Our History

On June 3, 1993, thirteen called-out believers were required by God to make a major shift in their lives. This shift would not only impact the lives of their friends and family, but also the lives of all who knew them.

These thirteen were chosen to lead others out of bondage by going against worldly opposition, religious tradition, vain philosophies, ungodly concepts, and false doctrine, through obedience to God's Word.

After much prayer and discussion, the Holy Spirit directed them to form a church and to ask Minister Ann Hardman to become their pastor.

On Sunday, June 13, 1993, this group, then known as Faith Tabernacle Full Gospel Outreach Church, traveled to Buford, Ga., to Faith Free Full Gospel Church, where Bishop Richard Sampson ordained and installed Pastor Ann Hardman and the church.

Upon their return to Columbus, the first service held in Pastor Hardman's home, attracted 50 people. After several services with this type of attendance, the group found a larger place to accommodate the people.

On June 27, 1993, they found the A. J. McClung YMCA. Faith Tabernacle began holding fellowship there on Sundays, while still holding bible study in the pastor's home, until they outgrew the YMCA. On October 17, 1993, God led them to a building, previously known as the old St. John AME Church, located at 1516 Fifth Avenue in Columbus.

The ministry refurbished the building to 99 percent completion. Then on April 1, 1998, fire gutted the building and Faith Tabernacle was forced to find a new home. After conducting services under a tent, then at Shaw High School with bible studies at People's Funeral Service of Columbus, Inc., the church found an old warehouse on Brickyard Road in Phenix City. Services continued there until the church purchased the old Phenix Cinema on the 280 Bypass in October 1998.

After having grown to holding two worship services per Sunday at the new location, Pastor Hardman sought God on how to house the abundance of members. Led of the Lord, she used what was in her possession, and transitioned to the former Woodland Christian Academy in Ladonia, Alabama. On New Year's Eve night, December 31, 2001, the church held its first service at its new location 1 Layfield Drive, under its new name Faith Worship Center International.

With an ever-growing vision, Bishop Hardman expanded her vision to impacting the community by phasing into a state of the art Impact Center in Columbus, Georgia. The church went before the zoning board and the city counsel in efforts to rezone an industrial building to be used as a church and community outreach center. Silencing all opposition, the church was granted the right to do so. On April 8th, 2007, Faith Worship Center opened the doors to the Impact Center for its first worship service in the facility where weekly services and outreach are held to this day.

On January 1, 2018, history was made again when Dr. Ann Hardman passed the torch of leadership to her son, Pastor Michael Grant, Jr. to become the second senior pastor in our church history. Our church family is excited to move forward with the vision under his leadership.