| Christ-Centered Apostolic Church, the name given by
the Founding Pastor, the late Superintendent Victoria L. Thrash, under
the divine inspiration of the Holy Ghost, denotes that He is the pivotal
head around which all the body revolves—"In Him we live and move
and have our being." On July 10, 1977, by His divine direction, a small group of seven (and one child), believing and trusting His Word, began worshipping in their first home, the "Upper Room" at 2602-B West Imperial Highway, Inglewood. It was there that God established Himself in the lives and hearts of these worshippers. For four months, the Lord manifested Himself in the midst of the people, preparing them for the blessing He had promised. Through fasting, praying, and studying the Word of God, the inward man was renewed. Four charter members still attend the church: Dr. Robert J. Thrash III, Elder Sandra G. Thrash, Victor L. Thrash and Tania Thrash. True to His word, on November 1, 1977, the worshippers entered their present site, 2301 West Imperial Highway, Inglewood. Many have raised the question how a small group (seven) could acquire an edifice costing at that time, a quarter of a million dollars. These worshippers, too, would have the same question—except by virtue of the fact -- God said it, they believed it, and that settled it. Having obeyed God and taken up their abode, the small number continued to increase as God saw fit to bless. Christ-Centered Apostolic Church developed ministries to meet the needs of its growing family, including youth programs, a child-care center, a Christian School, a bus ministry, a radio ministry, a television ministry, a Soul Patrol ministry, a Sheepfold ministry, and Christian Education ministry. Because Superintendent Thrash had a passion for education and wanted to insure that her grandchildren would receive a quality Christian education, she founded Christ-Centered Children's University in the fall of 1984. Due to the explosive growth of the school, it was necessary to build. Construction was completed in 1987 of a school building to house the growing Christian School. The building contains 7 classrooms, a library, a teacher's lounge, 2 offices and 5 bathrooms. This building now houses Thrash Family Center. On February 16, 1993, God saw fit to call Supt. Thrash home to glory. Dr. Robert J. Thrash III was then installed as Senior Pastor of Christ-Centered Ministries. In January of 1999, more than 80% of the membership of Christ-Centered Ministries abandoned the ministry because they disagreed with the direction and vision God had given the Pastor, Dr. Robert J. Thrash III. Unfortunately, they thought that church was about the building, but Pastor Thrash knew that it was never about the building. He understood it had been about what God was leading and directing His people to do. In June of 1999, Christ-Centered Ministries went on hiatus and the remnant of the Christ-Centered Ministries members went to First Church of God, where Pastor Thrash accepted the position of Executive Pastor. Dr. Thrash and this group of believers waited for the Lord's further instruction. Christ-Centered Ministries never ceased to exist legally or as a church. We continued to have Small Groups, a part of Christ-Centered Ministries that was begun almost twenty years earlier. January 2001 was a pivotal time for Christ-Centered Ministries. God stirred again as an eagle stirs its nest. It was the beginning of what would be the revived, improved, greater, bigger, better, Christ-Centered Ministries. The remnant and additional worshippers moved from First Church of God to their new home at 3311 W. Manchester Blvd., in Inglewood. Our literal "Upper Room" experience of 1977 became our "Little Room" experience of 2001. We had gone from a building that could accommodate almost 300 people, to an office suite that could barely accommodate sixty. It almost swallowed us up, as there were less than twenty-five of us. Pastor Lonnie MacNamee, Senior Pastor of Do Right Christian Center, graciously shared his facilities with Christ-Centered Ministries. Our Worship Service was held each Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm. Pastor Thrash was determined to have a church full of God's people. As a result, five words were used to further shape the ministry. Accountable, Responsible, Mature, Equipped, and Disciplined would become what every member of Christ-Centered would strive to be. The Holy Spirit led Pastor Thrash to speak life into the ministry every time the name flowed from someone's lips, and so shortly after its reorganization, the church was renamed Christ-Centered A.R.M.E.D. Ministries. We continued being faithful to God, and in early 2002, God began moving in a new way. When we left the 2301 West Imperial Highway, Inglewood location in 1999, another ministry had agreed to lease the church with an option to buy. As far as Christ-Centered Ministries was concerned, it was a done deal. But God had other plans. Circumstances occurred in the other ministry that defied explanation. The end result was that they were unable to exercise the option to buy and Christ-Centered A.R.M.E.D. Ministries regained physical possession of 2301 West Imperial Highway, on July 10, 2002 - - exactly twenty-five years to the day God birthed Christ-Centered Ministries. We had come full circle. We cannot explain why, and those who abandoned this ministry are still trying to figure out how; but God said it, we believed, and that settled it. He showed us who already knew that church is not about the building, that He could make it be about the building. Christ-Centered A.R.M.E.D. Ministries is active and on the rise. We have grown to more than one hundred members and attendees. During the past four years we have developed the Alliance, Chosen Women, Door Keepers, Equipment Division, Levites, Men of Valor, Member Services, New Birth Team, Restoration Project, Savoir Fare - A.R.M.E.D.'s own catering and event planning company, Soldier Fellowship, The A.R.M.E.D. Program, Woman Up! Empowerment Series, Man, Up! Empowerment Series, The Tribe, Thrash Family Center (TFC), and Youth Empowered to Succeed. A.R.M.E.D. is a church that has "un-sit-downable" Spirit-infused praise and worship, and an approachable Pastor whose dynamic and honest delivery of the Word of God encourages members and regular attendees to live holy. We receive Bible College-level teaching that is inductive and brought to us in a clear and logical style. Our members and attendees are supportive and enjoy regular fellowship with each other. Excitement remains high as God blesses through His Word, adds souls to His Kingdom, and the manifestation of visions coming to pass are seen. |
