The Inspirational Church of God was birthed through the Divine Inspiration of Pastor Johnny W. Johnson Sr.; hence the name. Although incorporated on September 21, 1977. The first official Church Service was held on Tuesday, February 7, 1978 at the original facility in the Miami Locks Village located in Lake Harbor, FL. This historical and ground breaking service had an attendance of 11 congregants, and grew to 15 adults and 23 children over the next year.

In 1979, Church records indicate the National Officers were as follows:

Elder Johnny W. Johnson                                           President and Head Elder

Sister Doris Ellick                                                       Vice President

Sister Janie Johnson                                                    Secretary

Sister Minnie Carroll                                                   Treasurer

While Local Church Officers included the following:

Elder Johnny W. Johnson Sr                                       Pastor

Sister Anita Martin                                                     Secretary/Choir Member

Sister Minnie Carroll                                                   Appointment Secretary

Sister Annie Martin                                                     Head Usher

Sister Sharon Johnson                                                 Usher/Choir Leader/Asst. Secretary

Sister Angela Carroll                                                   Usher/Choir Member

Brother Johnny Johnson Jr.                                         Organist/Choir Leader

Sister Sharon Willingham                                           Usher/Choir Member

1979 was governed by the theme “A Call to Unity and Devotion”.

In 1982, the Church grew beyond the small town of Lake Harbor to include  Phillip Watson, Hattie Watson, Sue Watson, Sheila Watson, and Kenneth Watson (The Watson Family) all of Pompano, Florida, as well as Sister Laverne Martin.

In 1983 church records indicate that the patriarch of this family, Elder Phillip Watson was ordained the night of January 29, giving birth to a Sister Church in Ft. Lauderdale.

Over the next few years the Inspirational Church of God would experience a modicum of growth, yet Pastor would boldly proclaim from the pulpit, “I see a church full of people”. Many of us not having the Spiritual 20/20 that Pastor was blessed with would often quip “Pastor must being seeing things”. Little did we know he was in fact seeing things; great things.

Kids began to flock to the Inspirational Church of God, giving rise to a budding youth department which was headed by Bro. Johnny W. Johnson Jr and Sister Joann Maddox in 1988. The Inspirational Church of God was often dubbed the Church with “All Those kids”.

In 1990, Wilbert and Ethel Little joined the ministry. Bro. Wilbert Little was shortly set aside to be a Deacon, and would officially serve in the office when we moved to the South Bay Location.

In 1991, The Inspirational Church of God took ownership of a church building with classroom facilities included.

During the 1992 business meeting, Pastor Johnson was quoted as saying “I cannot thank God enough that he has blessed us with a sanctuary and classroom facilities of our own with a membership of 50. Brothers and Sisters, God really means it when he says, He will pour out blessings. So today I charge you, go ye also into the vineyard and work and whatsoever is right God will pay”. The theme for the year of 1992 was “Inspired to Labor For God In His Harvest Season”.

From 1992-2003, the leadership of the Inspirational Church of God was augmented with installation services for the following:

Minister                                                                                              Mother

Wilbert Little Jr.                                                                                  Janie M. Johnson

Johnny Johnson                                                                                   Minnie L. Carroll

Leroy G. Carroll Jr.                                                                             Lillie Funderburke

Stephen W. Johnson                                                                           Essie Mae McPhee

Richard Godfrey                                                                                 Doris Ellick

Deacons                                                                                              Missionary

                                                            Kelvin Johnson                                                                                         Ethel Little

                                                          Bernard Chastine                                                                                    Novella Tillman          

                                                             Terry Horne                                                                                        Angela McLeod

                                                            Jimmy Porter                                                                                         Jean Morrison

                                                          Courtney Lowe                                                                                       Veronica Reid

                                                          Robert Ferguson                                                                                     Carmen Sinclair

                                                           Clement Grant                                                                                       Cynthia Ferguson

                                                            Willie Jones                                                                                          Elizabeth Godfrey

                                                     Javoski Arnold (Jr. Deacon)                                                                          Barbara Gordon

                                                                                                                   Willie Tillman             

In 2003, the Church began a major renovation initiative which began with the opening the church balcony and will culminate in the Summer of 2005 with renovation of classroom facilities to house an Day Care Center, After School Program, and Computer Lab.

In 2005, the Inspirational Church of God, held its First Homecoming celebration in April. This celebration was attended by ICOG Members past and present, and public officials, including the Mayor of South Bay, FL Clarence Anthony. The high of this celebration was the laying of a cornerstone and the placement of a time capsule.

The theme for 2006, as articulated by Pastor Johnny W. Johnson, was and still is “Preparation before Presentation”. With these words firmly in mind and heart, the ICOG Leadership was augmented with 1 Minister (Courtney Lowe), 2 Missionaries (Donnia   Fay Johnson, Erica Jones), 2 Deacons (Samuel Dixon, William (Bill) Harris), and 3 Junior Deacons (Terrance Fashaw, Demarcus Dixon, Armad Mormon)

During the 2006 Youth Conference, the ICOG family and friends would witness Minister Leroy G. Carroll Jr tag-team with his future wife Evangelist Tia Jefferson to deliver a powerful sermon entitled, “I Was Prepared for this”. Four months later these two servants of the Lord would be officially joined in marriage in Lake City, FL. The wedding ceremony was jointly performed by Minister Carroll’s Pastor,  Pastor Johnny W. Johnson Sr. and Evangelist Tia’s Pastor Reverend Fred Wallace of Union AME Church.

January 13, 2007, the Lord called our Beloved Senior Pastor Johnny W. Johnson, Sr. home.  He was funeralized on January 19th, 2007 at Glades Central High School.  Many friends, co-workers, community leaders, loved ones, and surrounding neighbors gathered together to pay their respects to this awesome man of God.  The Palm Beach County local news were also in attendance and interviewed different individuals on the great character of Pastor Johnson.  CLICK HERE to view video of local news.  The members of The Inspirational Church of God stood in behalf of the Johnson Family offering their comfort and supporting them during this time of bereavement.  The Inspirational Church of God are truly sadden by the loss of this Outstanding Pastor and Leader.  Therefore, we will continue in God's Word and in the Fellowship of Jesus Christ while keeping the Legacy of Pastor Johnny W. Johnson forever in our hearts and minds.  We continue to pray for Mother Janie Johnson and lift her up daily. 

On March 4, 2007, Minister Leroy G. Carroll, Jr. was installed as pastor for The Inspirational Church of God.  Members, family, and friends were all in attendance to show support as The Inspirational Church of God continues to move higher and higher in Jesus.  We are looking forward to more teaching, more learning, and more manifestations.

                                                Notable Firsts

1. First Women’s Day                                                                         1982

2. First Youth Day                                                                              1992

3. First Unity Day                                                                               1992

4. First Choir Workshop                                                                     1992

5. First Men’s Day                                                                              1993

6. Family and Friends Day                                                                 1993

7. Youth Seminar                                                                                1993

8. Missionary Day                                                                               1994