|
|
|
|
History of Riverdale Assembly of GodCharles and Wilma Spencer were living in Fresno and attending the Calwa Assembly of God where Rev. Ralph Hall was pastor, when they felt the call of God upon their lives. In an act of faith, they went as counselors for Youth with a Mission to the Bahamas for the summer in 1964. At this time Bro. Spencer gave up his position at Reynolds Aluminum as Purchasing Agent after 10 years. Upon returning in September of that year, they returned to work until October of 1965 when Bro. Spencer heard the Lord speak to him one night about the community of Riverdale.
God was already working His details out as usual. Sis. Clara Whited, who has since gone to be with the Lord, had a burden for a church in Riverdale. The Orange Cove Pastor, Brother Avery was helping her get started. Even though arrangements had been made for another man to be the Pastor, the Lord worked out that small detail, and Bro. Spencer was sent to pioneer the work. By the time the district had given Bro. Spencer their approval, the building was rented, the chairs lined up, and a piano was ready for purchase.
The first service was on Saturday night, October 23, 1965 with 33 in attendance. Sis. Velma Turnage, from Orange Cove was the guest speaker.
Sunday school was the “big” thing in those early days of Riverdale Assembly. On Sunday morning, October 24, 1965, Sunday school was in session with twenty-seven people present. Sis. Spencer taught the Beginners and the Adults were taught by Bro. Spencer.
Shirley Goad was the first convert. She seemed to have received teaching credentials with salvation, and taught the Beginners the second month. A Primary class was formed with Sis. Campbell as teacher. Sis. Spencer took the adult class.
All of this was just the beginning of the blessings of God in that little three-room press building. Classes sprung up all over. One moved into the garage across the alley, belonging to Paul Whited, and another in Bill Spencer’s egg van. The teen class met in the parsonage on Wood Ave. Later the Pastor’s family moved in the house next door to the church and two classes were held there. When the first Sunday school bus was purchased it immediately became another classroom.
A missionary at a Sunday morning service made this comment, “You don’t need a superintendent, you need a safari leader.” But those were exciting days.
Compelled by a desire to train our teachers, the first training course was offered. At the end of six months 10 of the original teachers were ready to take their classes back from the substitutes, who then entered the training class. This class produced 15 trained teachers. The required training of Sunday school teachers had continued down through the years producing a strong and faithful staff of over 100 put forth their best for their class.
By 1970 attendance was averaging over 100 and the need for a new facility was no longer an option. Five acres just east of Marks Avenue on Mt. Whitney was purchased for construction of a new sanctuary. Neither Rev. Spencer nor his congregation was experienced in carpentry, but never the less they built learning as they worked. Easter Sunday, 1971, the present sanctuary was dedicated and the church continued its growth.
The need for more classrooms necessitated more construction and in 1076 the educational building was completed adding six classrooms and a fellowship hall with kitchen. Attendance was now at 157. 1978 was a turning point for the church. While attending a Pastor’s school in Hammond, Indiana, Rev. Spencer heard Dr. Donald Howard present an ideal program for Christian Education. Returning to Riverdale he excitedly shared the Accelerated Christian Education system with the church. Immediate plans were made to open Riverdale Christian Academy with 65 students enrolled utilizing the Christian Education building and the Sunday School rooms. 22 years later RCA’s enrollment is 130 students K-12. Providing a superior education, this school has proved to be the most effective ministry to the children and youth of Riverdale Assembly of God.
Attendance by 1982 was breaking the 200 mark, bringing the church once again to an overcrowded situation. Five acres adjacent to the present property was put on the market during this year. What perfect timing!!
The congregation unanimously agreed to purchase this choice property for a future sanctuary situated on the corner of Marks and Mt. Whitney Avenues. The price of $100,000 seemed enormous and out of reach but our faith was greater. The property was paid in full four years later including indebtness on our present facility!
In the past 20 years the outreach of Riverdale Assembly of God has become multi-faceted. BUS MINISTRY: Bro. Spencer purchased on old school bus in the early years bringing many unchurched children to Sunday school. Today this ministry continues to be an effective outreach to children who might not otherwise ever attend church. HOME MISSIONS CONSTRUCTION: Remodeling, framing, painting, complete construction of churches and parsonages, etc. have been a special project for the men and youth of the church. Many small churches have relied on the manpower of Riverdale Assembly to boost their building programs. This ministry also supplied materials and labor to build six complete churches in Mexico during Thanksgiving. Each of the churches was finished in 14-16 hours! CHOIR: The music ministry has played an important part in many ways. Under the direction of Sis Spencer, the sanctuary choir was called upon often to minister in neighboring churches. The spirit of the Lord always seemed to move every time they sung. Presently the 75-member choir, under the direction of Jim and Darla Davis, continues to reach for that special anointing. In 1987, the Ambassador Youth Choir became an additional ministry of the church and has traveled extensively from California to New York. A tour bus was first purchased in 1985 to accommodate the choirs and the ministry is now into the third bus. In 1992 the Youth Choir, was invited by Bill Burkett (Commission Missions) to spend two weeks in Russia ministering in various churches and providing music for the first conference of the former underground churches in Kiev, Ukraine. PRISON OUTREACH, PUPPET TEAMS KIDS' KRUSADES; THE LIVING NATIVITY, HIM CONFERENCE and many other ministries provide opportunities for every member, young and old, to be involved.
Today, with attendance over 400, the Riverdale Assembly continues to provide a solid church home to many families and to be a lighthouse for Christ in the San Joaquin Valley.
Last year we made new friends and covered new territory with a tour to the beautiful (and cold) north east. Whoever said hospitality is a southern attribute didn't know about the churches we had the privilege to visit in Maine, Connecticut and Rhode Island. It was a wonderful experience that we will definately repeat. The year will take us to the deep south with stops in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and all states between. The itenerary will follow shortly and we hope to see many of you the latter part of April and first week of May. |
| |
|
Riverdale
