History of Emmanuel Fellowship
On February 15, 1996 God gave birth to the Emmanuel Fellowship Baptist Church. He allowed Pastor A. E. Royal, Sr. from the Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church to form Emmanuel Fellowship. The first gathering was held in the Bethlehem Foundation on February 15, 1996 with 29 members attending. Pastor Royal began by reading the 46th Psalm and prayer. It was determined that a church would be organized and named Emmanuel Fellowship Baptist Church.
On March 3, 1996 an organization service was held at the Concord Missionary Baptist Church by Pastor E.K. Bailey. After numerous gatherings, Emmanuel Fellowship voted to join the Dallas Baptist Association of the Southern Baptist Convention. Worship began at God's Tabernacle Cathedral, in Dallas, Texas. After God's Tabernacle, Pastor & Sis. Royal hosted prayer and bible study in their home. Various members also opened their homes for choir rehearsals, L.I.F.E. Training classes, and meetings.
Emmanuel Fellowship then relocated to Faith Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church as a mobile church. The first revival was held at the Freedom Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mack T. Flemming, Pastor. The evangelist was the Reverend, Dr. L.K. Curry of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Chicago, Illinois.
The Lord blessed Emmanuel Fellowship to purchase its first facility at 400 N. Prairie Creek Rd. in Dallas, Texas, on Monday, November 3, 1997. Because of Pastor Royal’s charismatic and heartfelt leadership, many church families opened their hearts to Emmanuel Fellowship and the ministry grew. Pastor Royal faithfully served Emmanuel Fellowship, at this location, for 11 years. Before his transition, God allowed him to introduce Rev. Darron M. Johnson to the Emmanuel Fellowship family.
On April 27, 2008, Pastor Averil E. Royal, Sr., won the victory over his battle with leukemia. On June 4, 2008 a Call to Ministry was extended to Pastor Darron M. Johnson and on August 24, 2008, Rev. Darron M. Johnson was installed as Emmanuel Fellowship’s second pastor. Under Pastor Johnson’s leadership the mission & vision of reaching the un-churched and the unsaved through worship, discipleship and missions continues today.