For Pastors Thynoise and Mary Hines, ministry began in their home. A military family, Pastors Thynoise and Mary, Deborah Marie, Nelson André, Cheryl Lynn, and Victor Eugene found themselves serving in ministry all across the Unites States. New Hope COGIC in Norfolk, VA under Elder Herman Clark, Sr. and Patuxent River Assembly of God in Patuxent River, Maryland under Pastor Benjamin J. Bonnici, Jr. are just two of the many ministries the Lord used as places of preparation for the birth and life of this ministry. After 26 years, the Lord allowed the family to return to the Brunswick area. In 1983, CO-Pastor and founder Evangelist Mary W. Hines answered the call of the Lord and established The Inner Circle Bible Study, which gathered in their home. Shortly thereafter, Evangelist Hines and her husband, Elder Thynoise Hines, again answered the call of the Lord and out of their obedience, City of Refuge Mission (CORM) was brought forth under the umbrella of the Church of God in Christ. Synonymous with the cities of refuge as written in chapters 20 and 21 of the book of Joshua, CORM is established and ordained to be a place of safety and refuge for everyone. People from all walks of life and backgrounds have found safety and restoration in “The City.”

 

On Friday, January 12th, 2007, Co-Founder and Visionary Pastor Mary Hines was called to her heavenly reward. After over 50 years of dedicated service to the Lord, this chapter of her life moved from this life realm to everlasting life with the Father

 

Observing his 97th birthday in January of 2023, Bishop Thynoise Hines remained steadfast in the Kingdom Work of the Lord. On Monday, May 1, 2023, Bishop Thynoise transitioned from this labor and received his eternal reward with Christ Jesus. As patriarch of City of Refuge Mission Family Worship Center, Bishop Hines served as Overseer and Father to the Ministry. Bishop was faithful in service the Lord and had a heart of compassion for God's people. A man of faithful humility, dedicating his life to the work of the ministry, with an understanding and need for a solid foundation of prayer, daily he would intercede for the saints, the Ministry, the community, nation and world. He was a man of few words, but one who was filled with divine wisdom from God. Always approachable, you would find Bishop Hines walking the aisles after service greeting and encouraging God's people. We were blessed to have an Overseer like him!