Est. 1962
Our History
Pierce
Don Francis
1962-1969
As founding pastor, it was the desire of Rev. Curtis O. Pierce that an Apostolic church be established in Columbia MO. Rev. Pierce, a graduate of Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul MN, had been pastoring a small work in Fulton MO since 1957. Rev. Pierce and his wife, Virginia lived in Fulton, but the majority of the Fulton congregation were traveling to Fulton from their homes in Columbia. In July 1962, the Missouri District board met in Westphalia MO at the campground and approved the relocation of the Fulton church to Columbia. Pastor Pierce, his wife Virginia, and children Neal and Amy moved to Columbia in November 1962 and officially began holding services in their home as the United Pentecostal Church of Columbia for approximately one year. In the fall of 1963, Pastor Pierce learned of a former Latter Day Saints (Mormon) church building that was for sale. After speaking with the local Mormon Church officials regarding the price of the building, Pastor Pierce contacted District Superintendent Harry Branding and Secretary Guy Roam about the building. Brother Branding and Bro. Roam came to Columbia to appraise the building in June 1963.
CURTIS & VIRGINIA PIERCE
ORIGINAL 1962 BUILDING
It was decided that the Columbia church would pay $500 earnest money and Bro. Branding’s church would finance the loan as the Columbia church paid it off. The price for the building was $12,000. This was a small white building with both an East and West entrance which consisted of the sanctuary, three Sunday School rooms, a small kitchen and two single bathrooms. The baptistery was located underneath the platform. In the fall of 1963, this building was purchased and the first Sunday service was held at 211 Benton Street on October 20, 1963, with eleven in attendance. Brother W.C. Parkey preached the first fellowship meeting held in Columbia on November 1, 1963. Pastor Pierce resigned the church in October 1969 for job relocation in Chicago IL where he continued to work for the Lord.
Leroux
1969-1971
In 1969 Rev. and Mrs. Lawrence Leroux, sons Larry and Nathan and daughters Nadine and Hannah came to fill the need as pastor temporarily until a permanent pastor could be appointed.
During his time at Columbia, Pastor Leroux and family also filled the same need at the Boonville MO church until a permanent pastor was assigned there. Pastor Leroux faithfully led the work in Columbia until 1971. His burden was to start new churches throughout the country wherever needed.
LAWRENCE & ELMA LEROUX
Fuller
In 1971, Rev. Kenneth Fuller became pastor. Bro. Fuller was a WWII veteran and had fought in the Philippines. He, his wife Lillian, and children Debbie, Donna, Tim and Laura relocated from Texas. In his tenure, he fostered the Columbia branch of the Pentecostal Student Fellowship International to reach out to the students of the three colleges in Columbia, as a result, the church saw a blessing of many college students come to the Lord. Lance and Merna Appleton, who had recently graduated from Gateway College of Evangelism, came to help in the campus work and were a blessing to the church’s outreach program. One of Pastor Fuller’s burdens was to establish a Christian school for the children of the church members. He planned and oversaw renovation of the original building into a larger sanctuary. A school building and basement were added to house a Christian school consisting of pre-school through K-12. The Apostolic Christian Academy began operation in the fall of 1978. Pastor Fuller resigned as pastor of the church in Columbia in 1981 to become an Associate in Missions to the Philippines, where he still labors today.
1971-1981
Rev. Kenneth Fuller
Bentley
Rev. Robert Bentley became pastor in 1981. He and his wife, Judy Chambers Bentley, also had a burden for the Christian school and continued this work during his tenure in Columbia. In 1986 plans were drawn to enlarge the church by
building a new sanctuary with balcony,
classrooms, offices and restrooms. This new
renovation was dedicated on June 7, 1991. Pastor and Sister Bentley resigned as pastor in 1994 to
go to Russia to head an Accelerated Christian School there.
1981-1994
Robert & Judith Bentley
Gilstrap
1994-2011
In 1994, Rev. Robert Gilstrap began pastoring the church. Prior to coming to Columbia, he and his wife had been evangelizing and had also served as pastor in Kansas City MO.
Under his leadership, the Columbia church sent one member to the foreign mission field: Kelley Marsden. She and her husband, David Dibble were appointed as foreign missionaries to the Philippines in 2011 and are now serving in the Micronesia areas. In August 2011, Pastor Gilstrap resigned as pastor and retired to Texas to be near his children.
Robert & Barb Gilstrap
Sample
In August 2011, Rev. James Sample was elected pastor of the church. During his time in Columbia, Pastor Sample led the church through a complete remodel of the church. Pastor and Sister Sample also arranged the church’s 50th anniversary reunion and celebration which was held on November 9-11, 2012. Founding Pastor Curtis Pierce and Pastor Robert Gilstrap and their families were in attendance. Pastor Leroux, who had since passed away, had family in attendance. Pastor Kenneth Fuller sent a video presentation from the Philippines, and Pastor Bentley sent a formal letter of recognition. Pastor Sample resigned as pastor in December 2014 in order to take a position in St. Louis at the UPCI headquarters.
2011-2015
James & Donna Sample
James
In February 2015, Rev. Kenneth James was elected as pastor of the church.Pastor and Sister James had been evangelist for 17 years and had pastored in Springfield MO prior to coming to Columbia MO. In 2016, the congregation chose “TrueLife Apostolic” as the new church name. New programs have been started and souls have continued to be added to God’s Kingdom. There is much excitement in the congregation as they all anticipate continued and greater revival and harvest in Columbia MO! The church in Columbia has prospered in all of God’s many blessings for over 61 years now and to God be the glory!
2015-Present
Pastor Kenneth, Amber,
& Carson James