In July 2009, Elder Shawn Lewis was given a vision from God to start Rhema Word

Ministries in Petersburg, Virginia. Upon being led by the Holy Spirit and with the

blessing of Bishop Tyrone Harper, Elder Lewis began to have interest and vision casting

meetings on September 13, 2009, at the Steven Kent Hotel in Petersburg, Virginia.

Twenty-two people joined the ministry that day, and Elder Lewis appointed Mother

Mildred Stringfield as the church Treasurer and Sister Tara Lewis as the Secretary of the

church.

On November 1, 2009, Elder Lewis was installed as Pastor of Rhema Word Ministries.

The ministry continued to have worship services and bible study at the Steven Kent

Hotel until January of 2010, when a seed was sown into the ministry that helped the

church to move into our first leased building located at 10531 South Crater Road,

Petersburg, Virginia. The ministry outgrew that building within six months, and on

January 23, 2011, the church moved to the Jay Tronfeld Building, located at 3321 B

South Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia.

During this time, the ministry continued to grow with a focus on community service,

training, and equipping leaders and deacons for the work of the ministry. Rhema Word

Ministries also had the pleasure of hosting a special group of young people from the

nation of Ghana. During the third anniversary celebration, Bishop Tyrone Harper

announced his intent to designate Elder Shawn Lewis to the Episcopal office of Bishop

in the Lord’s church. On Saturday, August 10, 2013, Pastor Lewis was consecrated to the

office of Bishop at the Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia.

As the ministry continued worship services at the Jay Tronfeld Building, Bishop Lewis,

the officers, leaders, and members decided it was time to begin seeking a building to

purchase for the ministry. On June 3, 2019, the Lord blessed the church to be able to

purchase the old Fraternal Order of Police building located at 1870 Grimes Road,

Petersburg, Virginia. The building had been sitting for seven years and required

significant maintenance to ensure code compliance and to prepare it as a place of

worship where God could be glorified. With the help of the Lord, the community, family,

and friends, the church had its grand opening service to celebrate what the Lord had

done.

As proud as we are of our church and its accomplishments, we realize that it is only

through the grace and goodness of God that we are where we are. May we, as a church

family, stay humble so that we may continue to be that city on a hill that cannot be

hidden. To God be the Glory For The Things That He Has Done!