Echad Temple Oneness Ministries (ETOM) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded by Bishop St. Hylton R.J Coombs and Pastor Luciana Coombs, in Atlanta, Georgia USA. Currently we have been relocated to Wisconsin where we are hoping to expand our ministry as the Lord leads. Our holistic approach includes community outreach, prison and hospital missions, children and youth programs, discipleship training, and Bible studies. We aim to establish divinity schools to equip ministry workers and spread the gospel worldwide. Our vision extends to global evangelism, reaching regions across the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
The Vision: The vision for Echad Ministries was given to me in 2004, envisioned as a Bible-based institute encompassing various ministries. In 2014, we began actualizing this vision, starting services in our home and continuing to evangelize the gospel of salvation as inspired by the Lord. It’s pertinent to elaborate on the significance of the term “Echad” and enlighten those with similar beliefs about its importance in the Bible.
The Bible emphatically asserts the oneness of God. In Deuteronomy 6:4, Moses proclaims, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.” From a disciple’s perspective, James 2:19 reinforces this truth, stating, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble!.”
Oneness Apostolic doctrine underscores Jesus as the one true God. Romans 6:5 speaks of Gentiles being grafted into the family of salvation. The history of Israel illustrates God’s original intention for them to be His people, but they failed in their calling. Despite this failure, God promised to restore His kingdom to Israel after their repentance. Jesus invited Israel to repent and announced the arrival of the Kingdom of heaven.
However, when Jesus revealed Himself as the promised King, He was rejected by the Jews, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. Consequently, Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach the gospel of the Kingdom to all nations. Paul extended this message to the Gentiles, who became partakers of the promises to Abraham through faith. Romans 11 elucidates the grafting of Gentile believers into the olive tree of God’s people, signifying the formation of the Church. This incorporation of Gentiles into God’s people fulfills His covenant with Israel, demonstrating His redemptive plan for both Jews and Gentiles.
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares to Simon Peter, “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” This passage unequivocally establishes Christ as the builder and founder of the New Testament church, affirming it as His own. Any institution claiming to be a church but not founded by Christ cannot rightly be called His church. This truth is echoed in the Old Testament by David, who proclaimed, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Psalm 127:1). In the New Testament, we learn that the “house of God is the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15). Thus, if the Lord did not establish the house (church), the labor of those who built it was in vain. Jesus also warns, “Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15:13). Therefore, no one should align themselves with any spiritual household, religious plant, or church initiated by man. True membership belongs to the church Christ established.
Legalism, often associated with holiness churches, emphasizes strict adherence to laws and judgment of others’ spirituality based on legalistic standards. While certain moral standards are universally upheld by Christians, legalism becomes problematic in debatable areas where personal convictions differ. Romans 14 advises against judging others in such matters, emphasizing individual freedom within scriptural boundaries. Echad Apostolic Ministries (EAM) stands against legalism, advocating for a responsible approach to Christian living centered on redemption through Jesus Christ. Our mission encompasses community outreach, discipleship, and evangelism, aiming to spread the gospel globally.
During the Welsh Revival of 1904-05, many were converted, leading to the establishment of churches like ‘The Evangelical Church’, Penygroes. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit during this revival emphasized repentance and transformed lives. Repentance, an integral aspect of salvation, entails reviewing one’s actions, feeling contrition, and committing to personal change. Acts 2:38 underscores the importance of repentance and baptism for the remission of sins. The Apostolic movement, originating from Jesus’ commission to His disciples, emphasizes repentance and the proclamation of the gospel to all nations.