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Church celebrating 50 years

Calvary Assembly of God Church

VALLEY HEAD — The Calvary Assembly of God will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sunday with a message from the church’s former pastor, Butch Frey, and a reception after the service.

Prayer time is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., with Frey speaking at 11 a.m.

After the message, a reception will take place at the Family Outreach Center across from the church. The reception will allow members to fellowship with the former pastor and attendees and reminisce about the church.

Cake and refreshments will be served at the reception.

The church actually began before 1953, but official documentation shows that the church was started formally as the Tygarts Valley Assembly of God, in Huttonsville, by the Rev. Ernesine Coffman, who was followed as lead pastor by Bensil M. Jones in 1953.

In 1954 the church became an official non-profit organization.

In the early 1960s, the church relocated to Valley Head under the leadership of Bensil and Rita Jones, with the purchase of the current property from Rose Vandevander and Boyd Vandevander. Less than 10 church members of that time met with Pastor Jones in the old Crickard farm house on the property in the early days.

After the passing of Bensil Jones, Rita Jones married Bill Furby. He and his children were instrumental in the building of the current church.

The church then officially joined the Assemblies of God on Oct. 24, 1961, then on Aug. 31, 1964, the church became an official non-profit organization in Valley Head.

The current church building was constructed in 1971, according to the cornerstone of the building, and at the time was named the Valley Head Assembly of God. Pastor Nick Pino became the first pastor of the new church building.

The church changed its name to the current Calvary Assembly of God on April 23, 1979.

Numerous pastors have held positions at the church, including James Turley, Nicolas Pino, Earl O. Sims in 1973, Gerald L. Wagner in 1978, Butch Frey from 1980 until 1986, Harry L. Elder, Jr. from 1988 until 1994, Loran H. Smith from 1996 until 1998, Mark D. Greaver from 1998 until 2000, Loretta Boggs in 2002, Mark D. Greaver from 2002 until 2008, David E. Pridgen, Jr. from 2008 until 2011, Shane J. Whitacre from 2011 until 2014. Current Pastor David J. Powell was officially named senior pastor in 2015.

Frey pastored the church from 1980 until 1986, then Frey and his wife served as missionaries to Mexico City for 20 years, where he currently serves as Member Care Coordinator for Assemblies of God World Missions.

Frey’s ministry emphasis has been in the area of individual and family counseling, being involved globally in many areas of training and consulting relating to missionary member care.

The church has also been connected with numerous affiliations over the years, including District Council Affiliation in 1961, 1999 and 2013, and General Council Affiliated in 1983 and 2004.

Even though the church has changed names, locations and pastors over time, the church has remained the backbone of the community in pentecostal fellowship and worship.

The church gives back spiritually and physically to all ages of the community throughout the year through a variety of activities and projects, officials said.

The church is currently rebuilding their youth and children’s groups with the help of Powell in offering fun and educational activities to minister to children.

The church also reaches out to the children of the community through the annual Vacation Bible School program.

In the past the church has also offered a woman’s tea with educational videos and sermons.

The church frequently offers clothing distributions, fall kick off with school items for children, programs through World Vision and the pumpkin patch in the fall.

“We would like to continue to be a help to the community in a spiritual and giving way, to build relationships with the community for eternity,” Powell stated.

Powell would like to invite everyone who is interested to attend the service on Sunday, along with the reception afterward, at the church.

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