How it all started...
Prosperity in Life is what IFDM was originally named it was born out of a burning word from the Lord to our servant Ulyess Upchurch Sr., and our handmaiden Antoinette Upchurch. The cry of the people in the last hour is for the teaching and preaching of God’s word. After their early reception of salvation at the ages of twelve (12) and eight (8), they began to be taught the word extensively both in church and in the home. God called Elder Ulyess to join the United States Navy in what he thought to be a youthful adventure.
In September of 1992 while in the military Ulyess and Denise joined Flames of Fire COGIC, under the direction of Pastor Jerry Brown. Pastor Ulyess accepted the call to ministry and began with a noted teaching ministry from the start. Shortly after, the prophetic utterance began to flow in his life. He has preached, prophesied, and taught God’s word throughout the states of Virginia and North Carolina areas. Evangelist Denise, his wife has ministered along side of her husband for years. She has a noted Evangelistic and prophetic ministry to the body of Christ. She has evangelized and prophesied throughout the states of Virginia and North Carolina as well. These two young people have been tested, taught, and released to the body of Christ to do a work in team ministry for the Lord.
In December of 1996, they moved back to their home state of North Carolina. Pastor Ulyess continued his military career in the Naval Reserves and a civilian career for the City of Sanford, Public Works.
In June of 1997 God gave Pastor Ulyess a vision for Prosperity in Life Ministries, in preparation for this work God led them to serve as Youth Pastors and Evangelists for 4 years at Cry Out Loud Ministries, in Sanford, NC. When that season was over God later led Pastors Ulyess and Denise to continue to prepare to be pastors by sending them to Christian Faith Ministries to help Pastor Donald Kivett establish a church in Carthage, NC. They served as Associate Pastors and Pastor Ulyess was the Executive Director of the Board. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States took them out of the area. Pastor Ulyess was called upon to serve in the homeland Security mobilization mission known as Operation “Noble Eagle”. After one year of active duty service at Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia they were able to return home. While in Virginia again Pastor Ulyess served as the 4th administrative asst. to Bishop Jerry Brown, Pastor of the newly Incorporated “Flames of Fire Churches of Divine Deliverance”. Pastor Jerry Brown has been a long time father in the Gospel for these two Pastors.
At the beginning of 2003 God spoke to Pastor Ulyess and told him to change the name of the Ministry to Increasing Faith Ministries! Prosperity in Life has become an outreach ministry of Increasing Faith Ministries.
In August of 2003 the Lord spoke to Pastor Ulyess concerning a church building he saw everyday on is way to work. The Lord led him to talk to the Pastor of the church concerning holding services there while Increasing Faith grows in number.
Pastor Donald Kivett was over joyed to hear the good news and laid hands on them, to send them forth to do the work God has given them to do. On October 1, 2003 they began bible study on Wednesday nights. The Wednesday nights turned into Sunday mornings and God added to the church.
The 3rd Sunday Morning in December 2003 God opened a door for us to move into a rented building of our own at 522 John Garner Road.
On October 31, 2004 Bishop J. Matthew Brown installed them as Pastors in affiliation with “The Church of Divine Deliverance”.
In September of 1992 while in the military Ulyess and Denise joined Flames of Fire COGIC, under the direction of Pastor Jerry Brown. Pastor Ulyess accepted the call to ministry and began with a noted teaching ministry from the start. Shortly after, the prophetic utterance began to flow in his life. He has preached, prophesied, and taught God’s word throughout the states of Virginia and North Carolina areas. Evangelist Denise, his wife has ministered along side of her husband for years. She has a noted Evangelistic and prophetic ministry to the body of Christ. She has evangelized and prophesied throughout the states of Virginia and North Carolina as well. These two young people have been tested, taught, and released to the body of Christ to do a work in team ministry for the Lord.
In December of 1996, they moved back to their home state of North Carolina. Pastor Ulyess continued his military career in the Naval Reserves and a civilian career for the City of Sanford, Public Works.
In June of 1997 God gave Pastor Ulyess a vision for Prosperity in Life Ministries, in preparation for this work God led them to serve as Youth Pastors and Evangelists for 4 years at Cry Out Loud Ministries, in Sanford, NC. When that season was over God later led Pastors Ulyess and Denise to continue to prepare to be pastors by sending them to Christian Faith Ministries to help Pastor Donald Kivett establish a church in Carthage, NC. They served as Associate Pastors and Pastor Ulyess was the Executive Director of the Board. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States took them out of the area. Pastor Ulyess was called upon to serve in the homeland Security mobilization mission known as Operation “Noble Eagle”. After one year of active duty service at Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia they were able to return home. While in Virginia again Pastor Ulyess served as the 4th administrative asst. to Bishop Jerry Brown, Pastor of the newly Incorporated “Flames of Fire Churches of Divine Deliverance”. Pastor Jerry Brown has been a long time father in the Gospel for these two Pastors.
At the beginning of 2003 God spoke to Pastor Ulyess and told him to change the name of the Ministry to Increasing Faith Ministries! Prosperity in Life has become an outreach ministry of Increasing Faith Ministries.
In August of 2003 the Lord spoke to Pastor Ulyess concerning a church building he saw everyday on is way to work. The Lord led him to talk to the Pastor of the church concerning holding services there while Increasing Faith grows in number.
Pastor Donald Kivett was over joyed to hear the good news and laid hands on them, to send them forth to do the work God has given them to do. On October 1, 2003 they began bible study on Wednesday nights. The Wednesday nights turned into Sunday mornings and God added to the church.
The 3rd Sunday Morning in December 2003 God opened a door for us to move into a rented building of our own at 522 John Garner Road.
On October 31, 2004 Bishop J. Matthew Brown installed them as Pastors in affiliation with “The Church of Divine Deliverance”.
Expanding the vision...
Over 7 years ago IFDM was donated land by one of members of the church. In June of 2017 we built a new facility on the land you see pictured to the left! Our new church building was erected!
Where we are headed...
IFDM has vision to build 3 churches in one! We look have a children's church, teen church, and adult church/conference Center! Come join us on this wonderful journey to educate, mentor, and equip the next generations to become disciples and productive citizens of the world.
