First Assembly of God

In 1931, during the early days of the Pentecostal movement in Arkansas, a young evangelist, Bro. Melvin Carter, had been traveling in rural areas to hold revivals.  In the fall, he decided to settle in Waldron and to put the children in school.  One evening, Bro.Carter announced to his wife, Dovie, that, "I've got to go to Mena for a revival!"  They knew they did not have the money to rent a building that would serve as a church.  They also had no place to live and no visible means by which they could support themselves.  Bro. Carter had attended services in Mena before at a "Oneness" house church, and he knew there was no other Pentecostal witness in Mena.  So they began to pray.

The "Oneness" congregation had also been praying for a revival.  During a prayer meeting, a message in tongues and interpretation went forth that said, "I have heard your prayers, I have seen your tears, and I'm sending you a Crying Preacher".  The Pastor also received a word from God to contact Bro. Melvin Carter to come and hold a Christmas revival.  A lady in the congregation offered her house as a place for their family to live for the duration of the revival.  Bro. Carter gladly accepted the offer as an answer to prayer.

On the way into Mena, on Highway 71 North, Bro. Carter stopped at a site along the highway and got out of the car.  It was snowing and cold, but he just kept walking around the site and praying.  When he got back into his car, he told Sis. Carter, "There is the place for an Assembly of God church."  They then continued on their journey to the house church to begin the revival.

In spite of heavy snow, on the first night of services, the church was packed.  The revival continued for several weeks, and it was estimated that over seventy-five people were saved, and many filled with the Holy Spirit.

One night Bro. Carter preached on the subject of, "In My Father's House", and explained the message of the trinity of God.  Many received the message, but others did not.  As a result, the revival closed. 

Bro. Carter knew God had sent him to Mena, so he stayed at the request of many who were saved during the revival.  The fledgling flock began to hold services in the house where the Carter family lived.   The congregation grew, and had to move into a large store building on South Mena Street.  In March of 1932, the church was set in order by Presbyter P.F. Ramsey of Malvern.  Sixty people joined the church that day.  Several months later, through a series of miracles, the congregation was able to buy the very piece of property where Bro. Carter had stopped on his way into Mena, for $200.  Mena First Assembly of God was built there with contributions of money, materials, and voluntary labor-not only from people in the congregation, but businesses as well.  The "Crying Preacher" wept for joy, knowing that many souls would be born into the Kingdom of God.  Bro. Carter went to be with the Lord on April 5, 1960, two weeks after preaching his last sermon from II Timothy 4 entitled "I Have Fought a Good Fight." (Adopted from the booklet entitled "The Founding of the Mena Assembly of God by Mrs. M.W. Carter")

The church remained in that same building for 42 years, and supported several new pastors.  By 1974, the church had outgrown the small building and parking facilities, and began to seek a new location.  Another miracle resulted in the church purchasing ten acres of prime property with virgin pine timber on it.  The cost was exactly the same price received for the sale of the old property.  Construction of the church was completed that same year.  In 1975, the church was able to add a parsonage to the property where the church is currently located at 2111 Sutherland Ave.

In June, 2001, Rev. Ron and Sis. Pam Tilley, along with their three children, Leah, Lydia, and Caleb, accepted the appointment as Pastor of First Assembly of God in Mena. Although the congregation had declined to less than 25 members, the first Sunday of Bro. Tilley's ministry, 107 people were in attendance and the church has steadily grown since that time, including a new baby, Joshua (08/04/04).  As this is being written (April, 2008), our current average attendance for Sunday morning worship service is 225, which is a significant increase.

On December 16th, 2007, Mena First Assembly of God moved into a new sanctuary which is virtually debt free, to the glory of God.  The new facility is furnished with 325 seats, including those in the balcony area.  It also includes a fully furnished evangelist's quarter, Sunday School rooms, and children's activity rooms.  The balcony area includes a modern sound system, technology and media center for producing audio and video of all services, which are made available to the public.

The old sanctuary has been converted to a dynamic children's ministry area to accommodate the expanding children's department.  A new nursery has also been established with live broadcasting of each service from the sanctuary.

The original vision for a vibrant Assembly of God outreach in the Mena area is ongoing, and will continue with other expansions as God provides the resources and desire for service.  New parking is presently being developed to compensate for the continued growth.

Pastor Tilley's vision for the church is to make it warm, friendly, and helpful for people of all backgrounds.  He believes that our highest priority, that of winning souls, should come about through ministries inside and outside of the church.  He stresses the need for local leaders to be a spiritual model to people in the congregation.  He believes leaders must be biblically qualified and have basic core values of reaching the lost, being salt and light to the community, and living by the authority of the Bible.  He emphasizes the need to grow individually by studying the Word, worshipping wholeheartedly, and being committed to ministry and prayer.  His greatest desire is that the church would be led by the Holy Spirit, knowing that is the key to effective ministry.

(Written By Bonnie Lyda-February 2006, updated April 2008)