History of the NAO
Bishop Louis Sylvester Spencer, in 1970, founded and pastored the Victory Tabernacle Church of God in Christ which later combined in 1974 to the Saint’s Home Church of God in Christ where he served faithfully as the church accountant and worked with the music ministry. Also in 1970, Bishop Spencer’s evangelistic ministry grew due to his broadcasting on the W.U.F.O. Radio Station in Buffalo, New York; the door opened for him to serve the North American First Nations (Indian) Reserves across Canada and the United States. The first meeting was held at the Six Nations Reserve in Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada. Opportunities were then opened for Bishop Spencer to travel to the “North Country” reserves.
During 1975, Bishop Spencer toured over 50 reservations in North America, of which many were untouched by the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1980, Bishop Spencer began the ordination of pastors in Canada under the Native American Outreach which he founded and later incorporated in 1987. After its incorporation, Bishop Spencer licensed Pastors to serve their Native communities.
Bishop Spencer was later consecrated and installed on October 13, 2001. Following his consecration, he served as the Chief Presiding Prelate and Founder of the Native American Outreach Fellowship, which was later incorporated on July 9, 2002, as the North American Outreach Fellowship International. Bishop Spencer grew this fellowship with the help of Bishop Phillip Ireland, Bishop Lyle Johnson, and many others who have transitioned to their heavenly rest.
Bishop Spencer is the first black pioneering Bishop to serve six Native American Nations in the United States and Canada, and he is the first Bishop to ordain the ministers to serve these nations.
Bishop Spencer’s last official act of duty occurred on October 11, 2019, when he with all due forethought and a willingness of heart and mind, stepped aside and officially installed Bishop Joseph Lee Brown as the Presiding Prelate of the North American Outreach Fellowship International, Inc. This selfless act provided for the continuance of the NAO Fellowship. As Bishop J.L. Brown’s first official act as the Presider, he emeritized Bishop Spencer who then carried out the title of Prelate Emeritus. Bishop Spencer transitioned to be with his heavenly Father on August 25, 2022.
Apostle Joseph Lee Brown, founder of University Ministries International, served in the ministry for over 60 years. Apostle J.L. Brown served as the Jurisdictional Bishop of the Southeast Region for the North American Outreach (NAO) Fellowship, under the leadership of the then presiding prelate, Bishop Louis S. Spencer until October 11, 2019, when he was installed as the Presiding Prelate.
Apostle J.L. Brown’s work in the ministry was expansive and international. Apostle J.L. Brown created innovative programs for university students and the community. Apostle J.L. Brown also served as the Chief Apostle for the Global Evangelistic Outreach Network. Apostle J.L. Brown was known for appointing and supporting women in ministry, and for his faith and anointing. He traveled all over the world releasing healing and miracles in the name of Jesus, and he witnessed the power of answered prayers…many were delivered and set free. He taught, trained, and conducted seminars and conferences to equip men and women of God for Kingdom’s work. He fed the hungry, clothed the naked, gave to the needy, and cared for widows and orphans. His ministry touched thousands in 49 US states, the Nassau Bahamas, Cameroon Africa, Niagara Falls Canada, Cannes France, Israel, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Seoul Korea, Lagos Nigeria, London England, Tijuana Mexico, South Africa, Taipei China, Muar Malaysia, and Monte-Carlo France.
Apostle J.L. Brown demonstrated apostolic leadership, prophetic utterance, expansive evangelistic outreach, effective teaching, and pastoral covering and care. He demonstrated spiritual intelligence by operating with a powerful apostolic authority. He was a prayer warrior and General in the army of the Lord. Apostle J.L. Brown transitioned to be with his heavenly Father on November 20, 2022.
Bishop Joseph “Joel” Wesley Brown II, senior pastor and founder of Faith Celebration Church (Lakeland), served as an administrative Bishop in the North American Outreach Fellowship International, Inc. during the tenure of his father, Apostle J.L. Brown. Prior to the transition of Apostle J.L. Brown, Bishop Joel Brown was appointed as the Presiding Prelate of the North American Outreach Fellowship International, Inc.
Bishop Joel Brown, with 25+ years in ministry, is also overseer of Faith Celebration Kissimmee and Faith Celebration Miami, is passionate about Christ, and he is devoted to building, training, and equipping God’s people via prophetic trainings and five-fold ministry trainings (Eph. 4:11-16). Bishop Joel Brown’s passion is for the people of God to carry out the work of God’s mission in their lives, their families, their churches, and in their communities.
Bishop Joel Brown is an author, accomplished musician, and adjunct professor with his Juris Doctorate from Mercer University School of Law. Bishop Joel Brown is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Southeastern University.
What We Believe
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THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible to be the fully inspired and the only infallible, authoritative Word of God in all matters of faith and conduct.
THE TRINITY
We believe that there is one God; eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
THE SAVIOR
We believe in the true deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in the blessed hope of His personal, second coming to this earth to receive His Church.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the deity of the HOLY SPIRIT who proceeds from the FATHER and the SON and His work in conviction of sin, repentance, regeneration and sanctification, and that the believer is also promised an endowment of power as the gift of Christ through the BAPTISM in the HOLY SPIRIT with signs following. Through this endowment the believer is empowered for fuller participation in the ministry of the Church, worship, evangelism and service.
SALVATION
We believe that the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ. We believe in the necessity for salvation, of repentance towards God, and faith in the LORD JESUS CHRIST by which the sinner is pardoned and accepted as righteous in God's sight. This justification is imputed by the grace of God because of the atoning work of Christ, is received by faith alone and is evidenced by the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT and a HOLY LIFE.
FAITH
We believe that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Therefore, as Believers, our inheritance is that we deal with every circumstance, not through our own natural abilities or understanding, but to operate by faith in God.
HOLINESS
We believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by Whose indwelling enables the Christian to live by the standard of righteousness and holiness.
FIVE- FOLD MINISTRY
We believe in the ministries that Christ has set in HIS CHURCH, namely, APOSTLES, PROPHETS, EVANGELISTS, PASTORS, and TEACHERS, and in the present operation of the manifold GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT according to the NEW TESTAMENT. TITHING We believe in tithing the first tenth of our income back to the Lord.
MARRIAGE
We believe in the holy union between a man and a woman.
DIVINE HEALING We believe in the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil for the sick in Jesus' name for healing from sickness and disease. We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing of the human body in answer to believing prayer.
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the baptism with the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, with evidence of speaking in other tongues, is given to Believers who ask for it.
ORDINANCES
We believe in water baptism, in obedience to the command of Christ, and the commemoration of Christ's death by the observance of the Lord's Supper until He returns.
COMMISSION
We believe that the Gospel of Christ embraces the needs of the whole man and that the church is therefore commissioned to preach the gospel to the world and to fulfill a ministry of healing and deliverance to the spiritual and physical needs of mankind.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20
ETERNAL LIFE
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation.