Wurtland Church of God

The Wurtland Church of God (Wurtland, Ky) is a part of a Pentecostal Christian denomination, called the Church of God with headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee. It has grown to become one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the world, with worldwide membership of
between 6 - 7,000,000, according to the denomination's official website. The movement's origins can be traced back to 1886 with a small meeting of Christians at the Barney Creek Meeting House on the Tennessee/North Carolina border, making it the oldest Pentecostal Christian denomination in the United States.

Our History
Before we became the Church Of God, the earliest congregation attended a Pentecostal Church off route 207 in rural Flatwoods, about three miles from here.
Nancy Keeton and Kay Gillum are the only ones who have been here continuously from that congregation until now. In 1948 this church had gone through a difficult period due to differences in belief among the people. Rev. Edgar McCloud came to the church and introduced the Church Of God doctrine to the people. In October of that year the congregation organized with 15 original members. The first pastor Rev. & Mrs. McCloud served only a short span from October 1948 until January 1949.

Resistance against organization and conflicting ideas caused many difficulties for the church members-resulting in the Church Of God believers being forced from the church. It was then in 1950 that land was donated by Chester Daniels (a charter member), and construction of the Wurtland Church Of God, Uhlen Branch Road began. The basement was completed and services were held there. The top portion of the church was being completed daily as service continued in the basement of the church. The church was completed in 1951 under the leadership of Rev. W.G. Light. At this time there were approximately 43 members.

The idea of building a larger and better church was formed in the mind of Rev. Winford Walters. However, it did not become a reality until 1970 during the pastorate of Rev. G.F. Crank. Bro. Crank arrived in Wurtland on August 13, 1969 and seeing the need-he was soon at work drawing plans for a new church. Easter Sunday morning 1971, Pastor Crank led 150 people from the old church to the new church singing "I Believe God". The first service was held that Easter morning but the actual dedication was not until May 9, 1971 (Mother's Day).

In July of 1975 Rev. & Mrs. Robert Davis became our eleventh pastor. They served this church for twenty faithful years. Under the pastorate of the Davis's we built a new parsonage, added a new wing to the church, and in 1983 purchased the property adjoining the church on which the Family Life Center was built in 1987.

The Montgomery's came on August 20, 1995 as a tryout-a vote was taken the following Wednesday night-overwhelmingly in favor of the Montgomery's. They arrived the next day on Thursday August 24, 1995. They became our 12th and present pastor.

Enthusiasm was high-excitment was in the air-the people were coming-souls were being saved-we needed more room-the first thing we did was take out the side room in the old sanctuary-soon we needed more room. In April 1998 the Family Life Center was converted into a sanctuary. God kept blessing. Easter Sunday of 1999 we had a record attendance of 405. The people kept praying, we had to make room for our families. Bro. Montgomery had a vision, and then the people caught the vision. Our new sanctuary which seats 850 was dedicated March 17, 2001.

Our Pastor
Pastor Montgomery is a second generation Church Of God Pastor. Born the son of the Rev. Robert & Virginia Montgomery who Pastored the Parksville Church Of God for over 30 years. Pastor Montgomery married Aggie Vanhook in October of 1976. The Montgomery's have two sons, Bryan (29) his wife Jill and son Brycen, and Aaron (22) his wife Ashley and son Cooper.

Pastor Montgomery graduated the Church Of God's MIP program in 1983 and received his rank of Ordained Bishop in 1989. Pastor Montgomery began preaching at the age of 16 in which he became involved in his local church (Parksville) as the adult Sunday School teacher, district youth leader, musician, worship leader and also very actively involved in nursing home, jail and radio ministries.

While the Pastor at Wurtland the new worship center was built and dedicated in 2001 that seats nearly 850. Also the church has seen tremendous growth spiritually and numerically.

Pastor Montgomery has also served on many state elected boards. He has served 2 terms on the State Youth & Christian Education Board, 2 terms on the State Council, and presently serves on the State Council. Pastor Montgomery also serves the Church of God as District Overseer and Covenant Care Facilitator. Locally Pastor Montgomery serves as the President of the Greenup County Ministerial Association and Volunteer Chaplain for the Flatwoods Fire Department.

What Our Denomination Believes
The Church of God subscribes to the following doctrines:
#The verbal inspiration of the Bible.
#One God, eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost.
#Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the virgin Mary. He was crucified, buried and raised from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.
#All have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
#Justification, regeneration and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
#Sanctification is subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Jesus, through the Word and by the Holy Ghost.
#Holiness to be God's standard of living for His people.
#Baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart.
#Speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
#Water baptism is by immersion and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
#Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.
#The Lord's Supper and washing of the saints' feet are ordained by Christ for our observance.
#The premillennial second coming of Jesus; first, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air and, second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.
#The bodily resurrection for all, resulting in eternal life for the righteous and eternal punishment for the wicked.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu