ANDREWS FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD

History of Andrews First Assembly of God.

FIRST ASSEMBLY of GOD began in 1940 in a small store building located on East Broadway. The founding pastor was Mrs. Wilma Herman, and during the early years of the church there were many times that Sis. Herman and her son Jimmy were the only ones attending. In 1943, a lot on the corner of NE Ave. D and First Street was purchased and Sis. Herman and the church began a building program. Sunday school attendance reached 25, and in 1947 construction began on an addition to the church building.

Sis. Herman resigned on May 15, 1948 and Reverend Leon Quillian assumed the duties as pastor. Under Bro. Quillian's administration, the addition to the church building was completed in a few months and attendance in Sunday school reached 70. Bro. Quillian resigned in August of 1949.

On August 28, 1949, Reverend John B. Wharton was elected as pastor by 13 voting members. During the time that Bro. Wharton served First Assembly of God as pastor, the church continued to grow. Within a few years of arriving in Andrews, Bro. Wharton became ill. Although he was not in good health, he continued leading the church to evangelize the city and experience growth. During the week of June 6, Evangelist Raymond Schaeffer was conducting a revival at the church. On Friday night, June 10, 1955 during the altar service, and while praying for other, Bro. Wharton went to heaven.

Under the guidance of District Superintendent, J. H. Thomas, the church elected Raymond Schaeffer as the pastor. Bro. Schaeffer assumed the duties of pastor on June 23, 1955. Under Bro. Schaeffer's administration the church was set in order as a General Council church and officially became the First Assembly of God Church of Andrews, Texas. The first deacons elected were David Glaze, Roy Lee McAfee, and Olen Nickell. The first secretary and treasurer of the church was Mrs. Mary McNett.

On January 28, 1956 the church building was destroyed by fire. The congregation used the Andrews school cafeteria for church services until a new building was completed. Six lots were purchased in the 300 block of NW 10th Street and construction on a 50 x 119 feet new building began. The new building was completed and the congregation conducted the first service in the new auditorium on August 28, 1956 with a record attendance of 257.

Bro. Schaeffer resigned on March 30, 1958, and Reverend Melvin C. Long was elected as the pastor. Bro. Long and his family moved to Andrews from Skiatook, Oklahoma. During the time that Bro. Long served as pastor the church grew to include 61 members and an average of 210 in attendance. Also, a 50 x 60' educational building extending the church facilities northward was completed, and a three bedroom parsonage was built on the north end of the property. In 1962, Bro. Long resigned as pastor.

Reverend Richard V. Luna was elected as Pastor in 1962 following the resignation of Bro. Long. Bro. Luna and his family moved to Andrews from Muleshoe, Texas and served the church until 1968.

Following the ministry of Bro. Luna, the church elected Reverend Raymond. E. Owen as the pastor. Bro. Owen served the church as pastor until 1976. Under Bro. Owen's leadership the church continued to grow in attendance. Bro. Owen's wife, Dorothy passed away in April of 1976, and shortly afterwards Bro. Owen resigned the church.

Reverend Jack Barron from Oklahoma was elected in 1977. During Bro. Barron's administration the church built additional Sunday School rooms. In the spring of 1978, when Bro. Barron's first term was up, the majority of the membership voted to re-elect. However, at that time, the procedure to re-elect a pastor was by a two/thirds majority vote, and a little over 34% of the members were not in favor of re-electing. As a result, Bro. Barron was not re-elected. This created strife and contention in the church. Many of those in favor of re-electing Bro. Barron left the church and founded Maranatha Assembly of God, electing Bro. Barron as their pastor.

Later in 1978, the remaining members elected Reverend Don Wilson to serve as Pastor. Bro. Wilson served as pastor until the spring of 1984.

Following the resignation of Bro. Wilson, the church elected Reverend Don Laird. Bro. Laird served the church as pastor until the summer of 1991.

In 1991 the church elected Reverend Lonnie Fortner to serve as pastor. After Bro. Fortner served one year the church again failed to re-elect a pastor due to the two/thirds majority rule.

On September 13, 1992 the church elected Reverend Kerry Glen Tilley to serve as the pastor. During pastor Tilley's leadership the church became incorporated as Andrews First Assembly of God, Inc.

On April 19, 2009, the church elected Reverend Josh Morris to serve as pastor. He received 100% vote.

PASTOR                          DATE SERVED                  YEARS SERVED

Wilma Herman                1940 - 1948                   8

Leon Quillan                    1948 - 1949                  1

John Wharton                  1949 - 1955                  6

Raymond Schaeffer          1955 - 1958                  3

Melvin C. Long                 1958 - 1962                  4

Richard V. Luna                1962 - 1968                  6

Raymond E. Owen             1968 - 1977                 9

Jack Barron                     1977 - 1978                  1

Don Wilson                     1978 - 1984                   6

Don Laird                        1984 - 1991                   7

Lonnie Fortner                 1991 - 1992                   1

Kerry G. Tilley                  1992 - 2008                  16

Josh Morris                      2009 -

 

 

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