In the late 1970's, Elder Jasper Moulton migrated to Canada and was instructed by his pastor and spiritual mentor, Bishop Sydney Miller, to start a church here and become a pastor. After years of trying to escape this calling that was placed on his life, Elder Moulton was sent by Bishop Walter Bond to assist in pastoring a small Pentecostal church in the Weston Rd and Black Creek area. After a couple years he felt the call of God on his life for the Kipling area. At that time, there was only one Pentecostal church in this ar-ea. Elder Moulton contacted the Monsignor Percy Johnson Catholic Secondary School on Kipling to inquire about using the school for church services. A sister by the name of Doreen Dixon was working at the school at the time. She answered the phone and assisted Pastor Moulton in getting the chapel to rent for service.

With this directive from God, the Refuge Temple Church of the Firstborn Apostolic was birthed. The first service was held on March 17, 1991 under Pastor Moulton's leadership with 7 people in attendance.Included in the seven were Evangelist Delroy Miller, Doreen Dixon, Ann Marie martin , June Lewis, devon brown and rose sterling. A few weeks later, Sis Monica Vaughan and Sis Lorraine Hill came along. Then, Bro Allan (Val) Sterling later joined his wife and Sis Pat Brown also joined the group. These were the first members of Refuge Temple. Of the original founding members, Missionary Monica Vaughan, Deacon Val Sterling and Sister Rose Sterling have remained faithful members throughout the history of the church.

The church's first executive body consisted of Bishop Walter Bond, Evangelist Delroy Miller, Missionary Monica Vaughan (the first officer appointed at Refuge Temple) and Pastor Moulton. The church was purposed and poised to impact lives and make a difference in the community. Pastor Moulton's wife,Evangelist Monica Moulton and the children had a difficult time moving to a church that was just starting as they did not understand the call of God on his life. Evangelist Moulton can recall asking God for a sign as proof that He was in this. At the time, she was going back and forth between Church of the Firstborn, where she was the choir director, and Refuge Temple. She was asked to preach at Refuge Temple one Sunday and she asked God to do something different as she ministered as proof that this ministry was sanctioned by Him. As she ministered, one of the visitors was under the influence of the Holy Spirit and started speaking in tongues. She asked God to verify this another time and she received her confirmation and surrendered to the call to support her husband in this ministry.

Refuge Temple relocated from Monsignor Percy Johnson to St Andrew Junior School, which became the church's home for the next four years. Sunday services were held in the gymnasium and on Wednesdays, the custodian admitted the members to conduct prayer service and bible study in the library during the school year. Over the summer months, Wednesday night services were held at the North Kipling Community Center.

With aggressive evangelism, the church continued to grow and expand in membership.

Pastor Moulton and Evang. Delroy Miller

headed a team of zealous workers who were conducting outreach in the community. Sister June Lewis, an example of the woman at the well, brought many visitors to the church. Deaconess lolene Grant was one of

the individuals she brought to the church and she continued that trend. Through evan-gelism, many were added to the church. Sis Claudia Stewart was the first person to be baptized at Refuge Temple followed by Deaconess lolene "Cherry" Grant. Others, such as Missionary Stephanie Allen, the Brown's family, the McHugh's, Sherry-Ann Scott, the Prince family, Sis Plummer and her daughters, the Heath family, Sis Sandra Heron and her son Mathew, Sis. Vinette Peters and her family became part of the Refuge. Refuge continued to emphasize evangelism and that has remained a focus throughout its history. The church was and is still built on prayer, fasting and the Word of God. The prayer services were rich and dynamic as everyone would prostrate before the Lord and cry out to Him as they sought His face. What a time!!

In May of 1995, it was time for Refuge to move to a more permanent place of worship. The church once again relocated from St. Andrews Junior School to 4 Racine Rd.

That location became the church's home for over 10 years and created many memories, victories, struggles, and tremendous spiritual growth and development. Refuge hosted its first Men's Convention, Women's Convention, wed-ding, and funeral services at the Racine Rd location. Deacon ( Now Elder ) Howard Simon Sr. was appointed as the first male officer of Refuge.

He has since been elevated to the office of a minister and was a long service president of the Men's Department. Many of the young people, who have now gone on to prominent roles in the church, received the infilling of the Holy Ghost at the location affectionately referred to as Racine Rd.

Some memorable Youth Conventions were also held at this location that helped shape the church tremendously with the growth and maturity of the youths as they learned to be involved in ministry.

After years of growth, it became time for the ministry to once again transition to a new phase in its history. The goal had always been to grow the kingdom of God by having souls added to the church. In order for the ministry to reach its potential, it was evident that the church needed to own a place of worship. Pastor Moulton informed the church of the desire to purchase a building and the process was started. The acquisition of 76 Brydon

was an exercise of faith and the

REFUGE TEMPLE

witnessing of the favour of God.

God turned what seemed to be an impossibility into

76 Brydon Dr

a reality as provision was made to

get the down payment required to purchase the building. The saints got together and gave loans, donations and made pledges. In a touching demonstration of faith and support for the cause, Sis Rosmun Prescod, who was 11 years of age at the time, emptied her piggy bank, changed it out and brought approximately $300 to Pastor and stated that this was her dona-

tion. With the tithes and offerings, and special donations and sacrifices made by the saints; fundraising efforts in the form of banquets, dinners, prayer breakfasts, and donations from Praise Sanctuary and Miracle Center Ministries, we were able to come up with the down payment of $350,000. In July 2005, 76 Brydon Drive was purchased and the church was relocated into this building which has many facilities that provide a platform for greater success in ministry and enhancing the kingdom building efforts of Refuge. From a beautifully redesigned sanctuary equipped with technology to expand the church's reach, a baptismal area featuring the pool and changing rooms, a library/boardroom equipped with comput-ers, tv, books and meeting spaces, a kitchen with dining/banquet area, a room for nursing mothers and their babies, and multiple offices, 76 Brydon Dr has become all the church could have dreamed and more during its modest beginnings in a school gym.

The ministry has experienced some significant events over the years. Some of the more memorable ones include Sis Victoria Simon receiving the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues right after being baptized at the Racine Road location. In August of 1996, under the leadership of Missionary Stephanie Allen (now Elder Allen) a Youth Convention was hosted with Elder Leon Bertram as the guest preacher. 6 individuals were filled with the Holy Ghost during that convention and people were baptized in the name of Jesus. In August 2010, with Minister Curtis Prince as the Youth President, the youth choir ministered during our Annual Youth Convention and the Holy Ghost manifested in a mighty way. Everyone in the church who was baptized and not yet filled received the infilling of the Holy Ghost. In the end, a total of 11 individuals received the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues for the first time. Sinners were prostrating on the floor as they encountered God and one was heard stating "I don't know what happened to me".

Sis Claudia Stewart, who was absent that day, heard what had happened and decided to come to church that night to receive the Holy Ghost. Before the service was dis-missed, she was speaking in tongues as evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost. Elder Wayne Brown, the guest preacher for the weekend, upon seeing the move of God, felt he didn't have to preach, but God used him to deliver a word that was a tremendous blessing. What a time. Refuge history is filled with similar experiences as this close-knit body of believers have had many glorious encounters with God.

The history is still being written over 30 years later. We look on with excitement at what God has in store for Refuge Temple as we press forward. We look on with excitement at what God has in store for Refuge Temple as we press forward in His will and His work.