History of Shorewood Hills Assembly of God Church

Transcription

1 History of Shorewood Hills Assembly of God Church 1 Contributors to this article include: Velma Wright, Paul Adcox, Linda Henderson, and Pastor Gerald W. Williams. After much prayer and waiting before the Lord, Rev. Genoal and Velma Wright secured the Shorewood Hills Housing Administration building in Jones Mill Arkansas where they held their first Sunday School on Sunday afternoon June 7, Seven were present: Rev. Genoal Wright, Velma Wright, Kenneth Wright, Reatha Wright (Genoal s mother), Opal Beason, Truman Beason, and Sharon Beason. Shorewood Hills Assembly of God began with this Sunday School. The Wrights were pastoring Oak Grove Assembly of God when the Lord called them to start the new work. To be sure they were hearing from God they continued praying and waiting before the Lord as they held afternoon Sunday School meetings at the Administration building. It wasn t easy to leave Oak Grove Assembly. It was an established church with the comforts of a parsonage. However, in obedience to God they resigned and moved to Jones Mill in August of At the time they had one child, Kenneth Genoal Wright. Their sons Darrel and Philip were born during their pastorate at Shorewood Hills. Photo left: Rev. Genoal & Velma Wright

2 2 The first services were held in the Administration building until the Holy Spirit directed them to the present property, which was purchased October 2, The property included a one room rock building that had previously been a grocery store, and a restaurant. The church moved into the rock building in October Original rock building 1960 Early photo taken inside the original rock building.

3 On February 7, 1963 the mortgage on the rock building and property was paid off. Immediately they began raising funds to build a new church. Much of the funds were raised by selling donuts that were made in the church kitchen. The price was fifty cents per dozen and twenty five cents per half dozen. Countless dozens were sold throughout the Jones Mill, Malvern, and Hot Springs area. Those who remember the donuts say they were better than any other they had eaten. With much prayer, sacrificial giving and hard work, this ambition was realized when on July 7, 1965 the actual work was begun. The original building was retained and used as a fellowship hall and for additional Sunday School classes. The new facility was dedicated June 5, Placing the cornerstone June 5, 1966 Newly constructed facility 1966

4 June 5, 1966 Homecoming - Dedication Service bulletin 4 Today, June 5, 1966, we dedicate a new building. It is not quite complete, but when completed it will be valued over $15, With the beginning Sunday-School attendance of seven we have seen our attendance go up and down as people moved in and out. The last several years, we have had a small increase in average attendance each year. Our attendance for one Sunday has reached 59 and the average attendance for one month has reached 43. Rejoice with us today over the accomplishments the Lord has helped us to make for His glory. We dedicate this house with all furniture unto the Lord. Pastor and Mrs. Genoal Wright. Dedication service June 5, 1966 Dedication service June 5, 1966

5 The mortgage for the new facility was paid off in 1970 and was celebrated with a mortgage burning service on June 7, One hundred eighteen were present. 5 Burning the mortgage June 7, 1970 Center photo: Billie Tankersley, Ed Spears, Rev. Thomas Hasley, Robert Anderson, District Superintendent Fay Hutchinson Mortgage burning service June 7, 1970

6 6 June 3, 1973 Homecoming Bulletin Mortgage burning service June 7, 1970 Homecoming is a very special day at Shorewood Hills Assembly. It was on this day fourteen years ago that Bro. & Sis. Wright and their son Kenneth came to Jones Mill and conducted the first Sunday School. Sunday School was held in the afternoon, as Bro. Wright was then pasturing the church at Oak Grove. Mrs. Reatha Wright (Bro. Wright s mother) and Sis. Opal Beason and her son and daughter were the other ones present for that first Sunday School in June 1959, the first Sunday in June as been Homecoming and it has been observed by all day service, with lunch being served and the afternoon devoted to preaching and singing. On the first Sunday in June in 1966 we had the dedication and corner stone laying of our new building and facilities. It was a day we will long remember and rejoice over. Then the first Sunday in June in 1970 is another milestone that will long be remembered, it was mortgage burning and oh, the joy in knowing the church was all paid and in the clear. We set a new record in Sunday School attendance on this day, of 118. God has been so good, and his blessings so real all down through these fourteen years Today the Church is spiritually strong. Services are Pentecostal and include: praying for individual s needs by laying on of hands with anointing of oil (James 5:14-16), worship, and preaching the Word. The music format is primarily traditional worship-choruses, hymns, and southern and country gospel. At Shorewood Hills Assembly of God you will have the freedom to worship and pray; you will experience the presence of God. Our desire is to lift up Jesus Christ and allow the Holy Spirit complete liberty. We realize our commission to lead the lost to Jesus Christ and to build up the Church body. Come and be blessed through Holy Spirit annointed music and preaching of the Word. We are located at the corner of 1322 Remmel Dam Road and Reynolds Road in Jones Mill Arkansas. Jones Mill is on

7 Highway 270, approximately 6.5 miles north of the Interstate 30 Rockport/Malvern/Hot Springs 98 Exit. 7 Shorewood Hills Assembly of God Pastors Genoal & Velma Wright... June March 1976 Daniel & Deloris Davis. April September 1982 Larry & Donna Stinson. September July 1984 David & Karen Jeffers.. July July 1987 W.W. & Geneva Golden... August November 1998 Geneva Golden.. November October 2001 Larry & Donna Stinson. October May 2007 Gerald & Lore Williams... July Present

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9 Shorewood Hills Assembly of God 9

10 10 Homecoming June 7, 2009 (afternoon service) Homecoming June 7, 2009 (afternoon service)

11 11 Homecoming June 6, 2010 Homecoming June 6, 2010

12 12 Homecoming June 6, 2010 Easter 2010

13 13 Easter 2010 Outside service 2010

14 14 Outside service 2010 Outside service 2010