Church, First United Pentecostal Church of Jena, LaSalle Parish, La. Submitted by Gary Smith ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** "1949" Fiftieth Anniversary "1999" Early History God's Word informs us of the birth or beginning of the New Testament Church in Acts Chapter two. Since the Church began on the day of Pentecost those who teach and receive the Holy Ghost, as the 120 did on that day, are referred to as Pentecostals. Pentecost was a Jewish feast day occurring fifty days after the Passover. From that day and events occurring on that day we derive our name Pentecostal. An effort to begin a church in Jena was first put forth by one, Rev. Garland Havis, of whom little is known unto us. During this time Rev. A.D. Varnado came to Jena and preached for Bro. Havis. Bro. Varnado related the following message on August 10,1989. He was near 90 years old at this time. "My family and I were staying in the home of Rev. B.E. Echols and for about two weeks I was sick even unto death with appendicitis, with my family thinking I was dying, when three ministers, Bro. Otto Owens, Bro. Echols and Bro. W.R. Pair came and prayed for me and God completely healed me. I was in Yellow Pine, La.(which is near Homer,La.)during this time of sickness and recieved a letter from Bro. Havis asking me to come to Jena for a revival. I was without money for a train ticket and Sis. Varnado asked."How are you going to get there?"to which I replied,"I'm going to ride the train as far as my money will buy a ticket to go, then walk the rest of the way." The next morning I went to the post office in Yellow Pine and there was some money from my sister, Lucille Holiday, the one and only time she ever sent me any money. I don't recall the amount, but I do remember buying a train ticket to Jena and having enough money left to give my wife $20 to use while I was gone. In Jena I preached two weeks for Bro. Havis under a Brush Arbor. Several received the Holy Ghost and were baptized in Jesus Name. Bro. Havis and his family lived in an old covered truck as they endeavored to establish a church in Jena, that I remember about him. If Bro. Havis were living today he would be well over 100 years old. I was in Jena the latter part of 1929 for that revival and no other Pentecostal churches had been established in the area. Leaving Jena, I went to Clarks,La. and preached for Rev. Jimmy Wrinkle. Later in 1934 I came to the Sharp Town Community and preached a message on water baptism in Jesus Name. I stood in the back of a pick up truck and preached and the woods were full of people listening to me. Following that message I don't know how many were baptized in Jesus Name," Although Bro Havis is unkown to us Heaven bears record of his work here in Jena and we pause to salute both he and Bro. Varnado for their contribution some 70 years ago toward the founding of this church. Difficult were those days, to say the least, as the Great Depression gripped our area with unemployment and poverty. Sacrifices made by people such as Bro. Havis and Bro. Varnado will never be forgotten by God or men. Our generation arises to honor and thank you for your sacrifices and contributions to God's Kingdom. Later LaSalle Parish was introduced to this phenomenon of Pentecost by the late Rev. Jessie King and Rev. Otis Davidson, both now deceased, along with Rev. Mack Davidson who presently resides in Cotton Valley, La. The Belah community, near Jena, was the sight of the first revival conducted by these men in the early 30's. Afterward these same men went to the Sharp Town, Nebo community and began another church now known as Shady Grove. Both of these churches remain thriving landmarks in their respective communities until this day. Other churches were established in surrounding areas, namely Aimwell, Blade and French Fork, along with other parish towns and communities having Pentecostal Churches established in them. These too remain vibrant assemblies with beautiful edifices in which to worship. I may note here that the Blade and French Fork communities combined their churches and founded the church now known as Whitehall Pentecostal Church. TENT REVIVAL ON HIGH SCHOOL STREET In the ensuing years following Bro. Havis' efforts in Jena, as previously noted, churches were established in the out-lying areas. During July and August of 1949 two of these churches combined their efforts and resources and conducted a tent revival in Jena. Rev. W.E. Gamblin, a noted evangelist from Philadelphia, Mississippi, preached this revival and was assisted by Doug Self, an outstanding singer, leading the singing. Crowds thronged to the tent stretched on High School Street, across the street from Jena High School. The tent was furnished with a small platform, sawdust on the ground, and old slat type benches to sit on. Bro. Gamblin in his inimitable style preached the word of God on subjects of prophecy, the oneness of God, and water baptism in Jesus name. Many received the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking with other tongues, being baptized in Jesus name during this six week revival. A report in the November 1949 issue of the Pentecostal Herald sent in by Rev. A.L. Clanton, a pastor at Shady Grove reads as follows: "We have recently closed a very successful revival in the town of Jena. This meeting was sponsored by the Pentecostal Churches at Belah and Shady Grove, and was under the direction of Bro. Dan Parker. Evangelist W.E. Gamblin did the preaching and was ably assisted by Bro. Doug Self, a gospel singer. Large congregations assembled each night under the gospel tent. Thirty -six were baptized in the name of Jesus and about thirty received the Holy Ghost. Bro. Parker is in charge of the work and will begin erecting a church building there soon. God is also blessing at Shady Grove. Since our last report several have come to the Lord. Our Sunday School averaged 179 for the month of August. We plan to dedicate our new building soon. Pray for us." Some of those who received the Holy Ghost in the tent revival were; Bernice Whatly, Marjorie Elliott, Susan Butler, Enola Thorla, Tom Thorla Sr., Thomas (Bodid) Thorla, Bill Randall, Elma Randall, L.C. Coon, Audie Chevalier, Evie Corley, Wint Francis, Odis Allien, Mrs. Nugent, and Mrs. Terrell. We regret we only have this partial list but were unable to secure all 30 names of those who received the Holy Ghost. Bro. Gamblin continues to be active in the ministry. He has conducted some of the most successful revivals of our movement as well as establishing a great church in Jackson, Mississippi. He is an esteemed elder and one of the most noted speakers in the United Pentecostal Church until this day. His contributions toward founding the church in Jena is deeply appreciated by both the old and young alike. FIRST PERMANENT CHURCH BUILDING At the close of the tent revival on High School Street, Rev. J.D. (Dan) Parker founded and established the United Pentecostal Church of Jena. About 12 charter members made up their first organized group of Pentecostal believers. On August 29, 1949 property on the corner of First and Russell Streets was purchased from Mr. John Kennon for a sum of $670.00 being paid for the two city lots. Bro. Parker being a skilled carpenter began work immediately on the first permanent church building to be erected in Jena. Working endless hours himself, Bro. Parker recieved assistance from the small congregation with donations being contributed by many of the towns-people. Bro. Parker and his young congregation moved in their newly constructed building on November 11,1949 for their first service. During the formative years of the church it is interesting to note that Odis Allien used his army mustering out pay to go on the church building. Stella Brewer, now deceased, served as the first Sunday School Superintendent, quite a feat for a lady in those days. Sis. Brewer was powerful in prayer and a staunch supporter of the church until her death. Her son, Verden Brewer, followed in his mothers footsteps and served as Sunday School Superintendent for 30 years. Verden's wife, Christine, held the office of Youth President for the same 30 years. Both are still faithful to the church. Bro. Kevin Green, Bro. Verden and Sis. Christine's grandson, is Youth Pastor at this time. So many have contributed so much until eternity will have to reveal their real contributions to this church. Bill and Elma Randall were among the charter members. Odis Allien and his family have made great contributions along with his brother Lonnie Allien and his family. The Claude Goodwin family, Annie McCaskill, along with countless others have prayed, given, and worked to produce what we enjoy today. Those who were with Bro. Parker during the days when this first building was going up told me that he would fast for days while working hard on the building. Bro. Parker was and is a man of prayer as well as an accomplished minister. Such were the sacrifices upon which the United Pentecostal Church of Jena was built. Times were hard and money was scarce but God blessed and the church grew under Bro. Parkers' leadership. Bro. Parker and his family remained in Jena until 1951 and then under a directive from God went out to build and establish several congregations. His last pastorate was in Ames, Iowa where he pioneered a new work. Today there is a beautiful building and congregation in Ames, a tribute to the name of the Lord and a monument to Bro. and Sis. Parker and family for their 15 years of service there. Today Bro. and Sis. Parker are semi-retired in Cotton Valley, La. however, they continue to travel and minister in many of our churches. Bro. Parker is loved and respected by this congregation for his untiring efforts and tremendous sacrifice in building this church. A beautiful picture of Bro. and Sis. Parker hangs permanently in the First United Pentecostal Church as a memorial and tribute to them. Thank you Bro. and Sis. Parker, we will never forget you and God will not fail to reward you. GROWTH CONTINUES After Bro. Parker had resigned the church, Rev. R.W. Coody and his family came to Jena in 1951 and remained as pastor until 1955. Bro. Coody then resigned to go to Ball, La. to continue work as a pastor. Rev. Doyle Aaron became pastor of the church in 1955 and remained in Jena until 1956. Bro. and Sis. Aaron now make El Paso, Texas their home after spending many years in Glenmora, La. as pastor. Rev. J.P. Cupples had been pastoring in the Belah community near Jena during the formative years of the Jena Church. After Bro. Aaron's resignation, Bro. and Sis. Cupples were chosen to be the leaders of the church and served here in Jena from 1956 until 1957. Both Bro. and Sis. Cupples are now deceased but many people in this church and surrounding churches were baptized by Bro. Cupples and recieved the Holy Ghost under his ministry. They were wonderful people and the memory of them still warms our hearts. Bro. Cupples sent the following report to the Pentecostal Herald, it appeared in the May 1957 issue: "God has greatly blessed our efforts since we recently accepted the pastorate here. During a four-weeks revival with Bro. and Sis. Thomas L. Craft of Anacoco, Louisiana, six recieved the Holy Ghost, and four were baptized in Jesus Name. The revival was a great help to our church. We recommend Bro. and Sis. Craft as able evangelist." Rev. and Mrs. Perry Long from Texas moved to Jena as pastor in 1957 and continued their work until 1959. During their tenure as pastor Sis. Long underwent a long serious illness, however, God raised her up and blessed her with a beautiful baby daughter after that. While here they remodeled the inside of the building, bricked the outside, added a new entry, along with improvements to the parsonage. Bill and Elma Randall, charter members of the church, lived next door to the church and had allowed the church to buy their home to be used as a parsonage. Here the Longs and other pastors lived for many years. Following Bro. Long as pastor, Rev. and Mrs. U.A. Massey moved to Jena in 1959 and remained until 1961. Bro. Massey was an outstanding Bible teacher and Sis. Massey was an outstanding Evangelistic speaker. During their tenure some physical work was done on the building, A Vacation Bible School was conducted, and a ladies group organized. Bro. Massey has now gone to his eternal reward. Rev. and Mrs. C.R. McNeely, an outstanding Evangelist became pastor of the church in 1961 and remained here until 1962. Upon leaving Jena they returned to their native state of Texas. Moving to Jena from Colfax, La. was Rev. C.D. Thornton and family. Bro. Thornton became pastor in 1962 and continued his leadership until 1968. While pastor, Bro. Thornton and the church added on the present two story educational building, purchased additional property adjacent to the church and constructed a new parsonage on that property. Other improvements were made and much was accomplished under Bro. Thornton during his 6 1/2 years as pastor. Up until this time he had remained in Jena longer than any previous pastor. Bro. and Sis. Thornton now pastor a thriving church in Lake Charles, La. and are highly respected in our district. Rev. Wayne Pounders and his family moved to Jena from Haynesville, La. in 1968 and continued their work for the following 9 1/2 years before resigning in 1978. Under Bro. Pounders' leadership the indebtedness of the church was retired, a new Fellowship Hall and Evangelistic Quarters built, another house and lot adjacent to the church was purchased. In 1976 an extensive remodeling project was undertaken as the central auditorium was enlarged and rearranged, new furnishing installed and the outside of the building covered with Arkansas stone. The newly refurbished auditorium furnished a seating capacity of near 300, enhancing the value of the property in 1977 to $175,000.00. Upon Bro. Pounders' resignation Rev. and Mrs. Mack Sterling became pastor in 1978 and remained in Jena until 1979. During this this time the remodeled properties and a portion of the indebtedness retired. Bro. and Sis Sterling's resignation created a vacancy and a need for a new pastor. In 1979 Rev. and Mrs. Crawford Coon and their two children, who were pastoring in Columbus, Indiana, were chosen as our new leaders. Bro. Coon is a native of LaSalle Parish, grew up in the Shady Grove Church, and graduated from Jena High School. His wife, the former Gayle Davis, grew up in the French Fork-Whitehall Church near Jena. During his tenure as pastor the indebtedness of the church was retired, new carpet and drapes were installed in the parsonage, the properties landscaped, the educational building remodeled , the Church was incorporated and by-laws were established, new sound equipment, an organ, and other equipment was purchased. In 1984 almost an entire city block was purchased for $60,000.00 with future growth and expansion in mind. Three years later this property was paid for by the generous donations and the work of the membership. An entire refurbishing of the church property has been going on during 1989 with the parsonage being given a new roof and coat of paint, new carpet in the auditorium-fellowship hall and guest quarters, all buildings repainted and repaired, new furnishings and remodeling for the guest quarters, with new pews and furniture for the sanctuary. During this time the platform has been enlarged, a choir loft built, new choir and platform chairs installed, and the P.A. equipment upgraded. Many comfortable improvements will greet you during this grand celebration of our 50th church anniversary. For each of them we are grateful and all has been done for the glory of God. Pastor Crawford Coon continues as a vibrant leader having served our church longer than any previous pastor. He holds a Masters Degree in theology, along with numerous college hours in other fields, has authored two books. He has an active teaching ministry not only in this church but in other churches and districts as a camp, conference, and seminar speaker. He is celebrating 40 years as a full time minister and 20 years as pastor in Jena while we celebrate this 50th church anniversary. It is also interesting to note that Bro. Coon was a regular attender at the tent revival on High School Street as a child of 8 years old. He also painted the old church parsonage while Bro. Long was in Jena. Visiting the church on numerous occasions acquainted him with most of the people, but never during those years did he or the congregation imagine he would ever serve as pastor of the church he watched grow from its infancy to its present state. During the past twenty years not only have many visible improvements been made but many people have recieved the Holy Ghost and have been baptized in Jesus Name. Powerful moves of the Spirit are evident in the services as God confirms His word by signs, wonders, and miracles. Bro. Coon is well into his 21st year as pastor and we look forward to a continued relationship of many years. TRIBUTES Following are some tributes made by members of our church that are good and befitting for this occasion: "The tent revival in Jena 50 years ago has made a definite impact on my life. Although I was not privileged to attend this great meeting, I will always be thankful for results from it. Marjorie Elliott, one of the ladie that recieved the Holy Ghost in that revival on August 3, 1949, in just two months time became my sister-in-law. She had an experience with God and was responsible for me going to church. Having just gotten married we moved to Jena and Norris was away on a job. Marjorie carried me to church with her to Belah. God got a hold of my heart with great conviction and I recieved the Holy Ghost on October 9,1949. I was one of six that prayed thru that night. I often think what if I had not been privileged to have someone to care if I went to church or not. God is still just as real now as he was that night and the experience grows sweeter each day. It's not hard to live for the Lord when you love him." By Irene Elliott ROSES FOR TODAY Preach to me Bro. Dan, Your life has been an inspiration to me. Striped over-alls and swinging hammer. An empty tummy didn't matter. A burning within your heart, To build a Mt. Zion on this lot, God as your helper in this plot. May we always be grateful for such a man, Who listened to Jesus and His plan. He did not build on sinking sand, The Rock of Ages was at his command. So we as followers of Bro. Dan, Live for Jesus and take a stand. The heavenly Mt. Zion is in our future plans, There we'll all be together in Glory Land. July 9,1989 Louise Mitchell (niece of Rev. Dan Parker) Sis. Mitchell wrote this P.S. to "Roses for Today" And Sis. Annie Lea, Where she needed to be. Giving you a punch, That you needed much. A great wife, The joy of your life. A great helper for the Kingdom of God. TO GOD BE THE GLORY No one pastor or minister claims responsibility for what has been accomplished in this church. Each pastor along with evangelists, visiting ministers, and our officials have all contributed to the growth of the church. Precious saints of God, many of them now asleep in Christ, have given, prayed, and sacrificed through the years for this noble cause. Great people grace our assembly who have grown up here, moved here, prayed through, or married someone in the church, all resulting in their being a part of this local assembly. Each are a part of the eternal purpose of God and have their own rerwards awaiting at the close of their labors. Great honor and credit is due the local towns-people who have provided financial support as well as moral support throughout these 50 years. Business people have supported our projects, extended credit, and good will to us. The Bank of Jena has been a friend through many of our projects, always giving us favorable rates and terms. Our elected officials in every level and strata of public service have been more than kind in their support and contribution. To each of these we extend a heart-felt "Thank You", trusting that our presence in Jena has made a difference for good. Without the abundant blessings of God, along with his guidance, all our efforts would have been in vain, but with his hands upon us, each of our individual contributions have been blessed and our gifts multiplied. Although Pentecost is only 50 years old in Jena, our roots extend to that glorious day in Acts 2:1-4 when the first and only New Testament Church was born. Today we still teach, preach, and practice the doctrine of the early church, namely repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking with other tongues. Pentecostals are easily identifiable in our area by their separation and dedicated living. We are not a product of the reformation, a latter day cult, or an aberrant form of religion. Our heritage predates both reformation and the dark ages and rests upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Jesus Christ as our chief corner stone. To this message, these principles, and this truth we pledge our lives, and herein our hope rests! OUR FUTURE Our past is resplendent with growth, progress, and revivals, however, before us are our greatest days and victories. Presently the combined property of this church nears a value of one-half million dollars, all a product of the story you have just read. Several ministers have came out of this assembly extending the message they recieved here to those where God has now placed them. Our church presently supports many Foreign Missionaries, Home Missionaries, Tupelo Childrens Mansion, Harvestime, Spirit of Freedom, and is a supporter of all national and district projects of the United Pentecostal Church. Each year our church is blessed by revivals, visiting ministers, a Youth Revival, Senior Saints Revival, Back-to-School and Graduation services, numerous banquets and socials, along with our weekly services. Presently we are blessed with fine musicians, a host of singers, and an excellent choir, along with a wonderful staff of officers and workers. Our present success is a reflection of past sacrifices and labor of so many. However, our vision extends beyond our present encompassing growth, progress and revival unparalleled in the past. Should Christ delay his coming we envision a complete new church facility on the corner of First Street and Southern Avenue.. Our past is glorious, the present is absolutely exciting, and the future bright for the growth and progress of the First United Pentecostal Church. .