In 1996 while acting as a Pulpit Minister under Rev. Benjamin Stanley Baker of the New Light Baptist Church, founding Pastor, Ocie L. Brown, Jr., received a call from God to begin a new church. After he discussed the matter with his pastor, he began to hold meetings with several of those that he considered his closest friends concerning his calling. In October of 1996 the small group wrote up cooperation papers and decided on a name for this New Church: Universal Transformation Ministries.
Vision: To teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people, so that the word of God may transform their lives to spread the good news throughout the world.
Mission:
Purpose:
Location History:
They found a building to hold services in on James Couzens. In February of 1997 the church held its’ Covenant Service. Rev. Horace Sheffield III was the speaker. There was standing room only; many of the members and friends of New Light Baptist were in attendance.
At that point, the work of the Lord truly began. The church remained in that small location for two years, until it moved to a slightly larger space few doors away. Two years later, Universal Transformation Ministries purchased its’ first building, which is still used today at 19901 James Couzens.
Leadership: UTM is overseen by Pastor Linda Brown since the passing of her husband, Ocie L. Brown Jr. Also his son Joseph, and daughter-in-law Chelsea are active members in the church. Together, with the other church members, they continue to carry on the vision of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Excerpt from the obituary of founding Pastor Ocie Brown:"Ocie went home to be with the Lord on Thursday -March 23, 2017 after a long battle with Dementia. He was preceded in his transition by his daughter, Stacey; granddaughter, London: and his parents."