As a child, Carmen Hickley attended the Church of God by Faith in Daytona Beach, Florida with her family.  Over the years, pastors of this church included: Elders Nathaniel Scippio (founding father), Theodore Brown (Ruling Elder), Walter Camp, Clarence McKnight and Johnny Seay.  In 1979, Carmen moved to Springfield, MA where some of her other relatives resided.  Although she attended a church in the area, Hickley missed the “by Faith” fellowship to which she had grown accustomed.  When her brother, Luther Hickley -- also a “by Faith” baby -- joined her in Springfield, in 1987, it wasn’t long before they decided to make strides toward starting a Church of God by Faith (COGBF) mission.  

 

Carmen and Luther, along with other family members, began worshipping among themselves.  At times, they gathered in halfway houses and had services with the residents.  But what they needed, was a pastor.  Eventually, Elder Johnny Seay (the COGBF National Evangelist, at the time) and Arthur Wimberly came to Springfield to conduct a two week revival, and to instruct them on how to go about establishing a mission. 

 

Around 1990, the Hickleys contacted Elder Dr. Sherman Roberts, the COGBF Northeastern District Superintendent.  Elder Roberts prayed, and was led to ask Minister Theodore N. Brown (son of Elder Theodore Brown —the Hickley’s former pastor in Daytona Beach) to shepherd the Springfield mission.  Minister Brown obediently said yes.  So, in 1991, the “Family & Friends COGBF Mission” of Springfield, MA was officially established.  Members included: Carmen (Hickley) Walker (husband John), Luther Hickley (wife Monique), Natalie Henry, DeAngelo Claiborne, Jackie Henry and their families.  And, of course, Pastor “Ted” Brown (wife Joyce) and their children.  The Brown family would commute from Orange, NJ for a year and a half before relocating to Springfield in 1993. 

 

One of the biggest struggles was finding a permanent place for worship.  The first location was an office building on St. James Ave.  After a year, or so, Luther Hickley and his family moved back to Florida.  A few years later, the building was sold.  Now the saints were worshipping in various homes.  During this time many members would come and go.

 

In 1999, Elder Herbert Burroughs, pastor of COGBF in Newburgh, NY started ministering to his family in Hartford, CT once a month.  Since Hartford was only about 25 minutes from Springfield, Pastors Brown and Burroughs would have their members come together, on occasion.  In time, with the blessings of Superintendent Roberts and Pastor Burroughs, the Hartford saints became part of the Springfield mission.  Services were held at the Holiday Inn in Hartford.  The mission was doing well.  They loved Pastor Brown.  Unfortunately, it did not last very long.

 

Pastor “Ted” Brown had become a counselor at Springfield Alternative High School.  On December 5, 2001, he was killed by one of the students.  It was a very sad time for the entire COGBF family nationwide.  But the “Family & Friends COGBF Mission” stayed together, and the members were a great support to First Lady Joyce Brown and family. 

 

In the summer of 2002, Superintendent Roberts asked Elder Robert Kent of Easton, PA and his wife, Vivian, to visit the Springfield mission to minister to its remaining congregants and keep them encouraged.  Cousins of “Ted” Brown, they willingly complied and were warmly received.  In 2003, Elder Kent was appointed Pastor.  The mission was renamed “Theodore N. Brown Memorial COGBF” (TNBM COGBF).  Through many “ups & downs” and “ins & outs”, the Kents served faithfully until 2017 when Elder Kent’s health was challenged and he was no longer able to manage a pastorship. 

 

December 17, 2017, the Springfield “mantle” was passed on to Minister Gary Dutton when COGBF presiding Bishop James E. McKnight, Jr. appointed him as Pastor.  Dutton obediently answered the call and, along with his wife, Monica, began his pastoral duties in January 2018.  Being assigned to Springfield was a special privilege for the Duttons.  The Kents were their cousins.  And, Theodore N. Brown, Springfield’s first pastor, was their beloved “Uncle Ted”.  Honored to carry on the legacy, the Duttons gladly traveled from Union, NJ, to meet and strategize with Joyce Brown (“Aunt Joyce” -- who stood strong and held on to her late husband’s vision in spite of adversity).  Weekly services were held in the home of Lenora Johnson.  

 

In March 2018, through the grace of God, Pastor Dutton and the small, but dedicated congregation “crossed the water” and obtained a building in the town of West Springfield, MA where they joyfully gathered and served until March 2021.  Closing its physical doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic that changed our world, TNBM COGBF became a church without walls and began to assemble online.  Recognizing the wonderful opportunity to "reach the masses" via the world-wide web, in January 2022, the church was renamed Mass Church of God by Faith.

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The pastor of "Shephard" Church of God by Faith, Elder Alphonso Boone (wife Lady Cleopatra Boone), was called to eternal rest on December 17, 2023.  On the same day, Dutton was called to take up the mantle and, thus, became pastor of his "home church" in Newark, NJ.  This appointment came twenty years after the passing of Elder Dr. Theodore Brown, the Duttons' grandfather and former pastor, who had lead the Newark church for over 40 years.  Now, carrying on the work of great leaders who preceded him, Pastor Dutton continuously seeks the Lord's wisdom and strategy concerning the ministry of Mass/Shephard Church of God by Faith.  

Two locations.  One goal... to represent Christ.

 

The legacy continues… We are anticipating what the Lord will do next!