Waynesboro, Tennessee, Celebrates 60th Anniversary

The Waynesboro, Tennessee, Church of God celebrated their sixtieth anniversary with a special service and homecoming on September 18.  Along with great food, the day included a historical presentation by Church Historian Dr. David Roebuck and an afternoon singing.  According to Pastor Tim Owen, "I believe this event really impressed on the minds and hearts of our people the importance of our Holiness-Pentecostal heritage and will motivate them to perpetuate that heritage though our current and future ministries."

The Church of God in Waynesboro was established through the ministry of Wilma Gallaher in 1945.  Dr. Roebuck noted that the Waynesboro Church was organized at a critical time in the history of our nation and the Church of God as World War II was coming to an end.  In fact, the Assembly that year began on the day Japan signed the surrender documents on the deck of the USS Missouri.  Waynesboro was one of 173 new churches reported at the General Assembly in 1945.  In addition to his presentation, Dr. Roebuck prepared an exhibit on the early history of the Church of God.

General Overseer Dr. G. Dennis McGuire sent greetings to the church on behalf of the International Executive Committee.  Dr. McGuire wrote, "Sixty years of ministry is a significant achievement.  The ministries you and the church family in Waynesboro are committed to are making a difference! .... My prayer is that God will give you a renewed vision of our lost nation and of our lost world, and your church will have many more years of communicating the only message of hope this world has."

Pastor Owen, along with his wife, Janet, has served as pastor since 1995, wrote a history of the local church The Heritage of the Waynesboro Church of God: 1945-2005. It includes many historical photographs along with the future mission and vision of the Waynesboro Church. Copies of the book are available to those interested in Pentecostal and Church of God history for only $5.00 postage paid from:
   Waynesboro Church of God
   522 HWY 64 West
   Waynesboro, TN 38485

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Copyright © 2005 Dixon Pentecostal Research Center

 

Reverend Tim Owen (left) invited Church Historian Dr. David Roebuck (right) to speak at the Waynesboro 60th Anniversary Celebration.