100th Anniversary

100th Anniversary
in Dallas, Oregon

October 9-11, 2009

by Sonya Dickey

The centennial celebration of the Apostolic Faith Church in Dallas, Oregon, began on Friday evening, October 9, and the anticipation grew as all the familiar faces of those who had once lived in Dallas began to arrive. Dana DeBusk began the service with a piano prelude, after which a grand combined choir filled the platform, including former and present members of the Dallas choir. During the testimonies, several mentioned Reverend Swensen, one of the early pastors in Dallas, who was considered “power packed” and a “man of prayer.” People would call the telephone operator and ask for the man who knew how to get an answer from God. Efton Jones, who lived in Dallas in his younger years and now lives in Medford, Oregon, testified that once as a child he was sick, and after Reverend Swensen prayed for him, God healed him!

Reverend Darrel Lee, Superintendent General of the Apostolic Faith work and a former pastor in Dallas, read Romans 15:12-13 for his text. He brought out that the Dallas church’s roots began when people from Dallas attended revival meetings in Salem, Oregon, in 1906, where they heard about the holiness movement and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As the good news spread and the group expanded, a church was founded in Dallas in 1909. Today there are many who can trace their roots to the Dallas Apostolic Faith Church. Reverend Lee said that God honors those who look for Him, and that was certainly the case for those in Dallas who were hungry for more from God.

Following the Friday evening service, refreshments and a time of fellowship was enjoyed by all. The bulletin boards with picture displays tracing the Dallas church’s history from 1909 to 2009 were also a major attraction. Each former pastor was featured with pictures of his family and their time in Dallas, and it was fun to look back and reminisce on days gone by.

On Saturday morning, a delicious breakfast prepared by some of the Dallas church members was followed by a PowerPoint presentation of “Looking Back in Time,” emceed by Tony Boyce, from Dallas. The presentation included pictures and narration from the early history of the Dallas church to the present. After renting several facilities, the Dallas congregation was able to purchase the property where the church is located today and build a smaller replica of the Portland Apostolic Faith Church that was located at Sixth and Burnside. The Dallas church building was dedicated on January 8, 1928, and many souls have been saved and spiritually grounded in this church down through the years. Following the PowerPoint presentation, each of the former pastors in attendance shared some of his memories of living in Dallas, concluding with the current pastor, Reverend Pete Sferle.

After an afternoon of various activities, Saturday ended with an evening of beautiful, inspiring music presented by some of the Portland young people.

On Sunday morning, Reverend Earl Phillips, a former pastor in Dallas who is currently living in Portland, read from Malachi 3:16 about the “book of remembrance” that is written for those who fear the Lord and think upon His name. Reverend Phillips said that after a hundred years, the Lord is still writing about the work in Dallas, and one day he would like to read that book in Heaven. He encouraged the congregation to continue spreading the light of the Gospel to those they come in contact with.

The Sunday evening service began with a rousing piano and keyboard duet, followed by a saxophone solo by CJ Marincus, from Medford. Gary Bertram, from Tacoma, Washington, then enthusiastically led the congregation in several songs. Reverend Paul Andrews, who grew up in Dallas and now lives in Medford, testified of how he started out for church in Dallas one night in his Model T and had a flat tire. He said he knew the devil was trying to hinder him from getting saved that night, but his mind was made up and he finally made it to the church, where God made a marvelous change in his heart and life. He also mentioned that his wife recently had a brain tumor and the doctors said she would not completely recover after her surgery. However, people prayed and God healed her!

Reverend Nolan Roby, a former Dallas pastor who is currently living in Medford, preached about needing a vision. He brought out that Christians need a vision to realize that their help and strength comes from the Lord. He said that human wisdom does not feed the Church—the Spirit of God does.

Things around us may change, but the Gospel never changes. Hebrews 13:8 continues to be relevant today, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Jesus is still making the same changes in hearts that He made one hundred years ago! The Dallas church members are thrilled to be part of such a wonderful heritage, and they are anticipating many spiritual victories ahead as they continue to spread the Gospel in Dallas.