Judah Temple Of Deliverance Ministries
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A guest post by Howard Kessa of Floulex Web, who built this website.

The first thing I saw of Judah Temple Of Deliverance Ministries was its crest: a bishop’s mitre over a shield, a lion on one side of it and a cross on the other, two golden lions standing guard, and a red ribbon across the bottom that reads “EST. 2012.” It is a serious, regal mark, and it suits a church that takes its calling seriously. Judah Temple of Deliverance is a non-denominational church in Decatur, Georgia, and in its own words it is “an Apostolic, Prophetic, Pentecostal, and Deliverance ministry.” I want to introduce it to you the way I came to know it.

How it began

When I asked how the church started, the answer came back in one long, heartfelt paragraph. Judah Temple of Deliverance “was birthed through prayer, obedience, and a divine assignment given by God to Apostle Dr. Pernell O. Bates.” What began as a vision became a ministry “established to reach the lost, restore the broken, and empower people through the uncompromised Word of God.” One sentence in that story stayed with me, because it explains the name on the door: the ministry was founded on the belief that “God still saves, heals, restores, and sets people free.” You can read the whole story on the About page.

Meet Apostle Bates

Apostle Bates preaching with a microphone beside the pulpit
Apostle Dr. Pernell O. Bates preaching at Judah Temple of Deliverance.

Apostle Dr. Pernell O. Bates is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Judah Temple of Deliverance, and the Founder and Presiding Prelate of Judah Cathedral Fellowship of Churches. His church describes him as a devoted servant of God, a visionary leader, an author and a spiritual father. He wrote From the Tomb to the Womb, which the church calls “a powerful message of transformation, spiritual rebirth, and purpose.” Everyone calls him Pastor Pernell, and he answers a text faster than almost anyone I have worked with. When I read what he wants most, it was simple: to see lives restored, families strengthened, leaders equipped, and the Kingdom of God advanced.

Your first Saturday in Decatur

Here is something a first-time visitor should know right away: the main service is on Saturday, not Sunday. If you are thinking about going, these are the facts the church gave me:

  • Worship is every Saturday at 1:30 PM.
  • The church meets at 4467 Glenwood Rd, Suite 7, Decatur, GA 30032.
  • Park in the parking lot and come in through the front door.
  • Children stay with their families in the service.

There is a map and everything else you need on the Plan your visit page.

The week and the ministries

Members praying with raised hands during worship
Prayer during worship.

Saturday is not the only time the doors open. Bible Study meets on Wednesday at 7:30 PM, and the church also has a Women Empowerment Ministry and a Men Ministry. The photographs Pastor Pernell sent tell you what matters to this congregation: hands raised in worship, ministers praying over the people one at a time. The church’s story speaks of “an apostolic and prophetic mandate to raise leaders, strengthen families, and create an atmosphere where the presence and power of God can be experienced,” and the pictures look exactly like that. The Ministries page has more on each one.

What they believe

I will not put their beliefs in my own words, because they said them well. Their statement of faith begins: “We believe that the Word of God is the foundation upon which our faith, doctrine, worship, conduct, and ministry must stand.” The full statement is on the What we believe page.

Why I built this site

I build church websites for free. It is how I give back with the gift God gave me. When I designed this one, I took every color from the church’s own crest: the deep red of its border, the crimson of the ribbon, and the gold of its trim. The crest sits whole on the home page, right above the times, and one sentence from their story is set large in the deep red band: “God still saves, heals, restores, and sets people free.” My hope is that a neighbor in Decatur finds this site on a Saturday morning, sees the time and the address, and comes through that front door at 1:30. If you have a question before you visit, Pastor Pernell and the church would love to hear from you on the Contact page. And if you lead a church that needs a website of its own, you can read about my work at Floulex Web.