Our History
The early days were the days of small beginnings. The first prayer meetings and worship service were held in the basement of 44 Grandview Avenue, the home of the founder and then pastor, Reverend DeWitt Stevens, Sr., and consisted of primarily young adults from various backgrounds.
The son of a deacon father and missionary mother, Rev. DeWitt Stevens, Sr., along with the inspiration of the Rev. Basil Jones of Stamford, opened the doors of Macedonia Baptist Church (name later changed to Macedonia Church) to the Norwalk community at large on November 12, 1978.
The challenge in the beginning, and presently as well, was to make something from nothing. The vision–a ministry where God controls and directs without human interference or aid. A ministry composed of people of both high and low degree without barriers of race, creed or color, doctrinal distinction or otherwise. A ministry capable of providing the necessary training and proving ground for a bold young company of pastors, teachers, prophets and evangelists charged with revival fire and power from on high. The vision enjoyed with Christ’s commission to the apostles… “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature… And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:15-18)
Approximately one year after the ministry was established, Rev. Stevens’ son, DeWitt Stevens, Jr., joined his father as the Assistant Pastor of Macedonia Church. His arrival marked a decided change in the spiritual direction and emphasis, which subsequently resulted in the broadening of the work.
It became clear that alignment with a traditional denomination (Baptist) would only restrict and not promote a revival amongst all of God’s people (the body of Christ). For this reason, one year after opening its doors, Macedonia reorganized under the “non-denomination” banner.
Reverend Stevens, Jr. was born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut, but for several years resided in the Bridgeport and New Haven areas. After his conversion and subsequent call into the ministry, God impressed upon him to leave the Pentecostal fellowship where he was a part of in New Haven, return to Norwalk and bring the gospel to his former classmates and family. Fueled by fervent prayer, the burden in his heart burned with intensity. The desire of his soul was to see lost humanity saved and the body of Christ unified, perfected and bathed in victory and power.
Shortly after coming to Norwalk, the Lord called the young Reverend Stevens, Jr. aside from all activity (evangelism and mission work) in preparation for revival praying. Just as God called Moses and Elijah apart for seasons of waiting before Him in prayer and fasting, Reverend Stevens, Jr., along with the entire church were chosen and ordained by God to be forerunners of the restoration and revival in America. God required a period of entire consecration to prepare a company of latter-day prophets to the nations.
Over the past years, the church has grown from a small church in the city of Norwalk to an international ministry spreading the Gospel in various ways and touching the lives of people around the world.
The predominant focus and heart throb of the ministry is praying for revival!