The history of church “Cathedral of Praise”, Baku city
Speaking of "Cathedral of Praise" Church we have to come back to its background. As every tree has its roots and branches, the same way "Cathedral of Praise" is a branch on a huge tree of religious history, and we cannot deny it.
Having our beginning and power in protestant roots of Martin Luther's Reformation we have a solid foundation of the message that spread Protestant movement throughout all the world, from one continent to another. But when we start our journey through the church history we have to keep in mind that the Church has been changed a lot in times. And even though the Word of God is not changeable, the Church is opened to the changes and development.
From the very foundation of the Church (Ecclessia) by Jesus Christ around 2000 years ago the Church has been striving to show godliness, purity of mind and character of God. How great is He and His Love to all people is so great that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (Gospel of John 3:16). This fundamental thought lies in the foundation of every church on the Earth.
It couldn't avoid human and philosophy interference (even though Apostles and Church fathers repeatedly warned of it) into development and formation of the religious view. Jesus said: Without me you can do nothing
But in spite of that the Church was not built on the human word, but on the Word of God. Jesus said: "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". And truly until today Church of Jesus Christ whether it's Orthodox, Catholic or Protestant line, has had its place in the history and in the life of millions of people in the whole world.
So, having protestant foundation of the Church and reformation roots we believe in the Holy Trinity. We believe the God is One in Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our confession of faith is in the perfect coincidence with Apostle's, Athanasian and Nikea Creeds. Our faith in Trinity unites us with Orthodox Christians, and with Baptists and Pentecostals as well. Faith in God's Sonship of Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit, Who is sent by God and is third Person of the Trinity.
Of course, even though we have the same view on Almighty God's Person we might have some doctrinal differences. But it will never separate us from the love of God, where all of us have eternal redemption and forgiveness of sins by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ, that was shed for all men. This is one more unifying link that ties all abovementioned denominations together.
When we talk of a shrunk "Cathedral of Praise" Church belongs to, we need to say that Educational Centre and Church "Word of Life" in Sweden is the spiritual centre of the Community. The founder of the Center is pastor Ulf Ekman, Doctor of Theology and Honorary Doctor of Juridical Science of Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma, USA. Ulf Ekman is also the founder and principal of Livets Ord University in Uppsala, Sweden. Hi is the author of more than 30 books, which are popular in many Christian circles and have been translated to more than 30 languages.
In 1994 when believers gathered together for the first time to pray and praise God, the church looked like a small group of people raising their hands and calling in seemed it be a empty place. But after a month with help of some people sent by God from far Sweden to Azerbaijan. They held an unique crusade called "God loves Azerbaijan". There were about 3 000 people on that meeting. Hundreds of people got healed in those days in Sports-exhibition complex where Word of God was proclaimed, and many people found peace with God. Some weeks before there was a meeting between Carl-Gustaf Severin, Crusade Yost and Word of Life President's Assistant , and Heydar Alirza oglu Aliyev, the President and Nationwide Leader of Azerbaijan.
On this meeting Word of Life organization was invited by the President Aliyev to come to Azerbaijan for work, economic support and assistance in development of the young country just received freedom and independency but experiencing tough times. (Video record of this historical meeting is available in the archive of Cathedral of Praise Church). As a result of this meeting there was an occasion that gave us opportunity for a representative of Azerbaijan to appear on the US National Television and tell people of Armenian intervention and 20% of territory of Azerbaijan occupied by them. Lester Samrall, the president of Feed the Hungry organization and the Host of the TV broadcasting covered whole America, at request of his friend and desciple Ulf Ekman organized this speech and kindly granted the air
time.
Martin Luther (1483 – 1546) was born on November, 10th, 1483 in a family of the poor miner Hans Luther living in the German city of Ejslebene
Ulf Ekman (the Swede. Ulf Ekman) — the founder and the pastor of church «Word of Life», Uppsala, Sweden, widely known missionary and the preacher of Christianity of a Protestant direction
Charles Gustav Severin
and the national leader of Azerbaijan,
The president of Azerbaijan
Heydar Alirza oglu Aliyev
The educational centre and church
«Word of Life»
Leicester Samrall was born in New Orleans (the State of Louisiana, the USA)
