Rev. Joseph M. Olds (deceased) and his wife Virginia moved to Benton in 1973. One year later, they were approached to start a United Pentecostal church on the eastern-side of Benton. They began their ministry by meeting in different homes. There were 21 parishoners at the first home service. As weeks passed, membership grew fairly quickly. By then, they realized that a larger meeting place would be needed. With help from Green's Real Estate, the congregation purchased the property in it's present location at 2314 Military Road. At that time, there was only a gray house and a garage on the property. A wall was removed between 2 rooms for the santuary. The remaining rooms were occupied as living quarters by Bro. & Sis. Olds, and their son Gary.

 

Eventually, they built a small (30X50) church on-site, and the garage was converted into classrooms for Sunday School. Later improvements included the addition of 3 classrooms and 2 restrooms. The Lord blessed the Olds family in 1980 so that they were able to build a 3 bedroom, 2 bath parsonage on the property. In 1986, Pastor Olds fell ill, requiring hospitalization for several months. As a result of this, he resigned his post as pastor following 13 years of dedicated service. Fortunately, he recovered from that illness. At that time, Bro. Emerson began leaing the congregation as the newly-appointed pastor to the church. Bro. & Sis. Olds continued to make this their home church, until his passing in 2007, when he went to be with The Lord.

 

Rev. Daniel Cox pastored the church from 1986 to 1990. During his tenure, the fellowship hall, a new sanctuary and an adjoining foyer were built.

 

Rev. Rick Lumpkins became the pastor in 1990. Together with his wife Sis. Diane as well as their children Wendy and Jason, put their life into this church through 1999.

 

Then, in December, 1999, Rev. J. Emerson was asked to bring his lovely wife Sis. Deanna, and their daughter Jayla Denae (born June 8, 2001) and assume the pastorate. Together, they lead the church, they love people and they desire to make a positive difference in others' lives for the sake of the Kingdom of our Lord, Jesus Christ.