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In 1978, on a visit to Richmond, Virginia, the Lord spoke to Randy Gilbert and asked a simple question. “Would you be willing to come here and minister to these people?” Randy (just finishing Bible school at Rhema Bible Training Center) responded and said, “Yes.” That began the process of God giving a vision to Randy and his wife, Cherie, about how He wanted them to build a church in Richmond and establish the Kingdom of God.
Still green from their Bible school graduation, Randy and Cherie with their toddler son, James, moved to Richmond, Virginia. They began seeking the Lord for how to start and where to begin meeting. God opened the door for them to meet in an old tobacco warehouse in Churchhill for only $1 rent each month. Easter Sunday, April 6, 1980 marked the very first service of Faith Landmarks Ministries. (At this time, the church had no name). There were 13 people in attendance, and the church met there for two months. By the end of two months, the congregation had grown to 20 members, and FLM moved to Holiday Inn North on Route 1. It was here that FLM’s children’s ministry and bookstore were started. In May of 1980, Pastor Randy quit secular occupation and went into the full-time ministry. It was a step of faith to build a fledgling church without much income, but God was moving powerfully through this committed body!
While FLM was still meeting on Route 1, Pastor Randy began a television ministry called The Masters Voice on Channel 32. At the time, Channel 32 was a Christian station, and Pastor Randy yielded to the Spirit of God to assist in building the station’s reach. (A prophetic move for the current Contact TV ministry). FLM was one of the first churches with a broadcast in the Richmond area. FLM continued to expand its ministry base and founded Faith Landmarks Ministries, Washington, D.C. in 1981. After that, FLM moved to 1128 N. Boulevard. The nursery and Food Pantry (now Storehouse) were started there. FLM also launched a satellite ministry in order to introduce guest speakers and build the congregation. With further direction from the Holy Ghost, Faith Landmarks Ministries, New York was founded.
In May of 1983, FLM moved to what felt like a “home” for many years on 6000-B West Broad St. To begin with, FLM only started with one store front building for services. However, it wasn’t long before growth took that space over, and the church was expanded to 2 other buildings to house the Youth and Royal Rangers ministries. The sanctuary space was doubled by taking over another adjacent store. The FLM staff had a great demand placed on it with increased membership and they grew from 1 to 4 people! The church also founded the school, Victory Christian Academy, with a starting staff of 5 people.
It was clear at this time that God was pleased with the church body, and His manifest presence and anointing gave proof that He was going to further establish Faith Landmarks. With the leading of the Spirit of God, FLM began its first giving campaign entitled, Building the Kingdom to acquire property and build FLM’s first facility (now known as the West Wing). FLM moved forward with this new vision and giving campaign with a membership base of 900 people!
On February 25, 1989, FLM moved to its permanent location on 8491 Chamberlayne Road. The land consisted of 100+ acres of property for future growth. In the fall of 1989, Faith Landmarks Bible Institute was founded with 120 students.
As the years went on, FLM continued growth and ministry in various ways. The outreach ministries of the church were enhanced and churches, bible schools, orphanages, and places of ministry were established across the globe. Outreach overseas included countries and continents such as: Russia, India, Jamaica, Africa, Kenya, England, Costa Rica, Suriname, and more!
Coming into the nineties, FLM and Pastors Randy & Cherie felt a strong burden for the inner cities of Richmond. God gave them further direction to reach another group of people who were hurting and lost right on their own doorstep. In 1993, Richmond Reach-Out, Hope For Our City was birthed. That year marked one of powerful ministry for children, clothing and food give-aways and, of course, the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Bible studies and support groups were started in 4 of the largest inner-city communities of Richmond, and our bus ministry started so we could bring families to FLM who had no other means of transportation. In 1995, Richmond Reach-Out held 6 large reach-outs around the city and 1 reach-in to FLM families for a total of 1,118 saved! Our city and church began to see a turnaround. Richmond Reach-Out also participated in the annual parade down Broad Street with a humongous yellow float (our signature color – to draw attention, of course!) and hundreds of FLM members in yellow t-shirts. We sang and danced with one of the loudest and most exciting floats all the way down Broad St. FLM’s Richmond Reach-Out was recognized several times over a course of several years for having the “most Richmond float.” We were thrilled to be the example of love and unity for our city, while at the same time giving them the unchanging message of Jesus Christ!
Coming into the mid-nineties, there was an outpouring of anointing and power in our international crusades. In 1996, we saw 7,000 people in attendance at our first India crusade. Overseas missions, crusades and local ministry in our hometown through Richmond Reach-Out blazed our way all the way to the new millennium!
In 2000, FLM experienced another growth spurt. With the completion of our new sanctuary, we allowed for more space and more ministry. The new sanctuary was outfitted with state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and video equipment. The children’s ministry experienced brand-new rooms and toys. Plus, Zoe bookstore gained more space and we added our coffeebar, Java Jireh! This new addition to the FLM campus made it more convenient and comfortable for our church family to minister and be ministered to. Many of FLM members still call it the “New Building,” but having occupied it for almost 10 years, it is far from that.  In 2007, FLM completed construction of a new building that is completely outfitted for our youth ministries. With a full commercial kitchen, state-of-the-art auditorium, and gymnasium, it is a place that the youth can call their own.
Looking back over 30 years of ministry and outreach, not only has time moved fast, but we can see how God has set our church on a track of growth and continued development that has not stopped since FLM was founded. Only God knows what the next 30 years will bring, but in looking at the track record, it will only be more growth and development for all of us. We are looking forward to being changed by His glory and His call in this day and time. As we see the Day approaching, we do not turn back from this mandate. We continue on, knowing that every trial we have faced or have yet to face only yields fruit that is meant for the glory of God! His grace has led us thus far, and we are marching on with His continual presence and leading. Where He goes, we must follow!
And so we say to you FLM, “Get ready!
There is a new horizon and it is OURS BY DESTINY!”
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