The Tabernacle
In the Holy Bible, Genesis is the creation of the world and mankind. After the creation of Adam, man multiplied. Noah followed Adam, then Ham… and until Abraham. G_d promised to bless Abraham and his descendants. G_d promised to give them a homeland (promise land) and a Savior. Generations of men and women that served as prophets, ministers, teachers and messengers continued G_ds’ work until the birth of Je__s.
Before Je__s ascended into heaven, he promised to send the Holy Ghost (Acts 1: 8 – 9). One day his disciples gathered into an upper room (Acts 1:13 – 14). Also represented at this meeting were men and women Jerusalem Jews from every nation upon the Earth (Acts 2: 5 – 11). Afterwards, the Gentiles were accepted into the church after the Spirit revealed to Peter saying, “What G_d has cleansed you must not call unclean”. The scriptures state that G_d granted repentance to life to the Gentiles and as many that believed turned to the Lord; (Acts 11: 1 – 21) thus establishing a universal church, a body of Christians or Christ followers and believers, a non-denomination with a universal belief for “whosoever will”. There is only one church and we are members of the church with Christ as head, the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
Thousands of years past and man continued sin. G_d was not pleased with mankind, especially with those who transgressed against him and refuse to discontinue their wicked ways. By the late 1400’s and 1500’s, slavery was used in Africa by Europeans to further their economic expansion and colonization into America and the Caribbean Islands. G_d forewarned his people of the impending acts of trickery, deceit and containment. However, the warnings were unheeded. Many of the western coastal countries of Africa, including Ghana, Liberia, and Ivory Coast were manipulated, misled or in some cases participated in the enslavement of their own people. Men, women and children were forced onto slave ships. Fearing the treatment of an unknown western world, women tossed their children into the shark infested Atlantic Ocean. It is estimated that over three hundred years, at least 2 million people were forced into slavery.
G_d heard the cries and prayers of African people in America as they endured hardships. Families were divided and sold at auctions, like farm animals. African women were raped, the men beaten and killed. Children and adults worked on plantations owned by white settlers. Yet, G_d, being All Mighty and Merciful, answered their prayers. G_d freed the slaves, just as G_d delivered the Children of Israel from Egypt. G_d worked on the hearts and minds of government officials and the nation to abolish slavery.
At the end of slavery and many years afterwards, conditions for African Americans were deplorable. Many were abused and faced discrimination from those who refuse to accept the end of slavery. Nonetheless, African Americans prayed to G_d for freedom from oppression and a better life for their children. G_d heard the prayers of his people. As with many occasions during biblical history, G_d sends a messenger or prophet to deliver his message.
In 1926, G_d sent an African Princess, Laura Adorka Kofi to come to America to deliver his program of deliverance, salvation and empowerment. Through dreams and visions, G_d told the Princess and her father that, he (G_d) wanted to use the Princess until he could find a man to do the job. The African King and leaders in Ghana (formerly Gold Coast) endorsed her plan and provided her with legal documents to represent them.
During 1926 – 1927, the Princess was respectively known as “Mother Kofi”. Yet, she encountered opposition from ministers and prominent African American leaders that refused to accept G_d’s program. The program included:
- Salvation – Accept Je__s as the Savior and discontinue sinful ways.
- Redemption – Return back to the “Old Land Mark” return to Africa to your G_d, as a race of people.
- Dignity and Pride – Not ashamed of your culture, origin, the motherland Africa
- Empowerment – Self-help, education, economic development in and between America and Africa.
The ministers and community leaders in New York City and Detroit would not accept the program that Mother Kofi brought to America. She connected with Marcus Garvey until he was arrested. Disagreements with Garvey followers and opposition from religious leaders let her to realize that she would have to start a church and run G_d’s program through the church. Mother Kofi named the church, The African Universal Church and Commercial League. Mother Kofi established the church with the term “universal” because as being part of the name of her church in Ghana, she reaffirmed the establishment of a Universal Church as did the Apostles and the men and women from other nations around the world (Acts 2: 5 – 11).
In 1927 – 1928, Mother Kofi visited the southern states of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida. Thousands of people who heard her speak enrolled their names into the church. Mother Kofi knew that she would give her life for the cause of G_ds’ Program. On March 8, 1928, Mother Kofi was assassination in Miami, Florida, preaching the gospel. Prior to her death, Mother Kofi foretold of a man that was little but “mighty loud”, would establish the governmental (administrative) affairs of her program. His name was Rev. Nyombolo, a/k/a, Lil’ Brother.
In early 1930s, Rev. Nyombolo became associated with the African Universal Church, after being invited by officers to visit the church. He pledged to continue the works started by Mother Kofi. He created the governing foundation and organizational structure of African Universal Churches. He was instrumental in developing Christian and cultural programs for the African Universal Church. He established a bi-lingual order-of-service of English and Bantu. He also worked as an instructor at Walker Business College. Rev. Nyombolo held several college degrees and spoke at least six different languages.
After sending representatives to Ghana, a new church was started as the Missionary African Universal Church, Inc. Other African Universal Churches wanted self-autonomy and made it difficult for the Churches to act under one governing body. Ultimately, Rev. Nyombolo committed to leading the Missionary African Universal Church the way “G_d told him to do”. There were other individuals that dedicated themselves to the program. Bishop Eugene P. McCarroll, a/k/a “Tshaka”, John Townsend, Deacon Longmire, Deacon Nettles, Ernest Sears, and many others committed themselves to the Program that G_d entrusted to Mother Kofi.
Many years later, Rev. Nyombolo became ill and was hospitalized. He died on July 7, 1970. Thereafter, Assistant Pastor, Rev. Oliver Lewis became pastor of the church. Rev. Lewis was successful in the creation of the Mandarin “Oak Tree” Mission Ministry many years before he became pastor. Rev. Lewis led the church similar to Rev. Nyombolo. Rev. Lewis died unexpectedly in October 20, 1974.
Lifetime member, Rev. Robert E. Keyes, II became pastor of the Missionary African Universal Church on July 17, 1977. Rev. Keyes continued the ministry and encountered numerous struggles and challenges. The State of Florida required all churches that were incorporated prior to 1970 to be re-incorporated, with by-laws. Franklin Ajaye, a former, but distant member of the African Universal Church family coerced members and officers to nullify the church doctrines and resign their positions. Faced with an ensuing division of the church body, Rev. Keyes ‘stood fast’ and was successful in preserving the principles and doctrines of the church. Opposing members living on church property refused to comply with county tax assessment on non-sanctuary and parish church properties. Opposing members elected a new board to manage the church. Before the issue could be resolved, Rev. Keyes died November 26, 1985.
Rev. Elbert Moreland, Jr. served as associate pastor in December 1985 until he became pastor in December 1986. By the spring of 1987, senior member and Trustee Matilda Horn endorsed Rev. Moreland’s desire to “leave the past” and start a new church, at a new location. Leased buildings were used as a sanctuary until a permanent site was found.
On May 20, 1988, a meeting was held by the congregation to start a new church and select officers. Rev. Moreland named the church, Tabernacle African Universal Church; Inc. Tabernacle African Universal Church was established as the home office of Founder’s Program. The soon-to-be new church and Founder’s home office instituted the Princesses’ ministry and Rev. Nyombolo’s principles and teachings that were neglected by members of the original church.
The chartering officers of the founder’s home office, Kubini Keyes, Bertha Mae Moreland and Pauline Keyes, incorporated the church, in the State of Florida. Under Rev. Moreland’s leadership, the church started a fellowship program, obtained a new church building and increased the membership. G_d truly blessed the ministry so that many young people found the church to be a true inspiration to their lives. On June 1999, the Lord led Rev. Moreland to pursue his ministry elsewhere.
In December 1998, Pastor & Prophet Robert E. Keyes, III was called into the ministry. He became pastor in September 2000. Under the current leadership, Rev. Keyes expanded the existing church fellowship program, started a Christian media relations program and made structural improvements to the sanctuary and established a multi-purpose building. Under Rev. Keyes leadership, the church has:
- Paid off mortgage 18 months early
- Transportation for pick-up of members and guests.
- Launched semi-annual youth bible and history contest
- Encourage and promote healthy eating and living lifestyles
- Annual spring revival and workshop
- Expanded website sites
- Celebration of G_d’s festivals
In 2012, Pastor & Prophet Robert Keyes established prison and overseas ministries. The prison ministry provides assistance to those in need of spiritual and social support. The overseas ministry started with one church in the Philippines. However, the need for the Word was so immense until a second church was established. In early 2016, Prophet & Pastor Robert Keyes was given an additional title of ‘Overseer’, as a result of expanding the gospel into the countries of Philippines and Kenya.
In January 2019, after undergoing several years of spiritual preparation and readiness, Prophet Keyes led the membership in transitioning from Christians to Hebrews. Prophet Keyes shared his spiritual journey and years of studying with the members to help them understand and his transition. As a result, the members accepted his experience and decided to accept and serve as true believing Hebrews. This action is consistent with the biblical teachings and prophecies dating back over 95 years ago from the late founder of the African Universal Church, Princess Laura Kofi, saying
“You’ve got to go back to the old land mark, that is back to Africa, that is back to G_d” (ELOHIYM).
A transition plan was developed which includes communications and publication to affection parties, via, websites, electronic media and regular mail.