A Refuge on Argent Court
Refuge Temple Columbia stands at 4450 Argent Court in Columbia, South Carolina, where it serves as the Southern Regional Headquarters of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (COOLJC) of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. The congregation lives by the motto "A Ministry Committed to Discipleship," rooted in the biblical call to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19-20). Bishop Sylvester K. Reid has pastored the church since his installation on January 12, 2014.
Sunday Mornings at Refuge Temple
Sunday unfolds in three movements at Refuge Temple. Online Sunday School begins the morning at 9:15 a.m., followed by in-person prayer at 10:30 a.m. and Morning Worship at 11:00 a.m., offered both in the sanctuary and through a livestream on Facebook and YouTube. Doors open at 10 a.m. The service runs about 90 minutes and blends contemporary and traditional music led by the praise and worship team. Visitors are invited to stay afterward for fellowship and to meet new people.
A Rhythm of Prayer Through the Week
Prayer is woven into nearly every day. The Missionary Department gathers the church by telephone at 6 a.m. on Monday mornings. Monday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. bring a family prayer hour held in homes. On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:15 p.m., a quick word of inspiration is offered by phone. Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. close out the work week with Bible study, streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.
Sunday Afternoon Ministry Hour
On Sunday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. over video, the church gathers its ministry communities one at a time. The Missionaries meet on the first Sunday, the Women's Council on the second, the Ministers' and Deacons' Wives on the third, the Youth Department (ABYPU) on the fourth, and the Brotherhood on fifth Sundays. Each group also hosts one of the weekly prayer touchpoints.
Ministries for Every Season
The church offers places to grow at every season of life. The Brotherhood gathers men, the Women's Council gathers women, the Couples Ministry supports marriages, and the Youth Department, called ABYPU, walks with young people. Newcomers can find a place through the church's New Members pathway, and the broader community can keep up through Facebook and YouTube.
What the Church Believes
The doctrinal statement opens with "We believe in one Lord, one Faith, and one Baptism" (Ephesians 4:5). Members affirm the oneness of God: the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and today the Holy Ghost in the Church. The Bible is the Word of God, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is essential for the forgiveness of sins, and rebirth by the Holy Spirit remains vital. The church looks forward to the second coming of Christ and the resurrection of the dead in Christ.
Bishop Sylvester K. Reid
Bishop Reid was born in South Carolina on September 27, 1957, and spent most of his formative years in New York, where he studied civil engineering at City College. He accepted Christ at age 12 and began preaching at 14. He was consecrated as Bishop at the COOLJC 92nd International Holy Convocation in Baltimore in July 2011 and installed as pastor of Refuge Temple in January 2014 by the late Chief Apostle William Lee Bonner. In 2017 he was named Convention Manager by the Presiding Apostle of the COOLJC. His ministry motto embraces "repairing, restoring, and re-building the lives of men, women, and children everywhere."
Refuge Temple Rock Hill and Visiting
Refuge Temple Columbia also leads Refuge Temple Rock Hill, extending the same fellowship into the upstate. The church office at 4450 Argent Court is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and visitors can plan to stay after the 11 a.m. service for fellowship and conversation.