Pentecostals mark 75 years of faith

James Boatman Wooden derricks, dirt streets, tents and chaos were the order of the day when Kilgore's First Pentecostal Church was organized 75 years ago.

Mayor Joe T. Parker and the grandson of the founding pastor will be on hand Sunday when the church celebrates its diamond anniversary.

First Pentecostal Church (FPC) was established in 1931 by Rev. O.S. Owens who moved to Kilgore from Oil City, Louisiana. One of his children, Mary Ann Mitchell, is still a member of the church.

FPC is one of five churches that began in Kilgore during the oil boom in 1931. It is listed in a church directory at the Kilgore Oil Museum.

Affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church International, Headquartered in Hazelwood, MO, FPC served as a church for East Texans during the early revival years of Pentecostal development in the south.

"It has remained a strong church even with the shift of Pentecostal growth to the central corridor of the state," James E. Boatman, pastor of 34 years, said. "We have lost a lot of members and our children are moving away, but we will continue to grow."

Nine other pastors have served the congregation since

O.S. Owens 1931:

O.S. Owens, 1931-36; T.F. Ford, 1936-44; L.J. Hosch, 1944-45: J.Z. Spears, 1945-47; A.W. Boie, 1947-53; O.W. Williams, 1953-59; J. R. Wiggins, 1959-72; Vandy Pope, 1972-73; Homer Green, 1973- 82.

W. W. Carouthers, assistant pastor to the congregation for more than twenty years, served the congregation and fulfilled pastoral responsibilities during transitions.

The church serves about 80 families and through the years has served countless other families who are no longer Kilgore residents. Membership was swelled and ebbed through the years of oil booms, growth and decline. Its largest attendance was during the peak years of the oil boom.

"More than fifty members from the congregation have become ministers or minister's wives over the years, allowing its influence to spread across North America and to other nations of our world," Boatman said. "First Pentecostal has maintained a strong missionary emphasis with commitments to 45 missionary families, Tupelo Children's Mansion, Texas Bible College and every basic divisional program of the United Pentecostal Church International, its official denominational organization. It is a rural church with a world vision and commitment."

Sunday worship services include Sunday school for all ages and morning and evening services. Midweek services include Monday and Wednesday evening prayer and Bible study.

Staff members include James E. Boatman, pastor; Billy Brown, Michael Boatman and Mike Brandl, lay ministry assistants; Charles Mitchell, secretary/ treasurer; Michael Boatman, Sunday school superintendent; Tamara Boatman, children church coordinator; Billy Brown, Eugene Moore, Bob

Corrie and Charles Mitchell, Sunday school outreach; Mike Brandl, Bible Quiz director; Danita Camp, Becky Sullivan, Katie Fuller and Logan and Gladys Horne, music; Barbara Longmire, Ladies President; and Larry Longmire, maintenance.

Pastor James E. Boatman, a third generation Pentecostal, is a native of Sherman. He is married to Jean Biggerstaff of Nacogdoches. They have two children, Melanie Alders, wife of Rev. Bailey Alders of Nacogdoches and Michael Boatman, a Kilgore high school math teacher. They have six grandchildren: Nolan and Natalie Alders; and Emalea, Jonathan, Caitlin and Elizabeth Boatman.

Boatman is a graduate of Apostolic Bible Institute with a bachelors degree in Biblical Studies. He has been pastor of First Pentecostal Church for twenty-four years, since 1982. He came to Kilgore from St. Louis where he served the United Pentecostal Church as General Sunday School Director for seven years. He also served the UPCI as the assistant manager of the Pentecostal Publishing house for 18 months and as associate editor of church school literature for six years. He was general Sunday School director for seven years.

While pastoring in Kilgore, he has served as secretary and president of the Kilgore Ministerial Alliance, volunteer chaplain for Laird Memorial Hospital and Community Way fundraiser. He organized and led the National Day of Prayer program for Kilgore for several years.

From 2001 to 2004, he served a three-year term, as president of Texas Bible College, a denominational Christian college in Lufkin. He will complete 25 years of pastoral service to First Pentecostal Church in June of 2007. He serves the UPCI in Hazelwood, MO as the senior member of the Church/School literature curriculum committee.

First Pentecostal has served members and the community from four locations in Kilgore since its founding. It began in a tent during the oil boom. It moved across the street to a small building located on Kilgore College property. It was later moved to Harris Street and then to the present location on Fritz Swanson where a frame building was built. A new auditorium was built in 1951 and six months later the building was destroyed by fire. A new brick building replaced the old

structure. It was expanded with a two-story educational wing in the early sixties.

The sanctuary was remodeled for the 50th anniversary. A second remodeling of the sanctuary took place fifteen years ago in connection with the 60th anniversary. New sound, windows, carpet, musical equipment, lights, educational furniture and office equipment were all added to the total makeover of the building, including a totally new kitchen facility and parking area.

For the 75th anniversary the church is offering a host of activities with a schedule of music, singing, worship, praise, testimonials, and food.

Among special guests are Joe T. Parker, making an anniversary proclamation, and Rev. John Boone, grandson of the founding pastor.

After Parker reads the proclamation. an historical presentation is scheduled with Mike Ford and his brother Gary Ford, grandson of T.F. Ford, the second pastor of FPC, and senior editor of Southern Living Magazine.

Other activities include a heritage choir presentation, singing testimonials, and guest speakers.