On August 30th 1998, the GHCOC of Charlotte held its first Sunday Morning service in a 6 X 8 conference room at the Siskey YMCA. Four adults and four children squeezed into the tiny room to witness the start of a powerful ministry. One of our new members, Charise Jones sang "He stood right by my side." Service was turned over to Elder Haines who asked everyone to take a mental picture of where we were as he expected God to bless. His sermon, I KNOW YOU, was taken from Romans 4:24 and Acts 27:1-11. As we left Elder Haines said repeatedly, “Lets stay focused on God.” One week later we moved into the YMCA's Owens Hall, a bigger facility.

Yet another week passed and on September 13, 1998 Elder Haines’ 4th Sunday message, THIS IS THE LORD’S DOING, came from Psalms 118:19. It was so powerful that it caused two candidates to repent and surrender to baptism. Elder Haines along with the very fine Elder (then Minister) Ezekiel Haines worked back to back to baptize these candidates at New Calvary Pentecostal Church, where Elder Melvin Harding is the pastor.

Two months later the church moved into a second floor room (hence the pre-fixing title "Upper Room") equipped with indoor restrooms, kitchen, chairs, and climate control; everything a young ministry would need. Again Elder Haines said, "take a mental picture because we are still moving forward."

Not many days hence, the Upper Room relocated to its present location - 9508 Newtown Road in Waxhaw, NC - approximately 5 minutes outside of Charlotte.  The Lord also blessed Elder Haines to launch radio ministries.  Not just on one radio station, but he aired on two Gospel stations in the Charlotte area; 1600 AM and 1430 AM.  Pastor Haines can currently be heard on 1370 AM on Saturday mornings at 9:30 AM.  In addition, one can log onto www.GHCOC. net to view this great move of God. 

Once again Pastor Haines is looking to move forward. As the 2003 motto suggests, "So built we the wall…for the people had a mind to work."  The Bible says without a vision the people perish.  We have taken mental pictures and have seen the vision come to fruition.  The Upper Room GHCOC is now an established lighthouse for hungry souls.  Our motto is "Come thou with us and we will do thee good!"

 This church's very existence proves that:

"The vision is for an appointed time...though it tarry wait on it, for it shall speak and not lie."