Rehoboth Open Bible Church has stood strong for forty-five years. Our journey began in the cozy apartment living room of Revs. Easton and Joy Grant in Brooklyn, New York, with seven adults and seven children. As the years passed and our congregation flourished, outgrowing the capacity of two hundred set by the NYC Department of Buildings, the church initiated a second service in 1998 and began an arduous search for a new, larger home, a journey that has tested our determination and resilience. 

Brooklyn, one of the most densely populated counties in the United States, presents a unique set of challenges for churches. Finding a suitable space to meet is daunting, with people seeming to occupy every square inch. There are no new spaces for churches in New York. Currently existing churches were originally built in the 1800s, often by Catholics and Presbyterians; modern churches must convert commercial spaces or purchase existing spaces occupied by older churches or temples. Even when property can be found, political and business environs do not want such valuable real estate removed from the tax roll and often restrict access by religious non-profit organizations. Thus, most churches in Brooklyn are classified as storefronts, utilizing small commercial retail spaces or the front rooms of homes.  

When we were appointed as pastors of Rehoboth in 2011, the search for a larger facility was already ongoing. Four months into our role, we drove by a former Jewish temple on 888 East 56^th Street which had a sign saying, “For Sale or Triple Net Lease.” Despite our uncertainty, we called the listed number and met with the owner.  

Most of the property was in a deplorable condition, requiring eyes of faith to visualize its value. Based on the redlining lending practices of the neighborhood and commercial banks’ refusal to lend to churches, the likelihood of acquisition was slim to none. Negotiations were painful, but after numerous meetings and much prayer, two years later we achieved an owner-seller financing purchase. That was the first miracle in the journey to 888, since we would not have been able to qualify for financing on the open market.  

The purchase consumed all the church’s savings and more. Despite this, God provided monthly mortgage payments of $16.1k while funding the church’s day-to-day operations, our second miracle.  

We launched a three-year capital campaign in 2015 that proved God’s power in Rehoboth’s life at a new level. Like Gideon, God used a small group to catch the vision, amassing funds exceeding the pledged amount by nearly forty percent! God’s faithfulness gave birth to the third miracle – providing the equity needed to match our upcoming construction loan.   

In 2019, six years after purchasing the property, we obtained a construction loan and refinanced the seller’s note at a lower interest rate, providing more funds for renovation – miracle number four. 

With much excitement after the groundbreaking in December 2019, construction began in March 2020. Three weeks in, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, sending NYC spiraling. The city that never sleeps shut down tight for three months. While COVID-19 kept us all enclosed, our property renovations were in limbo. Unattended projects suffered, material prices quadrupled, and labor costs followed suit.  

The challenge of dealing with unscrupulous consultants, renegotiating contracts, finding new subcontractors, confronting disfavored lending practices, and seeking to manage construction timelines was an enormous feat. But God provided miracle after miracle by granting favor, stretching finances, creating new alliances, empowering us with new boldness to advocate, and providing the changes we needed while keeping our integrity intact. As one major devious player on the project stated, “With all that I have done, you should not be here. I know God is with you.” To which we say, “Yes, Amen!” God is with us. 

On Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024, we held our final service at our previous address. Afterward, we marched to 888 East 56th Street with a police escort and a drumline, waving palm branches and flags in joyous jubilation. Our seniors who were unable to walk traveled via cars behind the marchers. All reveled in the moment, singing and giving God thanks as we beheld the miracle on East 56th Street and rejoiced in what God had done! 

Upon arrival, we introduced ourselves to the community, recited Psalm 24, opened the doors, and let the King of Glory in! We then held our first service at 888, celebrating jubilantly the fulfillment of the biblical promise our church name represents. The founders of our church chose the name “Rehoboth,” taken from Genesis 26:22:  

And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So, he called its name Rehoboth because he said, ‘For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land’ (NKJV). 

888 East 56^th Street is more than a building. It continues the legacy of bringing Rehoboth’s soul to life, providing room to become, belong, and believe for those who are here and those who are yet to come. What God said with His mouth, He has fulfilled with His hands this day for His glory. He has made room for us! 

About the Author

Leroy and Dalton Spencer

Leroy and Dalton Spencer are the lead pastors at Rehoboth Open Bible Church, in Brooklyn, New York. They have been members of Rehoboth for over 25 years, serving in various capacities before assuming the helm in 2011. They are passionate about advancing the kingdom of God, prayer, and caring for the sheep with a good shepherd’s heart. Leroy and Dalton believe people are our greatest asset and fully embrace the mandate to bring them to maturity by equipping them with the Word and life skills.  

Mindy Khanthavixay joins the Open Bible national office as the new Executive Assistant to the President.

Mindy steps in to replace Nicole Kerr, who served faithfully and with excellence for the last seven years. With a background in both healthcare administration and children’s ministry, Mindy brings much to the table. She and her husband Bay live in Des Moines, Iowa, and have two children. They pastored at Kingdom Life Church in Des Moines from 2020 until the church merged with Lifesong Church in 2024. They continue to minister there with a new combined church family.

Concerning her new role, Mindy says, “I am thrilled to be a part of the Open Bible staff and eagerly look forward to what the Lord has in store for me here. I am grateful for the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life and am excited to continue growing in my faith and serving the Lord with all my heart.”

President Michael Nortune states, “With Mindy’s experience and passion we know she will be a great asset to the national office and Open Bible. With Mindy being bilingual, she will assist us in serving our growing Open Bible family in an even greater capacity. Welcome to the team, Mindy! We are looking forward to many years of fruitful service.”

In March of 2024, fifty church planters and leaders from Open Bible gathered in Orlando, Florida, along with approximately 5,000 others for Exponential, a global conference equipping leaders with resources and fresh vision to multiply God’s Kingdom through church planting.  

In addition to attending Exponential conference sessions and workshops, church planters from all five regions of Open Bible gathered for two evenings, sharing dinner, getting to know one another, and having collaborative training and prayer times. Despite their being from different states and backgrounds, those present quickly bonded. Experienced church planters from Vermont shared their advice with soon-to-be planters in Oregon. Planters from New Orleans tearfully shared their story and found common ground with planters from Iowa. All sorts of ministry models were represented, with new churches meeting in everything from prisons to houses, to an old wedding chapel, to a construction company’s office. Church planters ranged in age from early twenties to late fifties. What all of them had in common was creativity, a sense of adventure, and a commitment to share Jesus in the places where they had been called. 

On their first evening together, President Michael Nortune met with the church planters and leaders to share his “Mission to Multiply.” Forty-six Open Bible ministers were present at this “round table” gathering, including four regional directors, two national board members, as well as several Open Bible church planting coaches and pastors of “mother” or “sending” churches. After President Nortune shared, these veteran leaders laid hands on and prayed for the church planters being sent out. Amidst all of this was a profound sense of unity. 

Theron Peyton II, Youth Director at Restoration Point Church in Tacoma, Washington, and future church planter captured this sense of unity well: “My wife and I have had the honor of being visiting ministers at several Open Bible churches. Every church we visit is so inviting; it seems as though each church copies and pastes how to make everyone feel like family. When we spent time with leaders and pastors from all over the nation at Exponential, I got to experience how these Open Bible leaders carry a reflection of Christ’s unity.” 

George Williams, Open Bible East Director of Multiplication, summed up the heart behind the gathering: “We all attend churches that brave pioneers once started. Open Bible as a movement was started by faith-filled risk takers, willing to step out into uncertainty for the sake of King Jesus: starting new gatherings, preaching the gospel in unfamiliar places, and making new disciples. This pioneering spirit is once again being cultivated within Open Bible.”