Churches of the Apostolic Revival International
Headquarters:
1207 Angier Avenue
Durham, North Carolina 27701
919-638-1496


Presiding Apostle John A. Bennett
(click to read biography)

The Church of the Apostolic Revival (C.A.R.) was born in May 1990 when a humble group of dedicated believers, led by the anointed and appointed Pastor John A. Bennett of Washington, D.C., came together in the Durham apartment of one of the members to hold its first service. In June 1990, C.A.R.'s seven initial members had to relocate to the McDougald Terrace Recreation Center, where they faithfully praised, prayed, and Pastor Bennett preached on the only day they were allowed to meet at the public facility, Sunday. Despite restrictions on meeting times, their lack of an organ, baptismal pool, and other house-of-worship amenities, the Lord met the saints there every Sunday at "The Center." It was prophesied that God would do a "quick work" in this ministry, and indeed He did, as the powerful weekly services began to touch and influence the lives of the surrounding McDougald Terrace residents and students of nearby North Carolina Central University. C.A.R. began to experience phenomenal growth, as souls were saved, bonds were broken, and people were baptized in the nearest local swimming pool, when necessary, as "the Lord added to the church daily, such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).
 

Two years after its inception, in February of 1992, C.A.R. again relocated, this time to 810 North Mangum Street and Mission Place.  The new address proved to be prophetically symbolic for C.A.R., as the motto became “Mangum 8 & 10 is the service to be in”. They enacted a zealous mission of community outreach by establishing the ministries of evangelism, radio broadcasting, visitation of the sick, and a food bank for the less fortunate, all of which flourished. Their most important mission of spiritual outreach also saw great progression and expansion during this time, with the acquisition of an additional building in Wilson, NC and the joining of several other established churches to the ministry. These, along with C.A.R., now form District #2 of the North Carolina Diocese of the Bible Way Church of our Lord Jesus Christ Worldwide.

 
With its ever-increasing membership, it was again time to move!  As the saints sought the Lord for land on which to build, they were made aware of the sale of Peace Missionary Baptist Church before the building ever became available to the public. The decision was made to purchase the property, and the church family moved to 1212 East Main Street in June 1995. A dedication service officiated by Apostle Huie L. Rogers, presiding Apostle of the Bible Way Church of our Lord Jesus Christ Worldwide, was held on September 14, 1996. Since such time, membership has grown to upwards of 300 souls. It was also in this year of 1996 that Pastor Bennett answered the Lord's call on his life to apostleship, from when he established the Church of the Apostolic Revival in Franklinton, NC in August (dedicated in March 1997), as well as the Apostolic Bible Institute, wherein he instructs students in the seeking of a more in-depth understanding of the revelatory Word of God.
 
Two years later, in 1998, most miraculously, God allowed financial prosperity to the point where within four years of securing the 1212 East Main Street location, they were able to "burn the mortgage" on the property, and now hold complete ownership. Pastor Bennett refused to stop at this point and kept with the progressive move of the Lord upon his life and the boundless ministry He called him to found just over ten years ago. Pastor Bennett was Godly-favored to acquire 17 acres of undeveloped land in Durham in 2001. The Church of the Apostolic Revival is anticipating the building of their permanent edifice on this dedicated property in the future, but at present, the Church of the Apostolic Revival has directed us to acquired an old newspaper building on the corner of Holman Street and Angier Avenue which is right behind the 1212 E Main Street location.
While renovations of this new edifice to seat 1200 or more souls were underway, 11:00am Sunday worship services were being held at the B.N.Duke Auditorium on North Carolina Central University’s campus because of the enormous growth of the congregation.
 
In June of 2007, C.A.R. had their first service in the new edifice in the building on the corner of Holman Street and Angier Avenue.  The purchase of this property was another step into the vision that God has lead Apostle Bennett to build: “The Apostolic City of Refuge.” that promises to meet the spiritual and natural needs of our city and community. God will abundantly bless and supply us with more than enough for our families, businesses, and personal goals as we corporately participate in the erection of the Apostolic City of Refuge and remain steadfast in the Apostles’ doctrine.