Open Door Church was established June of 1981, when members stepped out in faith to organize a nondenominational church, which would have the freedom to worship and praise God in spirit and in truth.

On June 17, 1981, Open Door Held the first meeting in a member’s home. The name “Open Door Church” was conceived from revelations 3:18, “Behold I set before you an open door and no man can shut it.”

For several months 53 members met at the McDonald’s Chapel Community Center. Several pastors filled the pulpit each Sunday until November of 1981, when Pastor Rick Cooper was asked to become the pastor full time.

After rapidly outgrowing the community center, Open Door started looking for land close by. Open Door wanted to be a regional church, not just a community church. The land , which was purchased form US Steel Corp on April of 1982, was located in the city limits of Birmingham.

The church decided to have a certificate of faith program, which would help raise the money to build the first building. The church sold 150 certificates from September of 1982 to February of 1983 to raise $150,000. The building was started on November of 1982. The first service was held on Wednesday, August 3, 1983. Before the first service, 10,000 dollars had to be raised to be able to finish and move into the building. God was faithful and the people giving.

Open Door has been a mission-minded church from the beginning. The church started giving 10% to missions from the beginning, even when there was no building.

Open Door Church has always been open to the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and because of this the church has been constantly changing. The church wants to worship God in praise, worship, dance, drama, His word, service, and the gifts of the spirit, especially prophesy.

On April 8, 1998, Open Door faced one of the biggest challenges as an f-5 tornado destroyed the church building, but God spared the actual church,(the people in the building)! Seventy people on that Wednesday night experienced the miracle of God’s deliverance as the building disappeared around them. The building was gone, but they all survived. God did so many miracles during that period of time that the space will not allow to share them all. All that can be said is praise the Lord! During that time Minor Christian Academy was given to Open Door. The gym was remodeled and worship services were held until the church moved into the new building in 2001. The new building was located on the same site of the old building, destroyed by the tornado.

Soon after the tornado, God spoke to Pastor Rick Cooper about a new vision for the church from Luke 15, that the church was to be known as the Open Door Church/Father’s House. The church was to build a house for the Father. It would be a place where people could find their true identity as sons of God. There is no male or female, we are all sons of God through Christ Jesus. Our history is on going and is filled with opportunities and challenges that God is opening before us. We are a people of vision, and people of destiny. We have learned from our mistakes and our successes. We are still learning, but know that God is leading us. God has always been faithful and seen us through. We know that we are under construction until His return. Come be a part of building a house for our Father.

Pastor Rick Cooper and wife, Jackie

Open Door Church 1983 - 1998

Damage from F-5 tornado on April 8, 1998

New Church Building

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History of Open Door Church 

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