About D.O.W.C.
- Our History
- Our Vision
- Our Mission
- Our Doctrines of Faith
Our History:
A Church Called for Such a Time as This
The history of Divine Order Worship Center is a testimony of vision, obedience, perseverance, and divine order. What began with a small group gathered in a home, developed into a ministry that reached multiple communities, endured significant transitions, and continued its Kingdom assignment through changing seasons.
The Beginning: 2013
Divine Order Worship Center was founded in 2013 by Apostle J. A. Tillman in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
The ministry began as a Bible study in the home of Apostle Tillman and his wife. Five people joined Apostle and Lady Tillman for those early gatherings to study the Word of God, pray, fellowship, and grow spiritually.
There was no traditional sanctuary or large congregation. There was a vision, a willing leader, a faithful family, and a small group of believers. Within that home, the foundation of Divine Order Worship Center was established.
The name Divine Order Worship Center reflected the heart of the ministry's assignment: to bring people into alignment with the Word, will, purpose, and order of God.
“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it…”
Psalm 127:1
From Bible Study to Worship Services
After approximately one year of gathering in the Tillman home, the ministry began holding worship services at the Ramada Inn, in Rock Hill, SC. This move marked the transition from a home Bible study into a developing local congregation. People gathered to hear the Word of God, worship, receive prayer, and connect with the vision God had entrusted to Apostle Tillman. The Ramada Inn became Divine Order Worship Center's first public worship location and the next step in the ministry's growth.
Ebenezer Road
After approximately one year at the Ramada Inn, continued growth created the need for a more consistent place to gather. Divine Order Worship Center moved into an office space on Ebenezer Road in Rock Hill. Though not a traditional church building, the space provided a ministry home for worship, teaching, prayer, fellowship, and discipleship. The move became part of a pattern that would characterize DOWC throughout its history: a willingness to follow God's direction from one season into the next.
The Move to York
After approximately one year on Ebenezer Road, Apostle Tillman moved the congregation to York, South Carolina. For approximately two years, York served as the ministry's primary home. During this season, DOWC continued developing disciples, strengthening believers, and growing in its apostolic and prophetic identity. The ministry that began with seven people in a Rock Hill home was now extending beyond the community in which it had been founded.
Expansion into Newberry
After approximately two years in York, Divine Order Worship Center expanded its work by establishing a second ministry in Newberry, South Carolina. This season required considerable commitment from Apostle Tillman, his family, and those serving alongside him. Early-morning services were held in Newberry, followed by afternoon services in York. The two locations operated under one vision and one Kingdom assignment. The expansion into Newberry demonstrated the ministry's growing apostolic mandate to establish, equip, and serve beyond the boundaries of a single congregation.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” - Mark 16:15
2020: The Transition to Virtual Ministry
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted public gatherings across the country. Like many churches, Divine Order Worship Center faced an unexpected change in how ministry could continue. DOWC transitioned its congregations to virtual worship services. Although in-person gatherings ceased, the ministry continued preaching, teaching, praying, worshiping, and serving through virtual platforms.
This transition reinforced a truth already evident in DOWC's history: the ministry had never depended upon a conventional sanctuary. It had gathered in a home, a hotel, office spaces, and different cities. Virtual ministry became another means of carrying out the same assignment.
2020–2025: The Virtual Years
Divine Order Worship Center remained virtual from 2020 through 2025. What began as a response to the pandemic became an extended season in the life of the ministry. For approximately five years, DOWC continued ministering virtually while awaiting direction concerning its next phase. Though the ministry was no longer gathering physically, the vision remained. This season became one of perseverance, preparation, and waiting for God's direction.
January 2025: The Instruction to Return
In January 2025, the Lord instructed Apostle Tillman to return to the Summerville, South Carolina, area. At the time, the full purpose of the move had not been revealed. Apostle Tillman knew he was to return, but he did not yet know exactly what God intended to establish there. The instruction required obedience without complete understanding and positioned him for what would later become the next chapter of Divine Order Worship Center.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7
December 2025: Reigniting the Vision
In December 2025, the direction became clearer. The Lord instructed Apostle Tillman to reignite the vision of Divine Order Worship Center in Summerville. This was not the beginning of a different ministry. It was a renewed expression of the vision first entrusted to him in 2013.
After years of virtual ministry, DOWC was being called back into an in-person work. The assignment that had begun in Rock Hill and continued through York, Newberry, and the virtual years was entering a new season in Summerville.
New Year's Eve 2025: The First Summerville Service
Divine Order Worship Center held its first service in Summerville on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2025. The service was held in a small space shared with a beauty salon, with four people in attendance.
The setting was modest, but the occasion marked an important moment in DOWC's history. After approximately five years of virtual ministry, the church was gathering physically again. In many ways, the moment reflected the ministry's original beginning. In 2013, DOWC had begun with a handful of people in a home. Twelve years later, its renewed work in Summerville also began small.
“For who hath despised the day of small things?” - Zechariah 4:10
January 2026: The First Sunday Service
On the first Sunday of January 2026, Divine Order Worship Center held its first regular Sunday worship service in Summerville with seven people in attendance. The congregation continued meeting in the space shared with the beauty salon during the first months of 2026. As attendance increased, the ministry soon outgrew the space.
Once again, growth created the need for another move.
April 2026: Trolley Road
In April 2026, Divine Order Worship Center moved into a larger space within an office suite on Trolley Road in Summerville.
The new location provided additional room for worship, teaching, fellowship, and continued ministry development. It also marked significant progress in a remarkably short period: within months of restarting in-person services with four people, the congregation had already outgrown its first Summerville meeting space. Divine Order Worship Center continues to worship and minister from its Trolley Road location today.
Built on an Apostolic, Pre-Tribulation Raptured Church Foundation
Throughout its history, Divine Order Worship Center has maintained its identity as a Spirit-filled, Bible-believing, apostolic and prophetic ministry. The ministry embraces the biblical model of five-fold ministry described in Ephesians 4:11–12 and recognizes Jesus Christ as the Chief Cornerstone of the Church.
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” - Ephesians 2:20
Under the leadership of Apostle J. A. Tillman, DOWC's purpose extends beyond gathering people for worship. The ministry is called to establish, equip, disciple, restore, mature, and prepare believers to fulfill their God-ordained assignments. That purpose has remained consistent even as the ministry's locations and methods have changed.
More Than a Building
One of the clearest themes running through the history of Divine Order Worship Center is that ministry has never been defined by its meeting place. A home, a hotel, an office space, locations in York and Newberry, virtual platforms, a space shared with a beauty salon, and now an office suite on Trolley Road have all served the ministry in different seasons.
The places changed. The purpose remained. That journey gives particular meaning to the name Divine Order. The history of the ministry has required a willingness to begin, move, expand, wait, return, and rebuild according to God's direction.
A Church Called for Such a Time as This
Divine Order Worship Center declares itself to be “A Pre-Tribulation Raptured Church Called for Such a Time as This.” The statement reflects the ministry's commitment to proclaim pre-raptured, biblical truth, restore lives, develop believers, equip leaders, and prepare the Body of Christ for Kingdom service. From its beginning in 2013 through its present work in Summerville, the ministry has experienced seasons of growth, expansion, interruption, waiting, and renewal. Each has contributed to the ministry DOWC is becoming today.
Today, Apostle Tillman continues leading Divine Order Worship Center in the assignment God entrusted to him, with the ministry grounded in the convictions that have shaped its journey:
Jesus Christ is the foundation.
We are a ministry that believes in the pre-tribulation raptured church.
The Word of God is the standard.
The Holy Ghost is the power.
People are the ministry.
The Kingdom of God is the assignment.
The story of Divine Order Worship Center is not finished.
It is still being written.
Divine Order Worship Center
A Church Called for Such a Time as This
Founded in 2013 by Apostle J. A. Tillman
Our Vision:
To see a global body of Spirit-filled believers walking in unity, power, and purpose—fully equipped through the five-fold ministry to impact the world with apostolic authority and prophetic insight. We envision a prepared and purified Bride, rooted in the King James Bible, discerning the times, and boldly declaring the truth of Jesus Christ before His imminent return. Our desire is to ignite revival, awaken the end-time Church, and raise up a generation that moves in holiness, spiritual maturity, and uncompromising faith, carrying the Gospel to the nations and ushering in the coming of the Lord.
We envision a Church that:
- Operates in the fullness of the Five-Fold Ministry (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers), as described in Ephesians 4:11–13, to equip the saints for the work of ministry and bring the Body of Christ into unity and maturity.
- Proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ with boldness and clarity, grounded in the unchanging truth of the King James Version of the Bible, without compromise or dilution.
- Discerns the times and seasons, with a prophetic awareness of God’s timetable, preparing the Church for the imminent, pre-tribulation rapture of the saints and the unfolding of end-time events.
- Raises up a consecrated remnant, walking in holiness, spiritual power, and unwavering faith, who are not only hearers but doers of the Word—demonstrating the authority of Christ through signs, wonders, and the gifts of the Spirit.
- Ignites revival across nations, mobilizing believers to go beyond the four walls of the church, impacting their communities, regions, and the world with the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
- Trains, disciples, and sends leaders who understand their Kingdom purpose and are equipped to fulfill their divine assignments in these last days.
In this final hour, we believe God is raising up a prophetic and apostolic generation, uncompromising in truth, fearless in faith, and prepared to usher in the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Mission:
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, led by the five-fold ministry, and grounded in the infallible Word of God as preserved in the King James Version, D.O.W.C is a non-denominational, Apostolic and prophetic church called for such a time as this. Our mission is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ with boldness and truth, and to prepare a faithful remnant for the imminent return of our Lord and Savior through sound end-time teaching. We are committed to advancing the Kingdom of God through prayer, deliverance, discipleship, and the demonstration of God’s power, raising up mature believers who walk in holiness, operate in spiritual gifts, and fulfill their divine destiny in this final hour.
Our Doctrines of Faith:
We, as a Spirit-filled, non-denominational, five-fold ministry church, affirm the following Doctrines of Faith, grounded in the unchanging truth of the Holy Scriptures, as preserved in the King James Version (KJV). We believe these foundational truths are essential for the life, doctrine, and destiny of every believer.
1. We Believe…
That the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God—profitable for doctrine, correction, instruction, and reproof. We uphold the King James Version as the preserved and authoritative standard for our ministry.
2. We Believe…
In one eternal God, existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—equal in power and glory, Creator of all things, and sovereign over heaven and earth.
3. We Believe…
That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, fully God and fully man, born of a virgin, sinless in life, crucified for our sins, risen from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and soon to return in glory and power.
4. We Believe…
That salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone—not of works—and that through repentance and belief in the Gospel, we are born again and adopted into the family of God.
5. We Believe…
In the necessity of water baptism by immersion and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues, for power, sanctification, and service.
6. We Believe…
In the active operation of the Five-Fold Ministry—Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers—for the equipping of the saints, the edifying of the Body of Christ, and the advancing of the Kingdom of God.
7. We Believe…
In the present-day ministry of the Holy Spirit, including the gifts, fruits, and manifestations of the Spirit, as essential to the life and mission of every believer.
8. We Believe…
In the call to holiness and sanctification, that every believer is to live a life set apart from the world, walking in righteousness, purity, and obedience to the Word of God.
9. We Believe…
That Jesus Christ will return for His Church in the pre-tribulation rapture, and that we are living in the last days, requiring urgent preparation, sound teaching, and spiritual discernment.
10. We Believe…
In the existence of a literal Heaven and Hell, and in the eternal destiny of every soul based on their relationship with Jesus Christ.
11. We Believe…
That the Church is the Body and Bride of Christ, composed of all true believers, and that God is raising up a remnant Church—apostolic, prophetic, and uncompromising—to declare His Word and demonstrate His power in this final hour.
12. We Believe…
In the Great Commission—to go into all the world, preach the Gospel, make disciples, and demonstrate the love and authority of Jesus Christ to every nation, tribe, and tongue.
“Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
—Jude 1:3 (KJV)