Question: Is The Church Recognized?
Answer: Absolutely!

In 1974, the United States government was sued by the Universal Life Church in response to the government's challenge to their right
to have a tax-exempt status. When the judge ruled on this case, he also addressed the question of their method of ordination,
independent church charters, etc. The Universal Life Church is not a Christian Church, however their battle performed a great service
to all non-traditional Christian Churches and Ministries by fighting this case in court and eventually winning.

The following is excerpted from the court's decision in this case.

The Universal Life Church is referred to as Plaintiff:
"...an Honorary Doctor of Divinity is a strictly religious title with no academic standing. Such titles may be issued by bonafide
churches and religious denominations, such as plaintiff, as long as their issuance is limited to a course of instruction in the
principles of the church or religious denomination... The statute is silent as to recognized honorary titles conferred for some
meritorious recognition."

"Certainly the ordination of ministers and the chartering of churches are accepted activities of religious organizations...
The fact that the plaintiff distributed ministers' credentials and Honorary Doctor of Divinity certificates is of no moment.
Such activity may be analogized to mass conversions at a typical revival or religious crusade."

"Neither this Court, nor any branch of this Government, will consider the merits or fallacies of a religion. Nor will
the Court compare the beliefs, dogmas, and practices of a newly organized religion with those of an older, more
established religion. Nor will the Court praise or condemn a religion, however excellent
or fanatical or preposterous it may seem. WERE THE COURT TO DO SO, IT WOULD
IMPINGE UPON THE GUARANTEES OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT."

If you'd like to read the complete case decision, it's filed in the U.S. District Court,
Eastern District of California,  Civil No. S-1954.

We are happy to have received our church charter from a bonafied, established
Christian ministry and church. The Church of St. Luke's Evangelical Ministries
in Hephzibah, Georgia, granted our independent church charter on May 7, 2008.