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Who we are

We are so glad you have decided to find out more information on who we are, our heritage and our vision for the future. We are fully committed to God's Word and want you to have every assurance to this end. We would love to hear from you. If you have any questions, comments or pray request, please let us know. We are here to serve you. May God bless you everyday in everyway.

The Starfish Story

Starfish represent the message of the Soldotna Church of God.

One beautiful sunny morning, after a powerful Pacific storm, an old man was walking along the beach. The entire beach was coated with starfish the storm had washed ashore. The old man picked up one starfish, examined it, and threw it back into the sea. He kept walking, stopping every few steps to throw back another starfish. A jogger came upon the old man. "Good morning, may I ask what it is you are doing?" "Throwing starfish back into the ocrean." The old man replied "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in they'll die." The jogger retorted "Don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach. You cannot possibly make a difference." At this the old man bent down, picked up yet anothe starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said "It made a difference for that one."

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Church of God History

The Church of God, which traces its beginnings to an Appalachian mountain community prayer meeting in the 1880's, has sought to rediscover and implement in today's setting the New Testament ideal of Christ for His church. The men and women who founded the church and shaped it were themselves products of various religious heritages, including Baptist, Methodist and Quakers. The church's early leaders earnestly believed they were directed by the Holy Spirit in discerning beliefs and practices from the Bible.

On the southern borders of Tennessee and North Carolina in the Shearer schoolhouse in Cherokee County, North Carolina, a revival led by lay preachers was attended by small congregations on both sides of the state line. While they worshiped together in the mountain school house on the evening in 1896, the Holy Spirit fell on them as in the first-century Upper Room, and many began speaking in tongues.

The Shearer schoolhouse revival was a high point for Richard G. Spurling, Jr. and his church members who took part in it. A decade earlier, Spurling and eight neighbors had responded to an invitation from his aged father, Richard G. Spurling Sr., a former Baptist preacher, to start a new church. The day of the founding was August 19, 1886, the date the Church of God recognizes as its official beginning. The place was a rural community in Monroe County, Tennessee.

Churches today may be categorized in many ways: by their theological positions, their national origins, their governmental policies, their doctrinal peculiarities or other distinctive characteristics. The Church of God is classified as a Protestant/Charismatic church. The Church of God affirms basic doctrines as revealed in scripture, such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, full inspiration of the Bible, the death of Christ as atonement for sin and the second coming of Christ-which makes us an Evangelical church. The church of God is a holiness Pentecostal/Charismatic church which refers to churches whose worship patterns and doctrinal faiths are like those described in Acts 2. Since the early days of its missionary activities, the church has sent not only American missionaries, but also ministers from other countries as its emissaries and ministers. Over the years this has continued and we are considered an International church.

Our church believes the Bible is the authoritative and inspired Word of God. Our Church:

  • gives attention to training;
  • makes evangelism primary;
  • seeks partnership between pastors, evangelists and lay people who have furnished general level leadership and in the stories of thousands of grassroots pastors, evangelists and lay people who have preached the gospel, sacrificed and extended the church to its present boundaries.

Books such as "Added to the Church" and "Like a Mighty Army" are available for more historical details.Its best days are yet ahead, if Jesus tarries. Resources far and beyond the dreams of the pioneers are now available. The town and state where the Church of God International offices are located is in Cleveland, Tennessee.

For information on our current administration please go to www.churchofgod.org

Currently, as of January of 2008, the Church of God has over 6 million members and is established in 166 countries.

Our Heritage

The opening services of the Soldotna Church of God were held in the spring of 1962. Two lots of our present properties were purchased and a small basement portion of our existing building was built by the founding pastor, Reverend Millard Cow dell, his wife Violet and son Timothy. Services were held in the basement for several years.

In 1965 Reverend Frank Isaac's, his wife Edith and their five children moved into the unfinished basement where they resided for four years. They helped build a portion of the upstairs to have services and finished the basement.

There were several short-term pastorates for approximately nine years. The church went through many changes during that time.

Reverend Jesse Smith and his wife Louise served as pastors from 1977-1987. They totally expanded and remodeled the existing building to its present size.

In July of 1980, as a result of a meeting of the ministers of the state of Alaska, the youth camp property now known as Alaska Christian Retreat was turned over to the Soldotna Church of God for development and improvement. Over the years lots of time, effort, and sweat has produced the wonderful facility that we enjoy today. ACR now not only hosts multiple youth camps during the course of the year; it also is host to fishermen from around the world; family camps and retreats from a multitude of different denominations; as well as local school and business functions.

Pastor PreachingIn 1987, Pastor Alan Humphries and his wife Miriam, along with their sons Mark and James, arrived in Soldotna where they presently reside. On their first Sunday, April 1987, they praised God as 85 people attended services. Within ten months a peak attendance of over 200 was reached.

The first summer a Tent Revival was hosted by Pastor Humphries which has grown and evolved into what we now know as Destiny Conference. This conference has hosted world renowned speakers and singers and is a highlight of our summer.

In 1991 the Soldotna Church of God acquired the house on the corner of Parkwood and Redoubt. It was rented out until 1997 when Hope for the Future Daycare and Preschool was established. The Daycare has grown under the constant care and supervision of Jeanie Robinson, along with Laura lee Smart as the head of our Preschool department. Hope for the Future has expanded to two buildings and is continuing to reach out to our community.

In December of 2001, due to freezing temperatures, the basement of the church was flooded. Over the course of the next 6 months the entire basement was remodeled and updated. This blessing in disguise also provided reconstruction on the sanctuary. It is true that having services at the High School on Sunday; the Baptist church on Sunday night; and the Methodist church on Wednesday; was a bit difficult, but the end result was the beautiful facility that we have today.

We have witnessed many miracles of God's grace and blessings. We have seen much spiritual growth and look forward to the future as God continues to give us opportunities to serve our community.

Purpose Statement

To communicate to the people of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska and the world, the life-changing power of Jesus Christ in a practical and understanding way; to develop them into responsible, productive, successful Christians; and equip them for their ministry in the church and life mission in the world; as they become a part of God's family, in order to magnify His name.

A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great commission will grow a Great Church.
Matt. 22:37-40, Matt. 28:19-20

  1. Love the Lord with all your heart -- MAGNIFY, WORSHIP
    1. Matt. 4:10, Jn. 23,24
  2. Love your neighbor as yourself -- MINISTRY
    1. 1. Matt. 28:19-20
  3. Go and make disciples -- MISSION, EVANGELSIM
    1. Matt. 28:19-20
  4. Baptizing them -- MEMBERSHIP, FELLOWSHIP
    1. Eph. 2:19 (LB)
  5. Teaching them to obey -- MATURITY, DISCIPLESHIP
    1. Col. 1:28, Eph. 4:12-13

Declaration of Faith

We believe:

  1. In the verbal inspiration of the Bible.
  2. In one God, eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
  3. That Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and is born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That he ascended from heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.
  4. That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and that repentance is commanded of God for all necessary for forgiveness of sins.
  5. The justification, regeneration, and the new birth, are brought by faith in the blood of Christ.
  6. In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the word, and the Holy Ghost.
  7. Holiness to be God's standard of living for his people.
  8. In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to the Holy Ghost.
  9. With speaking with other tongues as the spirit gives utterance, and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism of t he Holy Spirit. possible
  10. In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
  11. Divine healing is provided for all in atonement.
  12. In the Lords supper and washing of the Saint's feet.
  13. In the pre millennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on earth a Thousand years.
  14. In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked.

Our Vision

Our vision for the Soldotna Church of God is to reach people who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and disciple them to become mature followers of Jesus Christ. We want this community to know that we the "Soldotna Church of God" are making a difference.

I see life changing ministries of Compassion touching the lives of the unchurched. Doing what Jesus said in Lk. 4:18-19,

"the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come."

  1. A Church of Transformation
    1. Where Lives are changed through Faith in Jesus Christ
  2. A Church of Action
    1. Where Everyone is a Minister
  3. A Worshiping Center
    1. Where all People come Together to Worship God
  4. A Church where Leaders are Made not Born
    1. Where People are Developed to be like Jesus
  5. A Church where Fellowship is Alive
    1. Developing Healthy Relationships

Learn More

If you are interested in obtaining more information about the Soldotna Church of God, you can use our contact form

 

 

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