|
|
History of The CUP Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. |
Summary
The CUP had its beginnings in 1981 when Bishop Vernice Seriale, Sr. founded and organized St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church. Standing on the Word of God, "Your tradition has made the word of God of none effect," Bishop Seriale followed the Will of God and renamed St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church to the Houston Christian United People's Center in 1992.
The CUP is a full five-fold ministry operating in the Apostolic, Prophetic, Evangelic, Pastoral and Teaching offices. Because of his continued obedience to the Father and being sold to Jesus Christ, God has blessed and continues to bless Bishop Seriale and The Cup wonderfully. Bishop Seriale would not give anything for this journey and proclaims:
"Look what the Lord has done with the beginnings of just a few people. This is the miracle of God! I cannot wait to see where He's taking us in the 21st century. Let us Celebrate Jesus!"
The Full Story
After pastoring God's people at St. Mark's Baptist Church, God spoke to His servant, Pastor Vernice Seriale, Sr., saying, "My people are being destroyed for the lack of knowledge, for their traditions have made My Word of non-effect. So I charge thee, my servant, to bring My people back to Me, so that they may worship Me in truth and in spirit; bring them out of bondage that they may know Me, JEHOVAH EL SHADDAI, GOD of all sufficiency!"
Given that charge, a call was made and 12
people who accepted the call met one rainy, cold, wintry night of February 6,
1981, with the late Reverend Pruitt officiating the organizing of
St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church.
The first service was held that following Sunday in the Sunnyside Elementary School's cafeteria. Twenty members united that day. The next Sunday, 13 joined, afterwhich, services were moved to Fairchild Elementary School. God spoke to Pastor Seriale in his spirit, "I will fill My House with flocks of men." Services continued at Fairchild until late October 1981. With 175 determined members who had a mind to work, the members were able to place a $10,000 deposit on a church building located at 6710 LaPaseo. This move took place seven months after conception.
The more St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church was fed God's Word, the larger the ministry grew. Old things passed away and new lives grew and matured because of the Word.
Starting out with just a few, God turned the congregation into an abundance because God promised that the ministry's work would be that of a multitude. Again God spoke to Pastor Seriale, directing Pastor Seriale to speak to the people and say, "We are moving." In order for the visions that were entrusted to Pastor Seriale at a young age, the church had to move. With just over 300 people with just as much determination, the ministry moved from the house at 6710 LaPaseo with a seating capacity of 100 to a new house at 149 Winkler Drive with a seating capacity of over 6,000. The ministry came into this building with thanksgiving because His Word was fulfilled as spoken in Joshua 24:13,
| "I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant." |
The move to 149 Winkler Drive took place on April 19, 1991. Since then, many great moves by God have taken place. The gathering of His people from many foreign countries and cultural backgrounds has taken place. Ministries that were spoken have transpired and continued to grow. Yet, God has said, "YOU HAVE NOT SEEN NOTHING YET!"
To be a ministry for all the people, Pastor Seriale changed to name from St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church to the Houston Christian United People's Center, or The CUP, in 1992. The CUP is organized for the purpose of bringing uncommon people together for a common cause -- To Worship God!
The CUP - The 1st Century Church for the 21st Century -
Breaking Religious, Racial and National Barriers