From a Holiday Inn with seven people to 1,000+ weekly across two campuses — this is the story of His Tabernacle Family Church.
In 1996, Pastor Micheal Spencer — an evangelist at the time — was in Oneida, TN conducting a series of miracle services. During a moment of prayer, the voice of God spoke to him clearly: start a church in Horseheads, NY. He was hesitant. A year later, during another series in that same place, the Spirit spoke again. Still, he held back.
Then, in the early fall of 1997, while mowing a large lawn, God spoke one more time — and the message was simple: "I want them to know that I love them." From that moment, the journey began.
They started with Bible studies while Pastor Spencer continued traveling and preaching. In February 1998, His Tabernacle Family Church officially launched at the Holiday Inn in Horseheads — Pastor Micheal, Rhonda Spencer, and five others. Within a little over a year, they had already outgrown it.
What followed was a string of miracles: a Catholic bank manager who believed when three others said no, a stranger named Mr. Lawrence who lent $7,000 at closing when lawyers made an error, a Mennonite builder who constructed 30,100 square feet at $25 per square foot, and a $1.1 million loan secured with just a $5,000 down payment. From an old soda fountain to a cornfield — God provided every step.
Pastor Micheal Spencer receives a divine call — three times — to plant a church in Horseheads, NY. The final word: "I want them to know that I love them."
His Tabernacle Family Church launches at the Holiday Inn in Horseheads with Pastor Micheal, Rhonda Spencer, and five others.
The church outgrows Brown's Pharmacy and the old Craft/Pump Shop at 70 Old Ithaca Rd. They use a local elementary school during the week and hold multiple Sunday services to keep up with attendance.
A 30,100-square-foot sanctuary is built on cornfield property at 16 Level Acres Dr. — the first building the church could truly call its own.
The Ithaca campus opens at 609 West Clinton Street, led by Campus Pastors Dennis and Capri Prentice.
His Tabernacle now ministers to over 1,000 people weekly and is a spiritual home for over 1,300 individuals — with people coming from Chemung, Steuben, Schuyler, Tompkins, and Cortland County.
Bishop Micheal Spencer officially transitioned the leadership of His Tabernacle Family Church to Pastors Cody and Mindy Spencer. What began with a divine call in 1996 now enters its next chapter — the same mission, the same heart, and a new generation stepping forward to carry it.
We exist to love God with everything we have, reach people who are far from Him, and develop fully devoted followers of Jesus. His Tabernacle is designed to be a multi-site, regional gathering place where thousands from every culture experience God's love and are equipped to make a difference in every sphere of life.
Five values that shape everything we do — every service, every ministry, every relationship.