Our History

“For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” I Cor. 3:9. Lively Stone Temple has stood the test of time in this generation. The Word of God said in the book of Acts, Chapter 5, and “If this work be of men, it will come to naught.” As a result of these studies, souls were baptized in Jesus’ Name according to Acts 2:8.

The name “Lively Stone” comes from the verse, I Peter 2:5, “Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” Being inspired by God, Elder Raul C. Bradley established a church in the Cross Swamp section of Islandton. In late 1976, other buildings and locations were sought, but God chose a little old corn house for His Spirit to dwell in. Therefore, Elder Bradley and Deacon Argailious Harley began the task of making the little corn house a place of worship. D/E Nelson Thompson and his assistant, Elder Richard Harris joined them later. God allowed D/E Nelson to contribute faithfully before going to sleep a few weeks after opening services. Lively Stone was a member of the Eastern and Southern States Council of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith, Inc.

Since the inception in 1976, many things have occurred at Lively Stone Temple. The little corn house was remodeled twice, and the Lord continued to bless and add to the church. Therefore, more space was needed. God confirmed the building of a new edifice by Deacon Horace Mole. Consequently, in June of 1982, Elder John T. Leslie dedicated the new Lively Stone Temple. Later that year, Elder Paul M. Capers became Assistant Pastor. The little corn house was also remodeled a third time to be used as a dining hall.

In September 1983, the Atlantic States Council was born at Lively Stone Temple. Bishop Robert L. Little was the first Diocesan Bishop followed by Bishop Jester Purnell and Bishop Nemiah Smith. Bishop Nemiah Smith remained the Council Bishop of the Atlantic States Council and Bishop J.E. Moore, the Diocesan Bishop for the state of South Carolina until 2007.

In December of 1988 Lively Stone Temple’s first radio broadcast was aired on WPOG 1080 AM in Walterboro. God continued to bless and in June of 1990 we had our Mortgage Burning Ceremony. This was a glorious occasion!

Elder Paul M. Capers was elevated to Pastor on September 22, 1995. In 1996, he became Vice Chairman of the Atlantic States Council and District Elder for the State of South Carolina. On June 21, 1996, District Elder Capers was elected chairman of the Atlantic States Council. God has blessed Lively Stone Temple with a ministerial staff of ten members, nine trustees, eight Holy Ghost filled deacons and a membership of approximately 160 members.

The Lord continued to bless and allowed us to begin and complete an 11,019 square foot addition. On August 18, 1996, D/E Reynard Pulliam was the keynote speaker for the Ground Breaking Service. This new addition includes a commercial kitchen, a modern dining room, Sunday School classrooms, offices, restroom facilities, and other amenities. Bishop J.E. Moore dedicated this new addition in 1997.

God allowed us to expand Lively Stone Temple Apostolic Ministries in Columbia, South Carolina with souls to be saved and a building being utilized to feed God’s people. Jurisdictional Bishop James Mack is the pastor of this assembly and Episcopal Bishop Paul M. Capers is the Corporate Pastor. In the year 2000, the Lord blessed Elder Talmadge L. Wiggins and Minister Iva R. Capers to begin holding bible classes in the Bamberg area. Consequently, bible classes were being taught on Wednesday nights by Elder Wiggins. Elder Donald Danner also teaches a bible class in the Williston area. Though many have come and gone, the Lord is adding to the church daily such as should be saved. The Lord saw the need for souls in the Bamberg area. In 2001, as Elder Wiggins continued holding a bible class on Wednesday nights, souls were saved and the need became evident for these souls to have a church home. A building was secured and Elder Wiggins was assigned Pastor to Lively Stone Temple of Bamberg. God is still blessing!

As of 2001, the building in which Pastor Mack was having services, now belonged to LST. Negotiations were settled and the building was purchased. We can truly say that God has blessed Lively Stone Temple Ministries under the competent leadership of Jurisdictional Bishop Paul M. Capers. He was elevated to Jurisdictional Bishop at the PCAF National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida in July of 2001.

In August 2002, Jurisdictional Bishop Paul M. Capers was ordained at the PCAF National Convention in Birmingham, Alabama. Two vans were purchased, one for Columbia and one for LST of Bamberg. We thank God for all that He has done and is going to do in helping us to continue Kingdom building. He is a mighty God!

In 2006 in Jacksonville, Florida, during the PCAF National Convention, Bishop Capers was elevated to the position of Diocesan Bishop of South Carolina. In 2007, Bishop Capers was ordained Episcopal Bishop. God has kept him and has prepared him for such a time as this, to lead his people.

In 2008, God blessed D/E James Mack to be elevated to Jurisdictional Bishop Elect. Bishop Paul M. Capers was nominated and voted in to be the Assistant General Secretary of the PCAF Association, Inc. D/E Talmadge L. Wiggins was voted back in office as the Atlantic States Council Chairman for four more years. 

In 2019, Lively Stone Temple become one of the founding churches of the newly formed; Christian Apostolic Fellowship of Churches International,Inc. Our senior pastor, Bishop Paul M. Capers is the presiding Bishop of this organization. Bishop T.L. Wiggins is the assistant presider and general secretary.