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Birthing a Vision
In
the summer of 1997, Reverend Shaheerah Stephens became very still. For three
months she waited for God’s voice, call, and direction. God placed a divine
name in Reverend Shaheerah’s mind: Transforming Love Community
(TLC). The name resonated with Reverend Shaheerah but she did not know what God
planned for this ministry. Did God mean center?
Was the ministry to be an institution, a structure that housed a spiritual community?
The mission of Transforming Love Community was not clear. As
Reverend Shaheerah prayed and meditated, the vision became evident. Love is Transforming. God is Love. (I John 4:7) The ministry would impact the community and be a place where love transforms lives. The Bible would be taught with special emphasis on the teachings of Christ.
Members would practice Truth principles and show up in their families and in the community as the Christ. TLC transcends tradition, is centered in Christ and is spirit-filled.
Humble Beginnings
On October 19, 1997, Transforming Love Community, with Reverend Shaheerah Stephens as its founding
pastor, held its first service in a ballroom at University of Detroit-Mercy in Detroit,
Michigan over 500 people attended. Her dear
friend, Iyanla Vanzant, spoke and the house was packed. In the beginning, there
were no members. Karen Baldwin served as TLC’s keyboard player, Pat Rencher
was Rev.’s right arm. The church literally was in a box carried in Pat
Rencher’s car. Rev. Shaheerah had quite a reputation already for her speaking,
teaching and workshop-leading gifts, and through word of mouth, the ministry began to grow.
In 1998, the Wisdom Council, serving as TLC’s Board of Directors, was appointed.
The founding Wisdom Council members were Cecelia Wallace, Dr. Schavi Ali, Della Woodall, Patricia Rencher, Brooke McCauley,
and Elizabeth Godwin. In 1998, Duane Parham joined the ministry as TLC’s
Minister of Music and brought with him the finest spiritual musicians in the world.
Our First Home
In 1999, Transforming Love Community moved to its present location, 15400
Plymouth Road. The ministry continued to grow. As a result of this growth, volunteer TLC Ministries were established, the ministries
include: Announcements Ministry, Birthday Ministry, Children’s Ministry,
Couple’s Ministry, Consciousness of Wealth Ministry, Finance Ministry, Mailing
Angels Ministry, Ushers and Greeters Ministry, Wellness
and Bereavement Ministry, and Public Relations Ministry.
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