The ministry, originally known as Jesus is Lord Church of Deliverance (JILCOD), began in 1990 in the home of our founder, Apostle Bonnie Bigelow and her husband, the late Elder Elvis Bigelow, in Dover, DE. Apostle started the ministry with eight members. From there the ministry moved to Milford, DE and later relocated to Georgetown, De, where Apostle had been instructed by the Holy Spirit to plant the church.
During the church’s early years, we met for worship services in various locations; the Grange, Sussex Central High School, Atlantic Budget Inn, Best Western Hotel, a commercial property in Milford, the Armory and, lastly, the VFW. Holy Spirit directed Apostle Bigelow to walk through the aisles of chairs and to see and speak by faith to her new members. Within one year, God added 100 members. Not only did God bless the ministry with new members, but He blessed JILCOD with finances to build a permanent home!
Initially, the church purchased 9.5 acres of land on Route 9 in Georgetown, but God had another plan. We sold that land for a significantly higher amount and he blessed us to purchase the property where we are currently located! God promised Apostle that we would build our new church from the ground up, and we did. Eight years later, He blessed the church to burn it’s mortgage! The ministry also acquired a homeless shelter that also has been paid in full and has been used to house numerous individuals and families who experienced loss of housing.
In 1996, Apostle founded the Jesus is Lord Christian Academy, another extension of our ministry, which operated in our church building from 1998 to 2013. JILCOD has hosted various outreach endeavors, including events sponsored by Elohim Community Development, Inc., Toys for Tots, Thanksgiving for Thousands and 4-H. The JILCOD Mass Choir recorded its first album in July 1999 entitled “I Got a Praise.” Praise & Worship has always been a major component of our ministry and God honored us to share our gifts beyond the four walls.
Matt. 6:33 NLT states, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. This ministry is a living testament to the promises of God! We have been a safe haven for people to receive deliverance, a power source, and a place of refuge. Through the years this church has witnessed miracles performed. The dead have been raised. The lame have walked. Those afflicted with incurable diseases, cancer, lupus, diabetes, and AIDS have received healing. We have even witnessed someone waitlisted for a heart and miraculously receiving a call that “we found a match!” God is Almighty!
On September 27, 2020, God led Apostle Bigelow to release the office of Pastor and to appoint new leadership for the church. She was also instructed to change the name of the church to Jesus is Lord Church of Deliverance – Tabernacle of the Living God. On September 25, 2021, Dr. Terrell Holmes was installed as the new pastor of the Tabernacle.
As God was with Apostle Bigelow, He has been with Pastor Terrell. We are still witnessing the healing power of God and the greater works He promised to us as believers. As Pastor Terrell often declares, we will continue the work and finish it!