Our History

The Call to Walk by Faith

Before there was a livestream, a congregation, or a public service, there was a divine commission. While faithfully serving under his grandfather, the late Suffragan Bishop Eddie G. Richards, Jr., at Hazel Crest Assembly Church of the Apostolic Faith in Country Club Hills, Illinois, Pastor Antonio T. Wells entered a season of deep spiritual consecration. As he cared for his grandfather and fulfilled his ministry duties, the Lord began to call upon him personally — not just to serve, but to step out in faith.

During weeks of fasting and prayer, the Lord spoke clearly to Pastor Wells, giving him two divine instructions:

1. Marry Claire, the woman whom God had divinely prepared for him.

2. Return to Waterloo, Iowa — a city where he had previously lived during his educational journey — and plant Faith Walkers Church.

His wife-to-be, Sister Claire Huston, had completed all four years of her undergraduate studies at the University of Northern Iowa, making the Cedar Valley familiar ground for both of them.

In submission to spiritual authority, Pastor Wells shared the word with his pastor and grandfather, Bishop Richards, who urged him to continue in prayer to ensure he had heard from the Lord. Upon further confirmation, Bishop Richards wholeheartedly affirmed the call. He not only blessed the vision, but also confirmed the Lord’s timing for marriage and ministry.

On September 3, 2022, Bishop Richards officiated the union of Antonio and Claire Wells, and the following day, he commissioned them to go forth and fulfill God’s assignment. Bishop Richards remained a faithful supporter of their work until his passing in December 2024, having provided key instruction on how to plant the church and navigate the early stages of ministry.

A Church Born in Obedience

Just over a month after being commissioned, Faith Walkers Church of the Cedar Valley held its very first service on October 9, 2022. With no building, no budget, and no physical team — only a word from God — Pastor Wells livestreamed from his home office, preaching the gospel with boldness and clarity.

For the next several months, Sunday services and Bible Classes were held virtually, as God continued to lay the spiritual foundation. The Word went forth, souls were impacted, and momentum began to build — not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.

Then, on February 19, 2023, the Lord opened a door for in-person Sunday services to begin at the Bien VenU Event Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa (7400 Hudson Road), while Bible Class remained virtual. The church continued to grow spiritually and structurally as the vision unfolded in real time.

Early Miracles & Milestones

God began confirming His Word early in the life of Faith Walkers Church. The first person to attend in-person services outside of Pastor and Lady Wells was Brother Johnathan Jones, a faithful supporter and brother in Christ from New Living Hope Apostolic Church. His presence marked the beginning of outside engagement with the growing work.

On March 20, 2023, while still meeting at the Bien VenU Event Center, Faith Walkers Church celebrated its first baptism — when Brother Isaac Norris was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and later that same evening was filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance.

The Spirit continued to draw others. On Palm Sunday, we baptized Brother Isaac’s brother, Ezekiel Norris, adding to the number of souls being added to the Church. That same season, our small hotel meeting room began to overflow — packing in 35 chairs and often still needing more. The hunger was real, and the presence of God was undeniable.

That year, we also held our first Good Friday service, during which we experienced a powerful move of the Holy Ghost, confirming once again that this was not just a gathering — it was a God-ordained church in motion.

A Season of Expansion and Experience

On Pentecost Sunday 2023, the Lord opened a significant door when Pastor Antonio T. Wells was invited to serve as the incoming pastor of Christ Temple Apostolic Church in Waterloo, Iowa. The opportunity, extended by Suffragan Bishop L.A. Tolbert Jr., envisioned a pastoral transition and a potential merger between Christ Temple and Faith Walkers Church, ushering in a new chapter of apostolic leadership in the Cedar Valley.

At the time, Faith Walkers Church had already affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW) and was actively participating in the Greater Tri-State Council, aligning its mission with the broader Apostolic fellowship.

From May through August 2023, Pastor Wells led Christ Temple with a clear pastoral burden — reinstating weekly in-person Bible Classes, conducting regular baptisms, and witnessing a marked increase in spiritual engagement and church attendance.

However, the intended pastoral transition ultimately did not materialize as leadership direction changed. With grace and clarity, Pastor Wells respectfully resigned, and Faith Walkers Church resumed independent operations, concluding its PAW affiliation and returning to the original vision God had entrusted to Pastor and Lady Wells.

We thank God for every soul saved, every baptism performed, and every lesson learned in that season. It was not a setback — it was a divine assignment that further solidified the identity, purpose, and endurance of Faith Walkers Church.

A New Place, Same Power

On November 12th, 2023, Faith Walkers Church stepped into a new chapter of ministry, holding its first service at 2024 Clearview Street — the home of St. Mark’s Missionary Baptist Church in Waterloo, Iowa. What began as a faithful few — Pastor Wells, Lady Claire Wells, Brother Isaac Norris, and Sister Iyanna Hoskins — marked the start of something greater. God met us there, and the presence of the Lord confirmed that the vision was still alive, and the assignment still active.

Not only were Sunday services held at this new location, but Bible Classes resumed in person as well, restoring the rhythm of worship and discipleship in a sacred space provided by God’s grace. During this time, we acquired our first minister of music, Bro. Rajon Barnes. 

A Season of Revival and Release

While worshiping at St. Mark’s, the Lord stirred a hunger in the atmosphere and a boldness in the mission. In early 2024, Faith Walkers Church hosted its 1st Annual Soul Winners Conference, a defining moment in the church’s young history. Guest speakers included Elder Brandon Nero from Mobile, Alabama, and Minister Dajuan Bell from New York, New York — both of whom ministered powerfully and participated in a thought-provoking doctrinal forum on “The Exclusivity of Jesus’ Name Baptism.” This conference, held on Palm Sunday Weekend, was a joint effort that reignited the church’s evangelistic focus.

Shortly after the conference, Faith Walkers and St. Mark’s Missionary Baptist Church mutually and respectfully parted ways, concluding a fruitful season of partnership.

Once again, the Wells family opened their living room for worship, proving yet again that God doesn’t require buildings — only obedience. For one month, the church continued to gather, pray, preach, and praise in their home, never missing a beat.

Then the Lord opened another door — this time in the heart of the Cedarloo community. Faith Walkers Church began holding services and Bible Classes at the Black Hawk County YMCA at 669 S. Hackett Road, Waterloo, marking a fresh season of visibility, accessibility, and Kingdom movement.

Strengthened Roots, Dual Locations

At the Black Hawk County YMCA, the Lord continued to show His faithfulness. Faith Walkers Church was blessed with the use of the basement facility for weekly services and Bible Classes, offering a consistent and welcoming space in the heart of the Cedarloo community.

This season was marked by stability, spiritual momentum, and the continued preaching of Apostolic truth. The church used what it had, gave God glory for every step, and watched Him continue to make provision.

In time, the Lord led Faith Walkers to return to the Bien VenU Event Center for Sunday worship services, while remaining at the YMCA for weekly Bible Class. This dual-location setup allowed the church to expand its reach and remain planted in two significant areas of Waterloo, serving both saints and seekers with greater flexibility and presence.

Two Years of Faithfulness & A Prophetic Shift

In October of 2024, Faith Walkers Church celebrated two years of ministry, two years of walking by faith, and two years of unwavering obedience to the call of God. The celebration took place at the Bien VenU Event Center, where so many pivotal services had been held.

To commemorate the occasion, Pastor Greg Birch of Moline, Illinois ministered in the morning service, and Pastor Chris Frank of Fort Madison, Iowa ministered in the evening. Both men of God delivered timely, prophetic messages that confirmed what God had already begun to stir: that the season of temporary places was coming to a close, and it was time to move from the hotel into something that felt more like home.

The two-year celebration was not just a milestone — it was a moment of transition, where heaven echoed what had already been declared in prayer: God was making room.

Prophetic Fulfillment & Present Progress

Just as the Word of the Lord declared during the two-year anniversary celebration, the season of wandering gave way to a season of settling. In December 2024, Faith Walkers Church transitioned to 738 April Street in Waterloo — the home of Resurrection Missionary Baptist Church, where Pastor Obadiah T. Buls and his congregation graciously opened their doors for Faith Walkers to hold weekly services.

Since moving into Resurrection, Faith Walkers has been able to host a more structured and efficient version of Word Walkers Wednesdays, with Bible Class, youth engagement, and prayer gatherings now taking place in a traditional church setting. The atmosphere has shifted, and the momentum continues to build.

On March 18th, 2025, the sanctuary was filled with joy as Faith Walkers Church held its first baptisms at Resurrection, baptizing four beautiful souls in the name of Jesus Christ, with one receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is not the end of our story — it is the unfolding of God’s promise. We are yet progressing, yet believing, and yet fulfilling God’s plan for this ministry. The same God who called us out of a home office, who filled hotel rooms with His glory, and who led us step by step through seasons of transition — is still writing the next chapter.

Looking Ahead

Faith Walkers Church of the Cedar Valley stands as a testimony that God honors obedience, preserves vision, and provides in every season. From a livestream in a home office to multiple temporary locations, to open doors, baptisms, and prophetic confirmation — we have truly walked by faith and not by sight.

As we continue to grow, our vision remains clear: to evangelize and equip souls with the gospel of Jesus Christ in Spirit and in truth. We are a church of Faith, Family, and Fellowship, committed to preaching the Apostolic message, living holy, and preparing a people for the soon return of the Lord.

We believe that the best is yet ahead — not just for Faith Walkers Church, but for every soul who will answer the call to walk this journey with us.

We are Faith Walkers. And we are just getting started.