vision & mission statements

Embracing People, Expanding Vision, Pursuing Destiny

Vison Statement

Living Waters Christian Fellowship is a body of Spirit-filled believers united in pursuit of individual and corporate Destiny. Through partnership with the Holy Spirit, we fulfill our global mandate to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through revelatory bible teaching, practical ministry and international missions. Moreover, we are appointed to develop an extraordinary, world-wide body of believers for dynamic visionary leadership in the Twenty-First Century.

Mission Statement

We believe that Christ is the source of all authority and power for the Church through the agency of the Holy Spirit. We believe that we are called with a global mandate to assist in the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15, and Acts 1:8). We believe that the only hope for the twenty-first century Church lies in its ability to be restored unto biblical modes of theocratic government, as well as, its ability to release five-fold ministry and administrative gifts toward the proper equipping of the Body. We believe that the mission of Living Waters Christian Fellowship and moreover, each ministry within, flows from the Church and into the local community, our nation, and the world, through outreach, evangelism and world-class missions.

Our Church History

Living Waters Christian Fellowship’s first service was held on April 20, 1997 at Dozier Middle School in Newport News, Virginia. During this service, well over 200 people connected with the ministry. As the Word came forth, the ministry grew. Not only did the numbers increase, but more importantly, the spiritual maturity of the members and leaders increased. Since then, many have left with the full blessing of the ministry to pursue God’s vision for their own lives. Many others have connected with ministries that were birthed from within the house.

The Living Waters Christian Counseling and Wellness Center was birthed in March of 1998. This facility is a licensed and accredited provider of Christian Counseling services in the Hampton Roads area.

In July of 1998, the Lord directed Pastors Steven and Keira Banks to submit Living Waters to the oversight of Bishop Nathaniel Holcomb of the Christian House of Prayer in Copperas Cove, Texas. Bishop Holcomb oversees over 60 churches and ministries in the U.S., Germany, Australia, the Netherlands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under this new covering, revelation and the capacity for duplication increased.

The Living Waters Center for Leadership Development was also established. This teaching arm of the ministry edifies and establishes believers in service as they engage in serious study of the Word of God. Our Kingdom Kids Children’s Church grew in prominence, and our Sons and Daughters of the Chosen Generation teen program expanded, creating a real presence in the community.

On April 12, 1999, Living Waters closed on the purchase of its first facility formerly known as the Beechmont Theater. The first phase of renovation began May 1, 1999. The first worship service was held on July 4, 1999. Dedication Services of the Worship Center were held September 29 - October 3, 1999.

In March of 2000, Executive Pastor Keira Banks sensed a need to address the status of an emerging class of homeless citizens and families in this area. Members of this silent population were employed, yet still unable to find affordable housing. That July, she founded the Lily Housing Corporation, which provides short-term and long-term housing to working-class families in need.

Living Waters grew yet again in January of 2002, as Bishop Banks established Living Waters International Alliance (LWIA). This is an apostolic network of interdependent churches, businesses and individuals which Bishop Banks oversees, nurtures, develops and speaks wisdom into concerning spiritual, financial and administrative matters. Through this channel, the Lord is imparting the revelation, blessing and spirit He has placed in Bishop Banks into other ministry gifts and servants throughout the world.

There are now over 36 growing ministries under the Living Waters Christian Fellowship umbrella. Living Waters currently hosts various in-house and community-wide events, activities, fellowships and programs throughout the year, affording those from all around the opportunity to fellowship with us and receive spiritual guidance.

Bishop Banks has served as host for radio broadcasts, as well as, “Expanding Your Vision” television broadcast which released the powerful revelation on Kingdom living to those within the Hampton Roads area and beyond.

In June of 2002, we closed on the purchase of our second facility and new home: The Destiny Center. Our first service was held only a short time later in September 2003 with over 1,000 in attendance. This former Shopping Center is a 100,000 sq. ft. structure that will house:

* A 2500-seat Worship Center Revolutionary
* Full-time Secure Christ-Centered Daycare
* Extensive Children’s Area Including Classrooms and a McDonald’s-Style Playland
* Enrichment and Activity Based Teen Development Center
* Missions Outreach Center
* Full Service Christian Store
* Multi-Purpose Gymnasium
* Complete Production Studio for Audio and Video
* Full Service Beauty Salon
* CLD Biblical Studies Institute and more...

In January 2009, an Apostolic Council was established to provide counsel and spiritual oversight to Bishop Steven and Dr. Keira Banks.

In January 2011, Bishop Steven and Dr. Keira Banks shared their vision to expand the ministry to Atlanta, Georgia in order to further pursue the mandates on their lives to provide apostolic and prophetic leadership to the Body of Christ, as well as birth and plant apostolic ministries.

In April 2011, Bishop Steven W. Banks was consecrated to the office of Apostle by Dr. N. Cindy Trimm of Cindy Trimm Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia. He was then recognized and honored as the Chief Apostle and Presiding Bishop of the Living Water International Alliance (LWIA), Network of Pastors, Ministry Gifts and Business Owners.

In June 2011, Founders and General Overseers, Apostle Steven and Dr. Keira Banks set Pastors Charlie and Vikki Ammons in as the Senior Pastors of Living Waters Christian Fellowship. Pastor Charlie Ammons previously served as Assistant Pastor and Pastor Vikki as Youth Pastor at Living Waters.

The pastoral mantles that rest on their lives have allowed them to continue birthing sons and daughters in the faith, provide spiritual and administrative oversight and promote leadership maturity, growth and development.

In September 2011, Living Waters launched a Community Action Team to aid in the ongoing efforts to embrace and aid in the needs within the community. As a result, Living Waters hosted its first Community Awareness Forum with panelists that included the City’s Mayor, Sherriff and Assistant Chief of Police.

On September 11, 2011, Living Waters hosted the first Military Appreciation Day honoring active duty, retired, disabled and those who sacrificed their lives during military service. All four branches of the military were represented during this grand celebration.

Living Waters Christian Fellowship continues to grow and expand numerically and geographically. As we continue to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, more lives are being changed, more people are being set free and more destinies are being fulfilled to the glory of God.