Historical Information
The vision God gave me in 1985 did not begin as a vision for a church. The vision that was planted deep within my spirit was and still is centered in commitment to God's purpose and plan no matter the cost, personal failures, disappointments, along the way.
It was during the year 1985 that God spoke to me of my hopeless state and that of mankind, outside a relationship with Him. I had long ago surrendered my life to His will, so that was not the issue, but He was revealing to me the necessity of having greater intensity for Him. (His Word, will and purpose)
Early one morning, I shared with my roommate Abram that I was going to take a walk. At the time, we were sharing an apartment near the Santa Monica/West Los Angeles border, just East of the 405 at the 10 freeway. I got up one Saturday morning and walked for approximately three hours seeking God and His direction for my life (I started at about 4:30) and completely unprepared for what was to happen next.
As I turned one corner, heading back home, I found myself in the midst of a group of people who seemed to number in the hundreds. They all wore long gowns of various colors and moved back and forth in what appeared to be prayer. The thing that arrested my attention was the fact that they moved around in complete silence. I stood there in their midst for awhile just watching them (they didn't even appear to notice me) no one said a word or acknowledged me with a smile or even eye contact.
It was just then that I asked God what was I to make of this. He revealed to my spirit that all of these people are searching for the meaning of their existence and, that it couldn't in fact, be found where they were looking. It was just then that a bell rang and they began to move around at their previous speeds, shouting and singing to a foreign god.
God spoke to my heart that their state (condition) is hopeless outside of a relationship with Him. Oh, I forgot to tell you the reason for my early walk was nervousness about "The Call." God had informed me earlier in that week that I was to preach His Word and that it was to start this particular Saturday. So, I made my way back to the apartment recalling the things I had seen.
As the time drew nearer for the first official preaching opportunity, I began to think of all the locations to begin a preaching ministry. I would have NEVER chosen the spot God had in mind for me, the corner of Broadway and Manchester in the heart of Watts (a.k.a. South Central Los Angeles). I thought God, is this some joke (knowing in my heart He was right). What about Santa Monica? Now that's a nice spot! I even began to quote scripture (His Word) to Him. "Lord, You're ...not a respecter of persons." So how about The Miracle Mile District near Beverly Hills? My selfish thoughts were useless, since I had committed to His Word, plan and purpose for my life.
Abram and I drove to the street corner in Watts and arrived 10 minutes before my starting time. (You see, God spoke to my heart to start at 12 noon for at least 1 hour). The message I shared was the same for two and one half years, every Saturday, without fail. The scripture: John 3:16 rang out like clockwork!
He never disappointed me, no not ONCE. The fear (God didn't give it to me, of that I'm sure), I had and I do mean fear was of the Crips and Bloods. I was called to their backyard, this rookie preacher with a shirt and tie and tracks to hand out to the lost. There were occasions when I would be preaching and the gang members would drive by and stare at me, and because of God's presence, turn down their music. It was awesome. Although one tried to splash curb water on me after rain had built up from the previous nights rain, but I saw him coming and jumped out of the way just in time (as he and I both smiled as he passed by).
There were a number of people saved on that corner and I continued to be grateful that He allowed me to be a part of it. I do want to share one occasion with you. I was preaching "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." and this woman came up to me and just waited until I took a breath. Standing behind her with a baby in the stroller was a man, later identified as her husband. He was standing there with a brown paper bag in his hand, clutching it ever so tightly. She motioned to him to come closer, at which point he asked me if I was a preacher. And his wife with a look of disbelief said, "Just look at him. Can't you tell? He's a man of God," at which point I was embarrassed for him and myself. Him because of his expression, me because of the feeling of unworthiness, because I too am a sinner saved by grace, now called a man of God Oh! His Grace and Mercy. Anyway, as he put his head down, I asked if he wanted anything, and he said, "Jesus, but He won't take me in my condition" pointing to his bag which contained beer. I seized the door of opportunity, God had opened and began to share Jesus with him. When the Holy Spirit was through, this man received Jesus into his heart as Lord and Savior, Oh!!! What a day that was...the man's wife, already a believer, hugged me, and the three of them walked down the street rejoicing.
Well, after the two and one half years were up, I was blessed with a job traveling as an auditor (around the world). It was at this job (Headquarters' Office) that God revealed two important aspects of my next ministry assignment. I was traveling to places like Paris France, London and Brighton Beach in England, twice a year as well as extensively throughout the United States, Manhattan, Chicago, Denver, and Tampa. You name it; I've visited the spot. The strangest thing happened though. While in Paris, instead of visiting the world-renown landmarks, I was in my room crying because of the burden for the lost in the city I happened to be visiting at the time. I knew in my spirit that God was intensifying the call to full time ministry. Showing me what was truly important (of lasting value).
God had allowed me to meet this woman at the company's headquarters' office that had a call to missionary work. She dressed very modestly and really seemed to love the Lord. Whenever I would travel out of the country, I would bring her something back like coins, or a picture of that particular place. She always appeared to be so grateful for even the smallest of gifts (I found that to be very pleasant)
Never had I even considered her as a mate, but God had her in mind as the one who would help me in the call to full time service. Two years after our meeting, my wife and I were married (I'm getting ahead of myself). The call to service intensified, but no door opened, until one day. I was called back from an audit in San Francisco and was informed the company was down sizing and since I had less seniority than the other team members, I was being let go. Rather than becoming angry or sad, I knew this was the answer to prayer!!! I walked around to the opposite side of the office building and informed my soon to be wife (within 5 months) that I got the go ahead from the Lord to move into full time ministry. And true to form, she said, "Praise God! Sweet Heart." To this day, I think my old manager still wonders what was Jimbo (that's what he called me) on, since I didn't become upset, and others in two other units became irate! FAITH Walk-Ministries was given birth that day. The call to become a full time evangelist had started at last! Monday, January 28, 1991!
The first door to full time ministry that opened was in Seattle, Washington. Prior to leaving, my soon to be wife asked if I had told my parents that I was in full time ministry, to which I said "No." I knew they must be told, so I called their home and my mother answered, and as I told her she said, "Yes, I know." She had called the company to see if I was still there. You see, my dad, who never to the best of my knowledge had a dream, he woke up one morning and told my mother, "James is in full time ministry." So I confirmed it and told of my trip to Seattle.
Time passed, and my wife and I began a fellowship commitment in San Gabriel Valley. I was blessed to visit India while my wife watched our 1st daughter (9 months old) and was two months pregnant with our second daughter . The trip to India was life changing. I had come back knowing that after years of an evangelistic ministry with radio broadcast and everything else; I was being asked to do more.
My wife, daughter and I stayed in seclusion for months, and out of that God birthed FAITH Walk Christian Church. A place where people who would desire more of God at any cost (forsaking all for the Cross), with a burning hunger for the lost, could come and learn and serve.
We found a place to hold services after much prayer. A little unknown, but very nice hotel in Ontario, California. We remained there for 7 months, until one Friday evening, we were notified by telephone that the hotel was in the process of being sold to a major chain. We had one week to find another place to hold services, since the new owner's didn't want any churches holding services in their building.
God performed a miracle. There were four small churches looking for a larger place to hold services, and we were the fifth to find out about it. The Word says the last will be first, I know that to be a fact, because the church that was last (FAITH Walk) was given the building. None of the other churches could qualify. Praise God!!!
We have outgrown this location after almost four years, and are patiently looking and waiting for God to open the next door. But in the meantime, he has given us a new 1999 fifteen (15) passenger van to pick up people who otherwise would not be able to attend church services. (Note: We have already placed an order for a new 2000, twelve-passenger van-God is good!).
Tribulations we've experienced. But God has ALWAYS provided. We continue to be committed without compromise. Sharing with the lost the utter hopelessness of living a life outside a relationship with Jesus. What God has called us to do, is far from completion. We have not arrived. We have only begun. I refuse to be left behind, and I am just as committed today as I was that cold Saturday morning I mentioned to you earlier.
Whatever He wants of me, of this Church called FAITH Walk - He will receive!!! The reason is simple: It's His Church.
This Church is and will remain Jesus Christ Centered-Holy Spirit Led.
NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST HER WILL PROSPER!!!
Under-Shepherd and Pastor,
James Riggins
