Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven L. Best Sr..
Hi Steven, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Well, to make a long story short, at the age of fifteen, while living in Lexington, Kentucky, I received a call from the Lord Jesus to preach the gospel. At that time, I was a member of the House of God, Inc., a religious organization located at 866 Georgetown Street. There, I served under the leadership and tutelage of the late Bishop Simon Peter Rawlings, who acted as a spiritual guide and mentor to me until his demise. At the age of 18, I made history by being the youngest minister to be ordained as an Elder in the House of God organization. On August 25, 1977, I married Wanda C. Turner, who was a member of the House of God located in Norristown, PA. She became my wife, and we began our family.
In 1979, I was commissioned through the House of God to serve as a pastor in Bluefield, WV.
There, I learned of God’s strong hand of provision! I pastored there for two years before I relocated to my wife’s hometown. In 1986, while serving in ministry with the local House of God congregation there, I was called upon again to pastor a small church in Cleveland, Ohio. Now, to note, Cleveland was a place that I once said, “I will never live there!”. But little did I know of the plans that God had in store for me! When I arrived, I was met by a handful of members who had lost their pastor and were striving to maintain their fellowship in a dilapidated building. Fast forward, by the grace of God, that small fellowship of members worshiping in a subpar building has grown in membership and ministry over these past 37 years, and our story is just beginning!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has not been smooth. It’s been full of many ups and downs and ins and outs. Please remember that this ministry started for me at the early age of 15! I was barely out of my family home when I answered the call not knowing what would lie ahead in the future. Twice, I left my comfort zone to operate in leadership. I left not knowing where I would live, how I would survive, and what struggles and difficulties I would meet down the road. However, God was with me through it all! Christ guided our footsteps and provided me with a loving wife who supported the ministry and call on my life. It wasn’t easy for her either. She left her family, and all that was familiar to her to answer the call as well. We left our families, our homes, our jobs, and our friends to rise to the challenge set before us, and God gave us good success. When we arrived in Cleveland, we had no more than 10 members, and most were children. As I mentioned before, the building had many issues which we struggled to address over the years. But by the grace of God, in 2007, we completed the construction of the building we now worship in, located at 1178 E. 79th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44103. Furthermore, in just a few months, we will celebrate the multi-million-dollar addition to the building, which has been constructed to house a larger membership and to better serve the community. As we have continued to trust and serve God, members have been added to the church, those small children have developed into successful adults who remain as faithful stewards in God’s house, and the older saints have now passed on but left a wonderful legacy of love, service, and longevity.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a minister of the gospel, my primary focus is to preach and teach the word of God to men and women everywhere! As the pastor of Shiloh Temple, my role is to lead and grow the body of believers assigned to the church and to grow the ministry of Jesus Christ. At the core, I am a servant, and that is what I do. I specialize in serving God and His people! The ministry of Shiloh Temple is known by its mission, which is to encourage people to embrace the word of God, both Old and New Testament scriptures, to become true disciples of Christ. This is the focus and goal of every operation of our church. Also, Shiloh Temple church has been wonderfully graced by God to enjoy many gifts and talents of its members, including our youth ministry as well as our music ministry. However, it is my humble opinion that our genuine love for God is the main attraction.
Alright, so before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Shiloh Temple House of God is a church on the move! As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to minister healing, love, and support among its members and neighboring communities, we are always in need of financial support. One of the reasons for adding to the current facility is to ensure the space and resources necessary to serve those in need. We can’t do it alone and welcome your aid. In addition, we are known to engage in mission work locally and internationally. These activities will post on our website at www.shiloh-temple.org. We are open to volunteer services and donations of items necessary to meet the needs of those in our community and abroad. If anyone would like to give a financial donation, volunteer for various programs/missions, or simply donate items that can be distributed to those in need, please feel free to contact us at 216-881-2979 or by email at info@shiloh-temple.org.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shiloh-temple.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shilohtemplehouseofgod
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/shilohtemplehouseofgod
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@ShilohTempleHOG
Image Credits
John Stewart Sr.
Michael Cummings Jr.
