Coalition of Black Members (CBM) of the ALC.  CBM's purpose was to identify Black Lutheran churches and address the concerns and needs of those churches.  Founding members were William Small and Gloria and Roland Cardwell.  Dr. Theodore Speigner served as co-pastor with Pastor Wittenberg for a brief period in 1974.  The congregation was assisted in these early years by a subsidy from the National Board of the American Missions.

On October 28, 1975, Pastor Michael D. Wendt was installed as the third pastor of the congregation.  The membership continued to grow as did the activities of individual members.  During this period, the church was represented by members nationally on the Board of Pensions, Capital University Board of Regents, Coalition of Black Members Board, Board of Theological Education and Ministry, and the World Council of Churches.  The church was represented on the United Christian Ministry, and the World Council of Churches.  The church was represented on the United Christian Ministry Board at North Carolina Central University and the Lutheran Campus Ministry at Duke University as a part of the outreach ministry.  Pastor Wendt helped to develop social service programs at Soul City, and served as the Interfaith Committee chair for a number of years.  Marilyn Bell and Gloria Cardwell also served on this committee.  Geneva Fitts served on the board of Healthco, a regional rural health delivery program.  Two sons of the church, Albert Starr and Willard McKiver became ministers in the Lutheran Church.  Valora Starr, a daughter of the church became director for Growth and Witness for the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA).

The youth group traveled throughout the country and received national acclaim for the dynamic performances of "Are You Listening", an African American presentation of folklore, song, dance and poetry, directed by Charlotte "Shoonie" Hartwig.  Several young people who participated in these performances were launched into professional careers.

In January, 1981, Abiding Savior increased its financial commitment to its ministry which resulted in the congregation becoming self supporting.  With a new and more positive self image, the church continued to maintain its diverse outreach programs which included hosting students from St. Olaf's College in Northfield, Minnesota for two weeks each year through the "Durham Connection", sponsoring a refugee family from Ethiopia,

lending assistance to the Trinity House, and providing emergency financial assistance for food and housing to the community.  Pastor Wendt served until October, 1987.  Pastor Hugh Beck served as interim pastor, and with his capable leadership and the help of the president of the congregation, Shelred Cunningham, a call was issued.

On January 1, 1989, Pastor Paul Palumbo was ordained and installed as the fourth pastor at Abiding Savior.  Pastor Palumbo arrived at a time of transition.  Three national church bodies had just merged.  Members of  Abiding Savior had served on the transition team and were elected to boards and committees in the new Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

During the 1990's the church continued to grow in membership as well as spiritually and fiscally. Ecumenical alliances were formed with local churches.  Members of the congregation continued to served locally, synodically and nationally.  The men of the congregation organized a men's group of  Lutheran Men in Mission, while the ladies participated in the Women of the Evangelical Church in America (WELCA). Commitment to the community remained strong. Members of the congregation participated in Durham Congregations In Action and actively supported Churches For Action (CFA) with a majority of the Board of Directors represented by Abiding Savior parishioners. CFA purchased and renovated a house at 602 Holloway St. for the purpose of establishing a transition home for homeless men. From the very beginning, The Church of the Abiding Savior, Lutheran supported Phoenix House through volunteer member participation and monetarily through a line item allocation in its budget.   

The FunDay in the Word Ministry was implemented to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to children in the Hearthside Community.  This Saturday morning  program ministered to children using bible stories, arts, crafts and fun activities.

Several capital improvement projects were completed: the parking lot was paved, updates and improvements were made to the exterior of  the building, the seating in the sanctuary was replaced and adjacent property was purchased. Variety and creativity were introduced into worship services.  A focus on the liturgy and the music used in worship, resulted in the addition of three new liturgies.  One of the liturgies, called "The Abiding Savior Mass" was developed in the congregation and uses music and melodies 

familiar to the African American heritage. 

The congregation remained nurturing, caring and steadfast in faith, hope and love and was blessed as two members of the congregation, Kenya Davis and Marda Messick, attended Lutheran Seminaries. 

Pastor Paul Palumbo accepted a call to a congregation in Lake Chelan, Washington, leaving in August, 1998.  Pastor Jack Bernlohr  was selected to be interim pastor.  He  very ably led the congregation through December of 1999, when the congregation called a new pastor.

Pastor Gordon Myers arrived in January of 2000 filled with energy and enthusiasm.  Pastor Myers was installed as the fifth pastor of The Church of the Abiding Savior, Lutheran on February 6, 2000. During his first year, Abiding Savior successfully underwent a campaign to raise money for a Church Bus.  Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Damon Washington, the Church was able to realize its goal far sooner than expected. On the 36th anniversary of the church, the church bus was dedicated.

In October 2001, the congregation expressed its commitment to nurturing and developing leadership for the Church by entering the Internship Program. Our first Intern, Vicar CeCee Mills arrived and began her learning and ministry which encompasses every aspect of parish life and includes a special out-reach to the students at NCCU.  

In 2002, Abiding Savior received approval as a "Horizon Internship Site" from the ELCA. "Horizon" congregations are selected because they offer a unique or desirable context within which persons preparing for ordained ministry can grow and develop their pastoral skills and experience.  Vicar Michael Sewell, the first "Horizon" intern, arrived in September, 2002. 

The 38^th anniversary iwas marked by an intentional focus on evangelism and "Making God's Love Known".  Using technology and the expertise of Pastor Myers, the voices and faces of the congregation can be heard and seen reading the Gospel of John on a CD produced to share with visitors.