The History of Kingdom Apostolic Ministries

On August 25, 1988, Elder Lambert W. Gates of Detroit, Michigan, was elected to become the third pastor of Mt. Zion Apostolic Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. As a new leader, he envisioned Mt. Zion as a place of inspiration for its members and a beacon of hope to the unchurched and adopted the tagline “A Going Church for a Coming Lord.” In a special meeting on September 9, he appointed new officers and leaders, and set plans in motion for membership growth and greater community engagement. On December 11, he was officially installed in a ceremony held at Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Assembly in Indianapolis. By the end of his first year, Mt. Zion was becoming one of the fastest growing Apostolic churches in the city.

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Bishop Lambert W. Gates, Sr., was installed as Mt. Zion’s third pastor on December 11, 1988. He set out to create a well-organized church with a greater presence in the community, envisioning Mt. Zion as an inspiration to members and a beacon of hope to the unchurched. By the mid-90s, Mt. Zion had outgrown the building on Prospect Street and on May 4, 1997, marched into its new 38th Street home. In gradual succession came day Bible study, children’s church, the daycare, choirs, and television and internet broadcasts. Mt. Zion was well on its way to realizing its new vision as the 20th century came to a close.

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Today, numerous ministries meet the needs of people in our church and community, and radio, television, and internet broadcasts enhance soul winning efforts. In June 2005, a 1600-seat sanctuary was added to the existing building, enabling the Word of God to reach greater numbers of people in the community and beyond. In October 2007, Mt. Zion became a sister church to Greater Apostolic Faith Temple in Detroit when Bishop Gates assumed full leadership after the death of his own pastor.  Mt. Zion in the 21st century stands as a classic story of the faithfulness of God in raising up a people to reach the world with the life-changing news of Jesus Christ.

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1989

• The Gospel Choir (Later called the Apostolic Choir) is organized in January

• Elder Lambert W. Gates and Nancy Franklin are married at Butler University on July 23.

• Patti Jones becomes the church’s first employee.

• The Joyful Sounds radio broadcast goes on the air on WPZZ.

• “A Going Church for a Coming Lord” becomes the church’s tagline.

1990

•     Lambert W. Gates, Jr. is born on May 19.

1991

•     The Pastor’s Partners is created.

•     Elder Gates is confirmed as a district elder by the PCAF.

1993

•     The Leadership Council is established.

•     Cameron David Gates is born on June 30. 1996

•     A strategic task force is formed to create the church’s first vision and                  mission    statements.

1997

•     After more than 38 years at the Prospect Street church, Mt. Zion         purchases a larger building at 4900 E. 38th Street. •     The last service on Prospect Street is held on April 27.

•     The grand opening for 4900 is held on May 4.

•     District Elder Gates is consecrated as a bishop by the PCAF on August 8.

•     4900 is dedicated on September 21.

1999

•     Mt. Zion’s Loving Daycare opens on January 4.

2001

•     The Victory Through Praise telecast goes on the air on WHMB TV 40.

•     The church anniversary features the Chicago Mass Choir. 

2002

•     The first Fresh Anointing Conference is held September 19-22.

•     The Northeast Indianapolis CSC is founded by Bishop Gates.

2004

•     The groundbreaking ceremony for the main sanctuary is held on         March 21. Construction begins on June 4.

2005

•     The grand opening of the main sanctuary is held on June 5. The Lillian             Mason Sanctuary and James O. Franklin Chapel are dedi    cated.

•     The main sanctuary is dedicated on June 12. A time capsule is created                 to be opened during the 100th centennial year in 2022.

2007

•     Bishop Gates, assistant pastor since 1985 at Greater     Apostolic Faith                     Temple in Detroit, Michigan, becomes the pastor after the death of                  Bishop Nemiah Smith on July 24. Through this move, Greater Apos-                    tolic and Mt. Zion become sister churches.

2008

•     L.W. Gates Ministries is founded.

•     Bishop Gates and the mass choir record “Churchin’ With the Bishop”                 live in the main sanctuary.

2009

•     Mt. joins Facebook and Twitter on social media.

2012

•     Watch Night service closes out with Bishop Gates simultaneously                             preaching to Greater Apostolic and Mt. Zion via LiveLink.

2016 •     Bishop Gates becomes the 7th presiding bishop of the Pentecostal                             Churches of the Apostolic Faith.

2018 •     Bishop Gates celebrates his double milestone 30th pastoral anniversary             and 60th birthday at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

2019 •     Now in its 96th year, the Mt. Zion story continues!