CHURCH HISTORY 
 Born out of the thoughts, prayers, and efforts of two groups of people, The Holy Christian Church International and a student led organization from Mankato.  It was on December 6, 2003, that a group of people consisting of 7 students and a campus administrator decided to change the face of Mankato, MN.  It was the aim of this group to galvanize support from local churches in an effort to bring in ministers of color from the Twin Cities.  The student organization became known as the Southern Minnesota Community Faith Coalition.  Not knowing how we were going to do it, SMCFC held its first joint service here in Mankato on February 29, 2004, with Pastor Kenneth Stone as the guest preacher.  After the service, Pastor Stone encouraged SMCFC to keep pressing and informed the group that he had someone in mind that would be a perfect fit for what the organization was trying to do.  On March 6, 2004, the members of SMCFC met with (then) Pastor Wayne Felton and two of his church deacons.  Pastor Felton explained during the meeting that his church was currently on a 40 days fast and under the direction of the Holy Spirit had been praying for the city of Mankato.  It was at that meeting that The Holy Christian Church-Mankato was formed (formally named In The Word Church).  With the theme:  Having a rich relationship with God and having practical success in every area of your life”. The church held its first bible study on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 7:00 PM, and its first service was held on Sunday, March 28, 2004, at 4:00 PM.  Bible study was soon moved to Thursday evenings and held in the Centennial Student Union on the campus of Minnesota State University-Mankato, and Sunday evening Worship Service was held in the chapel of the Mankato Salvation Army.

As the year continued, major accomplishments were made.  The location of bible study was moved to the Mankato Salvation Army.  On July 17, 2004, Pastor Wayne Felton was ordained and consecrated to the office of a Bishop by the Council of Bishops.  During the month of August, the church temporarily relocated to Mankato West High School in order to start having 8:00 a.m. Worship Service.  The church also held its First Annual Family Reunion Weekend from August 27-29.  Toward the end of September, the church was able to hold 8:00 a.m. Worship Service in the Mankato Salvation Army.  The Women’s WOP Group was carried over to THCC Mankato, under the leadership of 1st Lady Felton, in November of 2004.  With the start of the Men’s MAGI group toward the beginning of December, the church started forming fellowship groups that identified more closely with the individual needs of its members.  

During the 2005 Fast, Bishop Felton established fellowship groups for single parents, married couples, and college students.  In March of 2006 THCC Mankato celebrated two years of ministry and was being positioned to do a great work in the city.  Over the next two years there were many attacks and much persecution that came against the church; but the people remained strong and continued to grow spiritually.  Towards the end of 2007 THCC Mankato began holding worship services and bible studies in the downtown Mankato Civic Center. 

By the leading of the Holy Ghost, in November of 2008; Bishop Felton sent Elder David Coffee to Mankato to be the resident Elder and Pastoral assist and soon afterward installed him as the Pastor.  
After Elder Coffee served his time, Bishop Felton was sent by GOD back to Mankato and now serves as the senior Pastor. The Church is yet growing with now over 120 persons in attendance for weekend worship and is poised to purchase land to commence the construction and expansion of her capacity to do the work of the ministry. The best is yet to come. To God belongs all of the Glory!