Wasilla Assembly of God
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| Wasilla Assembly of God | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | 125 West Riley Ave Wasilla, Alaska 99654 |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Assemblies of God (Pentecostal) |
| Website | http://www.wasillaag.org/ |
| History | |
| Founder(s) | Paul Riley |
| Clergy | |
| Senior pastor(s) | Ed Kalnins |
| Pastor(s) | Scott Phillips (Assistant) Todd Stafford (Assistant) Nathan Lopez (Youth) |
The Wasilla Assembly of God is a church in the town of Wasilla, Alaska. Founded in 1951, it is a member of the Assemblies of God, a Protestant, Pentecostal association of churches with roots in the Pentecostal revivalism of the early twentieth century.[1] According to the Wall Street Journal, congregants "speak in tongues and are part of a faith that believes humanity is in its 'end times' -- the days preceding a world-ending cataclysm bringing Christian redemption and the second coming of Jesus."[2]
History
The church's founding pastor was Paul Riley, and its current pastor is Ed Kalnins, who took over in 1999. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who was a member until she moved to Juneau, renamed the street on which the church is located Riley Avenue in honor of Riley.[3]
Ministries
Wasilla Assembly of God sponsors a summer youth group for girls in Kindergarten to 8th grade called the Missionettes. The youth group conducts several community service project each year.[4] The church hosts an annual Christian music concert called "Winter Rock Fest". "Winter Rock Fest", which began in 2005, attracts over 1,000 children each year.[5]
Services
Community service
In cooperation with Alaska Family Services, the Salvation Army, and other area churches, the Wasilla Assembly of God distributed baskets to 39 families in Wasilla during Thanksgiving of 2005. The church also supplies food to the annual free Thanksgiving meal hosted by Shema Christian Ministries.[6]
The church established a teen youth learning center called Rally Point in 2006. Rally Point is located in the church's former sanctuary at Knik-Goose Bay Road which the Wasilla Assembly of God occupied from the 1960s to 1980s.[7]
Master's Commission program
The Master's Commission program is a live in religious educational program for young adults that lasts one year. According to a promotional video, it is designed for students from around the country; to take them and "lead them for the rest of their lives in passionate journey for Jesus." The students also are expected to "take the message to people around the state." The Master's Commission program stresses ties with the state of Alaska.[8]
Notable members
- Sarah Palin (?–2002)
References
- ^ "About us". Wasilla Assembly of God.
- ^ Palin's Faith Is Seen In Church Upbringing, By Suzanne Sataline, September 4, 2008, Wall Street Journal
- ^ Gorshi, Eric (September 4, 2008). "Pentecostalism obscured in Palin biography". Associated Press.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coathors=ignored (help) - ^ "Fundraising Offers a Chance to Cool Off". Anchorage Daily News. July 25, 2007. p. G9. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
- ^ Wellner, Andrew (November 7, 2007). "Rock festival mixes secular, Christian acts". Anchorage Daily News. p. G1. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
- ^ Wright, Melodie (November 23, 2005). "Harvest of help". Anchorage Daily News. p. G1. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
- ^ Wright, Melodie (February 22, 2006). "Learning hangout". Anchorage Daily News. p. G8. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
- ^ Palin used state funds for trip to speak at her former church