OUR HISTORY

A Summative History of Freedom Fellowship Church

Freedom Fellowship Church (FFC) began with an informal discussion during a fellowship gathering at the home of the Graham Family on June 14, 2008.  This discussion involved how we could continue to fellowship together as a new ministry or a church.  During this gathering, God used this opportunity to design a new ministry by encouraging us to organize a church mission.  The Founding Board began to meet in July 2008 to outline the structure, by-laws, and doctrine of this new mission.  The members of the Founding Board were:

  • Eric Baker
  • Franklin Cook
  • Maurice Draughn
  • Troy Graham
  • Jennifer Graham
  • Victor Hardrick
  • Eugene Mixon
  • Joseph Streeter
The first service was held on July 27, 2008 at the Double Tree Hotel in Detroit, Michigan with 31 people in attendance.  29 of the 31 people in attendance became Charter Members.  A detailed list of the Charter Members is contained in the FFC Church Archives.
 
The name Freedom Fellowship Church was voted on at this time and Rev. Maurice Draughn was selected as our Interim Ministry Leader.  We also adopted the guiding scripture, vision and mission statement for our church.  Shortly thereafter, the church was incorporated and received its 501c 3 status. The FFC Leadership Council was also established at this time.  As our membership continued to grow, we moved to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan on September 7, 2008. In December 2008, our membership officially voted on Rev. Maurice Draughn as our Pastor-Elect.
 
God showed us great favor in 2009 as we celebrated some of our early milestones.  The year began with our first Agape Fellowship Dinner in January 2009.  On June 28, 2009, Rev. Draughn was officially installed as our Pastor. Our First Church Anniversary was celebrated on July 26, 2009 at Lower Huron Metropark with Freedom at the Park.  God blessed us tremendously with the purchase of a permanent location at 20601 Powers, Dearborn Heights, Michigan. The first service in our new edifice was held on August 2, 2009.  As the membership continued to grow, we incorporated numerous activities and outreach opportunities throughout the ministry. 
 
As of August 2015, we have more than 17 ministries engaged in ministry and missions.  The ministries at FFC include the Congregational Care Ministry (Deacons Ministry and Deaconess Ministry), Trustees Ministry, Membership and Guest Services (Greeters Ministry), Nurses Ministry, Worship and Arts Ministry (Music, Dance, Drama and SoundTech), Bible Study Ministry (Small Group and Sunday Morning), Sunday School Ministry, Intercessory Prayer Ministry, Children’s Ministry (Children’s Church), Family Life Ministry, Marriage Enrichment Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Next Generation Ministry, Young Adult Ministry (YAMS) and Culinary Arts Ministry (FFC Café).
 
Since our inception, outreach has been a priority.  Throughout the years we have partnered or supported the following local charities and non-profits through service projects: Vista Maria, Gleaners Food Bank, Cass Community Center, Annual Breast Cancer Walk, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Covenant House, the VA Shelter of Detroit, Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, and the Department of Human Services in Wayne County. We also strive to connect to the community around us through our Back to School Rallies providing school supplies to children, hosting the Child Evangelism Fellowship 5 Day Bible Club, our Harvest Fest as an alternative to Halloween, Alcoholics for Christ as well as prayer walking and monthly visitations to the Regency Heights Nursing Home.
 
It is our prayer that God will continue to bless us to complete the work that He began in us!