Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

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 Missionary 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.

First Assembly of God in Marianna, Arkansas has had 28 pastors since they were founded in 1940. Below are the dates of service for each of them. Please let us know about any omissions or corrections.

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 February 2025

Allen Moore—September 2025 to Present