Our Stories
Every church has a story.
Some chapters are filled with bold beginnings. Others tell of growth, perseverance, innovation, outreach, and deeper connection. Together, they reveal the unmistakable hand of God leading His people every step of the way.
These stories are woven into the very fabric of the community, echoed in the laughter of children, the heartfelt hymns, and in the quiet moments of reflection during prayer. The walls of the church hold memories of weddings and baptisms, celebrations of new life and love, and the solemn farewells of those who have passed on. Each event, each gathering, adds a new layer to the church's rich tapestry.
The church is not just a building; it is a living testament to the faith and dedication of its congregation. It serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking solace and guidance, and a place where friendships are forged and strengthened. In its pews, people from all walks of life come together, united by a shared belief and a desire to support one another through life's joys and challenges.
As the years go by, the story of the church continues to unfold, with each member contributing a verse to its ongoing narrative. Whether through acts of kindness, shared wisdom, or simply being present, everyone plays a part in shaping the legacy that will be passed down to future generations. And so, the story of the church lives on, a testament to the enduring faith and love of its people.
A Pioneer of Digital Ministry
Before worship services could be watched from a phone, before live streams became a familiar part of church life, Michael Porter, a digital media pioneer began imagining something that felt almost impossible: carrying the message of the church beyond its walls through the internet.
It was the late 1990s, a period when online video was still experimental and the simple act of listening or watching over the web could be interrupted by slow connections, buffering, and technical limits. Yet within those limits, Michael Porter saw possibility. After discovering the streaming capabilities of Windows Media, he recognized that church services did not have to remain confined to the sanctuary. They could be transmitted live, reaching members, seekers, and families wherever an internet connection could carry the signal.
With the support of Pastor Phaull, Porter and the team began moving from idea to implementation around 1997 and 1998. The work was not simple. Early bandwidth could support only a limited number of viewers, and network bottlenecks could quickly slow the experience. But the response from the church community was immediate and encouraging. What began as a technical experiment became a glimpse of a new kind of ministry—one that could travel across distance in real time.
From that first step, the vision widened. The initiative grew into WKBT radio, an online station that functioned much like an early podcasting and internet radio platform of today. Its programming included pre-recorded sermons, music, Bible studies, drama ministry presentations, and rebroadcasts such as “Bible Answers Live.” Over time, the station found a steady host in Lauren John, with contributions from Elder Pamela Lindo, Elder Ketsia Dorce, Esther Brooks and Correy and Vanessa Blake. We incorporated the village of KBT with tidbits from various ministries and voices not always heard. It went from a simple idea to a Friday night opportunity to open the Sabbath beyond "Family”.
Each person added a piece to the larger story: a story of volunteers and innovators using the tools available to them to serve a mission larger than technology itself.
Long before digital ministry became common language, Kingsboro Temple was creating a space where faith, teaching, and testimony could be heard beyond a single congregation.
Today, when live streams, online sermons, and digital radio feel ordinary, it is easy to forget how uncertain those early efforts once were. But the work of Porter, Pastor McPhaull, and the WKBT team anticipated a future that would later become essential to churches everywhere.
Their early experiments helped show that digital media could become more than a novelty; it could become a ministry tool, a bridge to the absent, the distant, and the searching.
Their story stands as an early chapter in the history of Adventist online broadcasting—a reminder that innovation often begins quietly, with a question, a tool, and the courage to try something new.
-story contributions by Michael Porter and Lauren John
image from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
