Church of God by Faith Easton
History
​By divine providence, Mother Maureen Gray inquired about using the Community Center in the Delaware Terrace Apartment Complex in Easton for resident prayer and Bible study. Obedient to God's call, she received permission to start prayer services. She was joined by Mother Mary Lockhart, Mother Barbara Peterson, and others as services began.
In 1974, due to failing health, Mother Willie Mae Lockhart moved from Clermont, Florida, to Easton and joined the fellowship. God inspired Mother Willie Mae Lockhart and Mother Barbara Peterson to connect with their ancestral church.
Mother Peterson attended the District Meeting in Newark, NJ, in June 1974 and continued participating in District Events. After discussing with Mother Viola Stone, she wrote to Home and Foreign Mission President Ruling Elder Theodore Brown. Two weeks later, Elder Brown, Mother Vivian Brown, Mother Viola Stone, and District Elder E. P. Livingston visited Easton, officially establishing the Easton Mission of the Churches of God by Faith, Inc. Elder Brown began weekly visits.
The Mission was led by committed women of holiness, and their faith sustained the work. Approximately six months later, Bishop W. W. Matthews and Ruling Elder Theodore Brown conducted a revival that birthed the church’s first Deacon, George Peterson, who received the fullness of the Holy Ghost in May 1976 and served faithfully until his passing in April 1994.
Many were born into the kingdom of God through the Easton Mission, with the Newark Congregation assisting in its establishment. Ruling Elder Brown served as Pastor from October 1975 to December 1977, followed by Elder James Bivins from 1978. After challenges in securing a sanctuary, Easton acquired one in October 1978.
Elder Bivins served two terms: 1978-1981 and 1985-1987. Elder A. J. Williams served from 1981-1985, and Elder Robert L. Kent from 1988-1996. In 1997, Evangelist Michael J. Brown, Sr., was appointed as Pastor of the Easton Church. Currently, Pastor Michael J. Brown, Sr., continues to lead the congregation, affirming their journey of faith as they proclaim, “COME THIS FAR BY FAITH” leaning on the Lord.