pastor and personal nurse during her illness, became the COJC's second pastor in 1954, her mission was to serve the people of God. She led an exemplary life, one that taught the members of the COJC the real meaning of the word "ministry." She taught them that the ministry of Jesus Christ begins with the love they share with one another, including the strangers they haphazardly meet.
She found joy in the most important things in life - visiting the sick and lending a helping hand to the needy. "Pastor Miller was more than a pastor. She was a mother who was willing to aid in any capacity. She was a faithful counselor, advisor, and, above all, a missionary" until her death on April 5, 1974.
- Pastor Naomi Azivedo
- In June 1975, Naomi Azivedo was installed as the COJC's third pastor with the then Elder John T . Leslie, Jr. as her assistant pastor. Pastor Azivedo was a true evangelist of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was known for delivering life-changing messages to large and small congregations, to prisoners, and even to those she met on the street. Her gift for evangelism was the catalyst God used to reach our city's youth. With great wisdom and insight, Pastor Azivedo trained them how to best utilize their talents in their churches, homes, schools and places of employment.
- Bishop John T. Leslie, Jr.
- In 1980, Elder John T. Leslie began pastoring the Church of Jesus Christ. He was accompanied by his wife Louise, and his 5 children.
When John T. Leslie, Jr. became the COJC's fourth and current pastor in August 1980, he continued leading the COJC in the spirit of evangelism. He also took the COJC to a new dimension with his gift of teaching. Over the years, Bishop Leslie has used this gift to reach the COJC members and community through various mediums.
The Church of Jesus Christ
We at the Church of Jesus Christ honor the Bible as the Word of God and we preach the same message of salvation as the apostles did in the early church.
This is our invitation to you – "Become a Bible Christian". Visit us , and hear The Church built upon the Rock still stands, and you are always welcome to come and fellowship with us
Learn More About Us
Who We Are
Read below to learn about COJC, our Apostolic Precepts and how we minister to our congregation and our community.
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Our History
Explore the panels above and click the "info" mouseovers to learn about COJC history and the leadership of history makers.
more history
What We Believe
View the What We Believe PDF that provides a biblically-based assessment of the Scriptures with a prayerful and Spirit-led explanation for each.
COJC pdf
Our Pastors
Meet our pastor Bishop John T. Leslie, Jr. and our Assistant Pastor, Elder Robert F. Taylor
COJC pastorsOur COJC Vision
To be a voice crying in the wilderness, spreading the good news and glad tidings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to those walking in darkness; that by hearing and obeying the Gospel, souls can be transformed into His marvelous light.
The Church of Jesus Christ, Inc., is an Apostolic soul-saving church. The first Church that had its beginning 2000 years ago on the day of Pentecost, established salvation involves repenting of sins, as a result of hearing and believing the Word of God, being baptized by immersion in water, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and being filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance.
There are more than two hundred and fifty different religions in North America alone. However, all have one point in common. Each group considers itself the only repository of the truth with a divinely appointed responsibility to continue its separate witness. Because of such a confusing situation, many are asking, "Which, if any, is the true church?" "How can all these churches be right and if they are not right, which one is?" Apostle Paul tells us,
There is only one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism
Ephesians 4:4,5 KJV
Who We Are
Bishop Leslie has used his gift to REACH OUT to his members and to the community through various mediums. These mediums include:
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Weekly radio broadcast, "Everybody Can't Be Right" |
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Friday Night Christian Education classes for all ages |
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Evangelical Training Association classes |
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Summer Vacation Bible School for all ages |
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My Brother's Keeper and My Sister's Keepers programs for youth |
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Deaf Ministry for the hearing impaired |
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Missionary Outreach ministry, which includes foreign missions and ministries at local prisons |
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Althea Nursing Home and the Kenyon Street Group Home |
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Lamont Street Shelter, and the Stanton Street Shelter |
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St. Elizabeth's Hospital Ministry; a Street Ministry |
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Children's Church Ministry |
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Community Outreach Center |
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Child Development Center |
When John T. Leslie, Jr. became the COJC's fourth and current pastor in August 1980, he continued leading the COJC in the spirit of evangelism. He also took the COJC to a new dimension with his gift of teaching.
Over the years, Bishop Leslie has used this gift to reach the COJC members and community through various mediums.
Elder Robert F. Taylor is a native of Oak Hill, West Virginia and married to the lovely Melinda Hosey Taylor. From this union were born five lovely children – Tanisha (Brown), Robin, Jonathan, Crystal and Christopher (twins).
In August of 1999 Elder Taylor became an ordained minister under the PCAF Association.
In May of 2005 he was ordained as the Assistant Pastor of the COJC. He has held numerous positions at the church and continues to be a wonderful asset to the church.