Universal Outreach Church was formally started on the first Sunday of July 2001 at Harbison West Elementary School, Columbia, SC. We began at 9:00 a.m. with 15 persons in attendance. Before the first worship service was held, Pastor Alonzo and Dr. Richel Johnson reached out to children and families in the community with programs ranging from a Girl Scout troop to a community basketball league. Members of our sister church, Bowman Temple were instrumental in those early months, assisting with the outreach programs, the music ministry and in other areas.

In September of 2003, we purchased the building where we currently meet and it was renovated and dedicated in February of 2004. From this location at 7232 Broad River Road, Irmo, SC, the church has continued to grow in numbers and in the outreach ministries that it offers to the community. Under the leadership of a visionary pastor, supported by a dynamic group of members, the membership is thriving and the ministries to the community are indeed making a positive impact. On August 15, 2010,  Pastor Johnson, assisted by Elder Anthony Ramsey and a group of believers, planted the Community Outreach Church in Charlotte, NC.  Elder Ramsey is the pastor of that congregation. 

Universal Outreach serves in the Capitol District of the Church of God in Christ in South Carolina. Our sister churches include: Berean Church,  Ecclesia, New Life, Solid Rock, Refuge Temple, and Resurrection House.  Dr. Alonzo Johnson is the Superintendent; Mother Annie Pearl Moody is the District Missionary. Bishop Johnnie James Johnson is our prelate and Mother Willie Mae Rivers, our International Mother, is the Jurisdictional Supervisor of the Women’s Department.