About CLW
Church History
From its very first meeting, March 15, 1974, Church of the Living Water has been a fellowship focused on loving, giving and ministering the full Gospel of Jesus Christ, and worshipping the Lord God of Israel in freedom and in truth. The church was birthed from the clear, audible call of God to its shepherd, Bryan Morrison: "Feed my sheep." At that time, travel was a hardship to the Frey Road church that most of its founding members had been attending, and there was not a non-denominational Pentecostal fellowship in Deer Park.
So that Sunday morning, nine families met at the pastor's new home to form a Christian family. Almost all the original nine men had already been ordained by other church bodies who recognized their call from God as either preacher's or deacons, so the church began with strong leadership. After committing to fast and pray concerning a name, two members independently received from the Lord particular scriptures to present to the body. These were John 8:35-36 (...out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water...) and Revelation 22. A third member had been given the clear impression of the name itself, Church of the Living Water. Through the course of the years, the physical address of the church has changed: 3449 Ash Lane, 302 East Oak, 1703 Center Street, Spencer Highway (meeting on Sunday afternoons in Christ Redeemer Lutheran's facility), and finally, "home" to 4325 W. Pasadena Boulevard.
From its inception, Church of the Living Water has been missions-minded. Initially, ten percent, and soon fifteen percent, of all income has been earmarked for missions and benevolence. Monies have gone out monthly to missions in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, South Africa, etc; as well as to apostles whom have ministered all over the nation and all over the world. Campus ministries have become a focus as well, beginning with local universities, and now including the training of student ministers nation-wide.
The very existence of Church of the Living Water is based on ministering Jesus' power to save mankind from sin, heal all diseases, deliver them from all bondage, and fill them with the Holy Spirit, so that they might manifest the power of God in these present days. God has done marvelous things the past 34 years - who knows what He will do in and through CLW before Jesus comes again? Whatever is His plan, its leaders and members are seeking His face for direction day by day. As the pastor likes to say, "We are not an independent church, we are totally dependant on God. If He doesn't show up, we won't have church!" ...and "Jesus Christ is our Master, Savior, and soon-coming King." Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.
On July 29th, 2007, Pastor Bennie Boles was installed as the Senior Pastor. Pastor Morrison took up the position of Apostle for Church of the Living Water. Pastor Bennie came to the church in 1990 after being honorably discharge from the United States Army. He served Pastor Morrison for over 18 years in various capacities from his first assignment as a 5th grade Sunday School teacher, to youth Pastor, Associate Pastor and now Senior Pastor. Pastor Bennie and his family are literally products of this ministry. His wife Christina Boles, (Clayton) has been a member of the church for most of her life. She like to remind Pastor Bennie that she was here first :)
What We Believe
GOD
God is self-existing, invisible, eternal, a Spirit, infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose and is therefore free from all limitations. Exodus 3:14-15; Hebrews 11:27; 1 Timothy 1:17, 6:16; 1 John 5:20; John 4:24; Genesis 17:1
The Father
The one true God became the Father by His acts of creation. Genesis 1:1, 1:31, 2:1-4, 5:1-2; John 1:1-5 The first commandment to Israel was, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord." Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29
The Son
The Eternal, invisible, self-existing One manifested Himself in the flesh as the only begotten of the Father, the Son of God. Isaiah 9:6, John 1:14 Virgin Born. Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:20-25 The Lamb of God. John 1:29, 1 Peter 1:19-20 The Savior. 1 John 4:9 His Name is Jesus. Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:12
the holy spirit
The one true God is a Spirit and in the New Testament age dwells in the hearts of the believers. Joel 2:28-32; John 4:21-24, 14:15-23; Acts 2:1-4 The one true God is not three persons but one Spirit. He became the Father by His acts of Creation, the Son by manifestation and is the Holy Spirit by indwelling the believers. These are not three Gods, but the three manifestations of one God. 1 John 5:7-8
the bible
We believe that the Word of God to man, is the message contained in the book know as the Holy Bible. It is the final authority on all matters for the Christian and is their guide in following Jesus Christ, our Lord. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
the word of god
God has spoken to man in times past by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son. Hebrews 1:1-2 These words of Jesus were recorded in the Holy Bible by men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit and are for our admonition. 1 Corinthians 10:11 The Bible records the words of Jesus that we might believe; and by believing we might be saved. John 20:31 Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord. Matthew 4:4 The world and all that is in it was made by the word of God. Hebrews 11:3 The word of God, the Bible, was written by men who were moved upon by the Holy Spirit of God. The words that Jesus spoke and recorded in the Holy Bible are words of life and Spirit to those that believe. John 6:63; 1 Thessalonians 2:13
creation and fall of man
By the word of God, the Bible, we find that God created man in His image, pure and perfect. By the deceitfulness of sin man fell from that condition and death entered into man. Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, 3:17-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Ephesians 2:1-4; Romans 5:12
a savior promised
The word of God, the Bible, promised a Savior-Redeemer to the fallen race of men, who will redeem them and bring them back to God. Genesis 3:15, 22:4-18; John 1:29; Acts 2:36; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Acts 3:22-23
virgin birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was born by Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Matthew 1:20-25; Isaiah 7:14; John 3:16
the lamb of god
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the perfect, sinless, sacrificial Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Genesis 22:6-14; Exodus 12:3-13; John 1:29,36; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Revelation 5:5-13
gospel of salvation
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes. Romans 1:16 The Gospel is the good news that by the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, those who believe on Him are eternally saved. Romans 8:34, 10:9
new birth
The Gospel teaches that man must be born again. John 3:3-8 whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. 1 John 5:1; 1 Peter 1:23; John 6:44-45
water baptism
The believer in Jesus Christ is commanded to be baptized by being immersed in water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mark 16:16; Matthew 3:13-15; Acts 2:38, 10:48, 19:5, 22:16, thus fulfilling Matthew 28:19. We baptize new converts in Jesus name, UNTO the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We believe this to be a picture of death of the old man...buried and raised anew into the Kingdom of God.
baptism of the holy spirit
The Gospel teaches that the believer is to be baptized with the Holy Ghost, John 16:7,13, 14:16-26; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:4,38, that this baptism is a distinct, separate and necessary experience apart from conversion, Acts 19:1-6, and that this baptism is a standard of New Testament teaching. We believe that this experience is witnessed by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. Acts 2:4, 10:44-48, 19:6
the church
The Church is that collective group of people from all nations, kindred and tongues that believe that Jesus is the Christ. The born-again man is a child of God, and it is this group of born-again believers that comprise the New Testament Church - without regard to organization, denomination or creed. The only way to get into the New Testament Church is to be born of God and be added into the church. No man can put another into nor take him out of the church. Acts 2:46