The story of the Canaan Christian Church is the story of a people who were willing to “Dare To dream”. On March 16, 1983 the Canaan church was birthed from a prayer meeting of ninety-seven people and a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ who felt the call of God to develop a new church in Louisville Kentucky for God’s glory and the spiritual edification of God’s people.
Dr. Walter Malone, Jr. would become the Pastor and Founder of the Canaan Christian Church.
The initial name of the church was Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, however the name of the church was changed later to Canaan Christian Church because pastor Malone and the congregation believed the new name was more inclusive of reaching people for the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Dare To Dream” became the recurring theme for these people of daring faith and Christian character. The initial ninety-seven, who came from all walks of life, were pushed by faith and pulled by destiny to experience the exciting vision that God had given Pastor Malone.
At the outset the Canaan church had no facility to call their home and to have worship services. Magazine Street Seventh Day Adventist Church would become their temporary place of worship. Because God was ordering the steps of the Canaan church on February 26, 1984 the Church would move into her first Church facility on
Dixie Highway. On that same day Pastor and Mrs. Malone would become the proud parents of their
son, Walter Malone, III.
Within the same year Canaan would acquire two houses adjacent to the church facility. Seven years later in December 1990 the church would celebrate the burning of a 15-year mortgage to that facility and began preparation to pursue a two-phase building project on the existing Dixie Highway property. In March of 1992 the Canaan Church would break ground for a 1.2 million dollar expansion of the church facilities and would march into the new facilities on March 21, 1993.
Because of the continual spiritual and physical growth of the church the need for a larger church facility was demanding. And by faith and the favor of God the Canaan church purchased a church facility once own and operated by South East Christian Church on Hikes Lane. This beautiful facility is comprised of 150,000 square feet, and sits on 22 acres of land. All of this was accomplished through the people of God practicing Biblical Stewardship in the giving of tithes, offerings, and sacrificial gifts.
The focus of the Canaan Christian Church is “A Simple Church With A Kingdom Focus”. This statement expresses clarity and conviction that at the Canaan church we are committed to engaging in ministry that honors God and spiritually empowers people.
As such Christian Education has always been at the forefront of our ministries. We have always made it a priority to make disciples for Jesus Christ. We believe it is our chief responsibility to help every person in our church family to become a spiritually mature person in Christ.
The growth of our church has been based upon “life style evangelism”. We take Jesus serious when He describes us as being “the salt of the earth and the light of the world.” Every year we have challenged every member of our church to seek to bring at least one person to Christ and into the Canaan church. We truly believe our primary purpose is to reach the world for Christ!
When we think of the children of our church we think of our future. In Psalm 127:3-5 we are told “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” At the Canaan church we realize that our responsibility is to invest in people. Therefore if there is to be a generation to inherit the dreams, vision, and ministry of our church we must prepare them today.
Community is a significant word when one thinks about a strong and spiritually mature congregation. At the Canaan church it is our prayer and goal for everyone to have a sense of belongingness to the life and ministry of our church. When the Apostle Paul writes to the church at Ephesus he says to them, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers, and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22) Throughout the life of our church we have enjoyed rich fellowship gatherings that foster a sense of community and spiritual kinship!
Worship is at the very heart of the church. And for the Canaan Christian Church we seek to “worship God in spirit and in truth.” We are clear about the fact that worship is not about entertainment, but rather worship is about having an encounter with the true and living God. Every Sunday in worship our focus is on praise and proclamation! The Pastor, Minister of Music, Liturgical Dance Team, and Media Ministry all work together to ensure that every worship experience is inspirational and insightful through the singing of praise and the teaching of God’s Word. “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:1-2)
This is our story; it is the story of the Canaan Christian Church. And certainly we can say in the words of the saints of old “the Lord has brought us from a mighty long way!”
We celebrate the fact that God is still writing our story. And we bless the name of God for every person and every family that becomes a part of the Canaan church for you become a part of a new chapter of the wonderful things that God continues to do for us and through us for the advancement of His Kingdom. GLORY!
