A House of Prayer on Pennsylvania Avenue
Riverside Faith Temple Ministries, Int'l. has stood on Pennsylvania Avenue in Riverside, California since 1971, growing from a small Sunday gathering in a converted building on Lincoln Street into a multigenerational ministry with active children's programs, a thriving praise dance team, foreign mission work, and a prayer culture that starts before sunrise and ends well after sunset. Pastored today by Apostle Beatrice M. Sims and her son Pastor Duane Sims, the congregation gathers every Sunday morning at 10:45 AM under the motto "Growing Your Life in the Word of God." Office hours run Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at 2355 Pennsylvania Avenue, Riverside, California 92507.
Sunday Mornings in the Sanctuary
The Sunday morning service begins at 10:45 AM and fills the sanctuary with the choir, the praise dance team, the children's choirs, missionaries reporting back from abroad, and the regular congregation. The format reflects the church's stated mission of making disciples through the teaching of the Word, nurturing the believer, and training people for the work of the ministry. The Sunday service is also the entry point for newcomers: a New Member class meets each Sunday morning at 9:30 AM, providing biblical and foundational teaching for those who have joined.
A Week Packed with Bible Study and Prayer
Three regular gatherings fill the sanctuary during the week, and each has its own character.
- Tuesday and Friday evenings at 7:00 PM are devoted to Bible study with Pastor Duane Sims in the sanctuary. Those who cannot attend in person can join by computer or phone through a Dialpad line.
- Friday morning Bible study at 11:00 AM, led by Apostle Beatrice Sims, is described as a workshop for developing leadership skills. The study draws members who want to hone their craft as teachers and leaders.
- Wednesday morning prayer at 10:00 AM gathers members in the sanctuary to intercede for one another, the city, the state, the nation, and the world, fulfilling the church's self-described identity as a House of Prayer. The gathering takes its theme from Matthew 18:20.
A "Tear Down Strongholds" Prayer Watch, led by Pastor Duane Sims, gathers members from 6:00 to 11:00 PM in the sanctuary for an extended session of intercession. Members come prepared to "tear down Satan's kingdom."
What Riverside Faith Temple Believes
The thirteen-point Statement of Faith holds to the Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and to Jesus Christ as true God and true man. The Holy Spirit is a divine person, all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Salvation is freely provided through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the will of God is for every person to accept Christ as Lord and Savior and be cleansed of sin. The will of God is also that every believer be filled with the Holy Spirit; healing is provided in the redemptive work of Christ and is available to every believer; the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust will occur; and the return of Jesus Christ is imminent, personal, and visible. Water baptism and the Lord's Supper are observed as ordinances of primary importance.
The Statement of Purpose lists seven commitments, beginning with winning souls to the Kingdom of God and being genuinely concerned about the souls members meet every day. The church is a teaching institute for every aspect of life, a House of Prayer, a place of intercession, and a body that supports the vision with tithes, offerings, attendance, and gifts. The members commit to dwell together in unity so that the anointing of God will flow freely in and through their lives.
The Daily Prayer Declaration that members pray together names themes of family, favor, release, increase, and overflow, grounding each day in the authority of the Word. A companion Financial Statement of Faith asks God for souls, jobs, raises, sales, estates, profitable investments, found money, and bills paid off, with the goal of having more than enough to give to the kingdom of God and promote the Gospel.
From Lincoln Street to a Global Ministry
The story of Riverside Faith Temple begins with a small Sunday gathering in a converted oriental-style building at 7415 Lincoln Street, in the Casa Blanca neighborhood of Riverside. In September 1971, Joseph L. Sims and Beatrice M. Sims, with their three sons Duane, Darren, and David, along with Mother Elizabeth Sims and Sis. Bobbie Lee Moody, formed the founding congregation. In 1973, the church was named Faith Temple Church of God In Christ, and on its first Sunday about eight adults and ten children attended.
The young church grew quickly. Families named Cross, Poole, Hervey, Sims, Foster, Hunt, Taylor, Jones, and Simpson were early additions, and a choir took shape under directors Sandra and Jackie Poole, with Darren Sims on drums, Duane Sims on bass, and Wanda Poole on piano. The choir became so well known across Southern California that audiences would point when they arrived, knowing the choir stands would soon be tested by the shouting and dancing that accompanied the singing.
The youth of Faith Temple were equally active. They competed in Bible and choir competitions, park rallies, street witnessing, and Jesus parades, returning with first or second place nearly every time. Almost every weekend, Pastor and Sis. Sims loaded the youth onto a big orange, black, and white bus called "The Soul Express" and a blue van named "Lucy" by Sis. Dorothy Cross. They went to the beach, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, ice skating, roller skating, the snowy mountains, swimming parties, ping pong tournaments, and Love Feasts.
The youth thought they were sneaking off when they went to a dance at UCR (the University of Riverside), but Pastor Sims would show up at the door, calm and loving, and say, "Get out of here, you don't belong in here." The story became so well known that people in the community would warn young people away from places they should not be, saying, "You better get out of here or your pastor's gonna come and get you." Many young people from other churches wanted to join because they saw the love and fun Faith Temple youth had.
The church's influence extended beyond Southern California when, in 1981, Apostle Joseph Sims founded End-Times Ministries, International. He also founded Riverside Faith Temple Christian Academy, which operated for sixteen years and trained a generation of young people in education and ministry, and sponsored an on-site extension of the University of La Verne Bachelor of Science Program focused on Religion and Black Church Studies. Apostle Joseph Sims went to be with the Lord in 2005 after 48 years of marriage.
Apostle Beatrice M. Sims, a graduate of the University of La Verne with bachelor's degrees in Religious Education and Christian Counseling and an honorary Doctorate from the International Bible Institute and Seminary, has continued the work. She has authored two books, "Journey Through James" and "Spiritual Warfare," along with seven ministry manuals including "Pneumatology 101" and "Walking in Dominion." Affectionately known as "Pastor Bea," she has preached, taught, and prophesied across the United States and in Africa, Mexico, and Guam. Their son Pastor Duane Sims and his wife Belita pastor alongside her.
Faith Town USA: Where Children Learn to Minister
Children's ministry at Riverside Faith Temple is so central to the church's identity that it has its own name: Faith Town USA. The vision of Apostle Joseph and Apostle Beatrice was to equip children for evangelistic ministry at school, in the park, at home, or on foreign soil. The staff uses age-appropriate materials, thought-provoking lessons, songs, and crafts, aiming to make learning about Christ fun, innovative, creative, and the best learning experience a child will ever have, while making sure every child feels safe and loved. The annual Harvest Celebration is the most visible expression of Faith Town's work, a free event geared toward families, with all children ten and under accompanied by an adult and a no-gory-costumes request.
The Praise Dance Ministry
The Praise Dance Ministry began in September 1992 with a vision from Apostle Joseph Sims and leadership from Elder Katherine A. Williams. It started with two members who rehearsed three to six hours a week. The first dance came forth in January 1993, and the ministry has since grown into five teams: Adult Dancers, Daughters of Zion, Elohim's Liturgical Dancers, Junior Praise Dancers, and STEPPUp. Resurrection Life Church of God In Christ was instrumental in cultivating the choreography and garment design. The teams have ministered throughout the Inland Empire, across the United States, and into Mexico, and have helped launch other dance ministries at Liberty Temple in Mesa, Arizona, Elohim Family Worship in Pomona, California, and Trinity Baptist in Rialto, California. The dancers stand on Psalm 149, "Let them praise His name in the dance," and Psalm 150, "Praise Him with the timbrel and dance."
The Marriage Ministry
The Marriage Ministry, led by Elders Victor and Cassandra Davis, has been a part of the church for over thirty years. The ministry is designed to enrich the lives of married couples and those engaged to be married, hosting quarterly events and beginning each year with Saturday classes to prepare for the annual Valentine's Weekend Get-A-Way. Past events have included river rafting, go-kart racing, date nights, trips to the snow, and home fellowships. The marriage encounter seminars focus on improving communication, increasing intimacy, and spurring romance, all grounded in Ephesians 5:31-33.
The Women's Department
The Women's Department, led by Elder Delicia Heath, aims to cultivate and train devoted women of all ages to serve God and their communities. The department focuses on intellectual, physical, and spiritual growth through mentorship, training, and equipping, with the goal of developing well-balanced Christian leaders who impact their families and communities, beginning with their own spiritual formation. Members strive to be godly examples, building kingdom women to become kingdom builders.
Foreign Missions in Haiti and Mexico
Riverside Faith Temple maintains relationships with two foreign mission works. Bishop Gregory and Toneya McGinnis oversee the partnership with Harmony Ministries in Haiti, founded by Pastor Luc (Lu-Ronide) Deratus. Born in Leogane, Haiti in 1950, Pastor Deratus trained as an accountant and teacher, then at age 24 attended the Christ for the Nations Bible School in Dallas, Texas. In 1981, he returned to Haiti and began his first church, and by 1985 had built a church and school in Cite Militaire, one of the poorest slums in the capital, with help from American friends in New Jersey. By 1988, he had established schools in all three locations, and by 1992, with the help of his wife Ronide, he set up a medical clinic and pharmacy and hired a part-time physician. The January 2010 earthquake destroyed the church and school in Leogane and the major part of the school, church, and clinic in Port-au-Prince, but Pastor Deratus built a large tent on the church property, where more than 1,000 people now worship.
In Mexico, Riverside Faith Temple partners with Centro Cristiano Rabah in Mexico City ("Neza"), founded by Apostle Martin Hernandez. He accepted the Lord in 1978, became an apostle in 1990, and was sent to Mexico by Apostle Joseph Sims, where he lived for twenty-eight years and held nineteen years of annual prophetic conferences before going to be with the Lord in 2021. The church is now led by his wife, Pastor Luisa Hernandez, and the annual Prophetic Conference continues.
The Community Garden
Riverside Faith Temple hosts a community garden at 2355 Pennsylvania Avenue, a shared green space that has been celebrated with a mural installation and is a tangible way the church puts down roots in the surrounding Casa Blanca neighborhood.
Becoming a Member
Anyone interested in becoming a member can reach out to the office at (951) 788-0170. New members attend a New Member class each Sunday morning at 9:30 AM, which provides biblical and foundational information about the church. After completing the class, members may enroll in School of Ministry classes to develop their gifts and talents, with each class carrying a $5.00 application fee and a $5.00 tuition fee and a certificate awarded at completion. Non-members may also take the classes, with a $10.00 application fee and a $25.00 tuition fee per class.
Online Connection and Giving
Sermons and live streams are available through the RFT Live Stream on YouTube and through the church's online platforms, including an audio sermon archive. The ShelbyNext MinistryOne app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, gives members and visitors access to sermons, livestream, giving, event registration, prayer requests, and a directory. The ShelbyNext Membership app allows members to view and update their profiles, give online, and review past giving. Online giving is available through the ShelbyNext platform. RFT Ministries shares updates, photos, and encouragement throughout the week on Facebook and Instagram, with a separate RFT Youth account for the next generation.