Life Esteem Ministries, founded in 1994 by Rev. Nathaniel Gadsden and First Lady Patricia Gadsden, was first named Christ Community Outreach Church, and located at 2209 N. Second Street, Harrisburg, PA. The house church quickly gained attention of a few loyal members, who helped to spread the word about the Sunday morning Worship Service. The growing congregation was moved to the United Methodist Neighborhood Center, 1801 N. 3 rd Street in Harrisburg. The congregation was made aware thatone of the largest churches in the Greater Harrisburg area, located across the Susquehanna River in Camp Hill, PA., is also named Christ Community Outreach Church. The decision was made to change our name to Imani African Christian Church. Imani, which means Faith in the African language Swahili, is the last principle celebrated during Kwanzaa. Our church was founded as a Christian Church which also practiced Kwanzaa principles 365 days a year. This was an easy decision for our congregation, because our core members were people like Claude Lewis, Esq. and his wife Robin Lewis, Esq., Ron Harden and his wife Carol Harden, Phil Ayers, Esq., Ms. Esther Edwards, Marcia Reeves, Rev. Bill White and his wife Carla White, Barbara Moore, Mary Swanson, Chonita Green, Diane Washington, Darlene Irving, Rev. Norma Kinley-Barber, and many other community leaders who were truly dedicated to the development of the African American Community. After a few years, Imani African Christian Church decided to move back to 2209 N. Second Street. Rev. Nathaniel Gadsden and First Lady Patricia Gadsden had moved out of the house, and the congregation decided that the space was large enough and more convenient for multiple church activities. The move drew more members to the Imani African Christian Church, and the Elders knew we needed to find a larger space to maintain our steady growth, which included many young children and pre-teens. First Lady Patricia Gadsden put forth a plan to the congregation to purchase the vacant Hooper’s Funeral Home, which was built by Mrs. Millicent Hooper, a pioneer in the funeral industry, and a noted community icon. The building was purchased by the Gadsden’s with the idea that the church congregation would eventually become the owners of the property. Imani African Christian Church occupied the building at 1416 Cumberland Street, Harrisburg, for almost ten years. Unfortunately, the congregation began to experience attrition mostly through death, and families moving out of the area. The decision was made to sale the building and search for alternative, less expensive space to hold our services and programs. Over a five-year period, Imani African Christian Church moved into the Hispanic American Community Center, The Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg, and the Derry Street United Methodist Church. The Derry Street United Methodist Church was an ideal location and a challenging location at the same time. The space allowed Imani A.C.C. to have its own sanctuary, and use of the larger church building for many activities. The challenge with Derry Street U.M.C., the location was in a crime-ridden, drug-infested area, which was not appealing to some of our members. Just when we thought we had found a space that would be our home for many years, the United Methodist Church governing body decided to close ten of their church buildings in Harrisburg. Derry Street U.M.C. was on that list and we had to move out once again. As God is our guide and keeps his promise “To never leave us or forsake us.” Imani African Christian church was welcomed to 3600 Vartan Way, Harrisburg, and introduced to a dynamic church called Living Springs Redeemed Christian Church of God, and their gifted Pastor, Tunde Oyelowo. The membership, which is more than 1000, is 95% from the continent of Africa. Living Springs has two main campuses, which are one block away from each other. The campus at 3608 Progress Ave., is less than a year old, and houses the French Speaking and Spanish speaking congregations. Imani African Christian Church until five years ago was always an independent, non-denominational church. Currently we are a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and we have changed our name to Life Esteem Ministries, which reflects a more universal outreach while still maintaining our original focus of Following the command of Jesus in Matthew 25:34 – 46 and incorporating the principles of Kwanzaa in our Christian faith walk. Our Worship service is every Sunday morning, 11:00a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Our worship service is on Facebook Live, Nathaniel Gadsden’s page. Soon the Worship Service will be broadcast live on Google.