Our History
First Assembly of God in Marianna, Arkansas was formed on July 14, 1940 after a six-week revival was held by Brother Jimmy Farr. There were 63 charter members. In December of 1940, Reverend W.J. McIntosh was installed as the first pastor of the church. During his pastorate, the church added pews to their young building.
In 1942, Reece Dickinson became pastor and also led the adult Sunday School class.
In 1946, Rev H.E. Hinton became pastor. During his tenure, he added new Sunday School rooms onto the building.
Rev Boyd Smith took over as pastor in 1948 preaching a much-needed sermon on Unity as his first message. While Smith was pastor, he oversaw the paneling of the auditorium of the church.
During the tenue of Rev. J.C. Nichels, who took over in 1951, the church built their current auditorium complete with baptistry. New pews were also purchased. The new building was dedicated on October 27, 1957 in a service which included Rev. G.W. Hardcastle, the Arkansas District Superintendent. Other guest included former pastor Rev. Hinton, Arkansas District CA President Joe Walmost and Sectional Presbyter Ernest Sharpe.
In 1960, the church brought in their first college graduated pastor, Rev. E.E. Mesher. Through his leadership, the church had their first Vacation Bible School. Rev. Mesher also oversaw the expansion of the church including building a fellowship hall, kitchen and evangelist’s quarters.
In 1963, after Brother Mesher left for a new position in Florida, the church welcomed Rev. Donald Nye as pastor. Under Brother and Sister Nye’s leadership, the church’s Women’s Missoinary Council paid for a new piano, new drapes for the baptistry and nursery, new nursery furniture, new carpeting in the auditorium and other items. Also during their pastorate, the church installed air conditioning and built a new parsonage.
On May 11, 1969, the church elected Rev Tommy R. Carpenter as he came off the mission field in British Honduras in Central America.
We are working to build the remaining history of the church. If you have any information that should be added here…especially after 1970…please let us know.
Our Pastors
This is the listing of the pastors in our church’s nearly 90 year history. If you notice an errors or omissions, please let us know.
Evangelist Johnny Farr—1940
Warren McIntosh—1940 to 1942
Reece Dickerson—1942 to August 1946
H.E. Hinton—August 1946 to July 1948
Boyd Smith—June 1948 to August 1951
J.C. Nichols—July 1951 to May 1960
E.E. Mosher—June 1960 to October 1962
Donald Nye—January 1962 to May 1969
Assistant Pastor Mike Tullas—December 1965 to 1966
Assistant Pastor Bruce Mumm—August 1966 to 1967
Tommy Carpenter—May 1969 to 1972
Robert Hicks—September 1972 to July 1974
Edward Sudberry—August 1974 to September 1977
Elton Gunter—November 1977 to July 1979
John Wolfe—September 1979 to November 1981
Gary Mitchell—November 1981 to August 1985
Mike Wiggins—August 1985 to November 1985
Joe Neile—April 1986 to 1987
Wayne Gore—June 1987 to April 1989
Ron Allen—July 1989 to November 1989
Darrell Frost—January 1990 to January 1999
Assistant Pastor Kenny Hunt—August 1992 to December 1992
Assistant Pastor Mike Ring—1993
Assistant Pastor Jackie Varnell—No dates available
Assistant Pastors Tim and Cindy King—January 1997
Ed Lindsey—February 1999 to January 2001
Walter Fowler—November 2001 to February 2003
Ronnie Smith—June 2003 to June 2006
Greg Mills—April 2006 to May 2016
Joseph Bell—April 2016 to May 2016
William Dowd—July 2017 to October 2021
Jim Pomeroy—May 2022 to February 2023
Ronnie Chaney—June 2023 to Febraury 2025
Allen Moore—September 2025 to Present