Church History
Christ’s Church of the Jesus Hour (CCJH) did not begin in Rochester, Minnesota; the church is a plant church of a congregation of the same name in Kansas City, Kansas. Pastor and Founder of Christ’s Church of the Jesus Hour in Kansas City was Dr. Russell W. Davis Sr. (Deceased). The beginning of the original CCJH goes back to July 4, 1971. The Rochester history began with a vision God instilled in two families in Rochester. The two families agreed to fast and pray for two weeks, in search of God’s plan for a ministry opportunity. The families wanted to create a ministry that would meet the needs of ALL family members, including diverse communities, while providing a place of freedom where individuals could grow while utilizing their gifts for the Body of Christ in this community, as well as supporting the worldwide spread of the Christian faith.
The first planning meeting, combined with a Sunday morning Worship Services was held on March 28, 2010 (Palm Sunday) at the Clarion Inn (formerly Holiday Inn) which was located at 1630 South Broadway, in Rochester, Minnesota. This meeting marked the official organization of the church, which would be named Christ’s Church of the Jesus Hour, in honor of the mother church.
Eight individuals joined the church on that Sunday. Ostell L. Rowe (Pastor’s wife). Susan Kelly, Jackie Johnson, Barbara Jordan, Bobby Hunter, Lacora Hunter, Kathy Winsky, and Geraldine McBride. The founding membership of the church decided to voluntarily affiliate with other churches of like faith, and so the CCJH spiritual journey began.
On April 2, 2010, the Church signed an agreement with the Boys and Girls Club to use their multipurpose room (gym) for Sunday morning service only. The first worship service at this location was on Sunday, April 4, 2010 (Resurrection Sunday). This agreement lasted until Sunday, April 10, 2011, a little over a year. During this time, other meetings and Wednesday night Bible study were held in the home of Pastor and Sister Rowe.
Yet, know this, God was moving. On October 15, 2010 Christ’s Church of the Jesus Hour entered into a purchase agreement with Mrs. Arlene Wentworth, for the property located at 2311 Highway 52 North (West Frontage Rd). The building had been used as an office complex, so a complete remodeling of one side was required to facilitate a sanctuary and kitchen. The construction took three months, but with God’s grace, on Sunday, April 17, 2011, Christ’s Church held the first Worship Service in the new building. All praises to God.
In August of 2014, God blessed the CCJH congregation yet again, with His blessed assurance and after much prayer, CCJH was able to purchase the building immediately north of the church. The plan for this building was that it be developed to house the CCJH Education Ministry, Youth Ministry, and other ministries as God says the same.
During the years since that blessed morning some 8+ years ago, among a multitude of blessings, CCJH has seen the expansion of the church Music Ministry to include growth in both the Adult and young adult Praise teams, a growing Children’s choir, continued and expanding engagement and presence in support of aligned community groups, and the very successful launch and participation in the Mayo Clinic initiated FAITH program, which has led to an important and ongoing CCJH Health Ministry
The CCJH Saints, with the leadership of Pastor Rowe, have a continued commitment to serving God through serving others as the congregation participated in numerous community service activities to include:
-Providing worship service for residents of Rochester West, the nursing home next to the original church building
- Collecting books for the DC Mangum Literary Festival
- Establishing the CCJH Summer Youth Reading Program, which over the past two years has seen K-12 students in the church collectively read upwards of a hundred books
-Ongoing host for the Rochester Branch NAACP
-Ongoing prison ministry at the Federal Medical Center
-Collection of clothing, pots and pans and dishes for residents of the Rochester Women’s Shelter
-Providing resources and information to those in need in the Rochester community
-Continued active support for Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive, no matter the weather, during the Christmas Season
-Continued expansion of a vibrant men’s ministry! CCJH men are stepping up and stepping out to do God’s work and providing wonderful support and assistance to the Pastor—praise God.
-From the very start, bible based Christian education has been a foundation of this church; Sunday School is alive and well; Vacation Bible School has been held each summer since the move into the original building.
-Finally, this congregation, with leadership from the Pastor and ministerial team, has made worship of God and service to others a focus for the congregation. With the help of the Holy Spirit, CCJH continues to be mindful of the many ways to show God’s love through service to others.