Church History
1915 -- A Vision for the Pentecostal Experience
Lonoke Apostolic Church originated in 1915 when Reverend George Joyner came to Lonoke to preach the Pentecostal message. He held a series of meetings in an old store building. This building was known then as the old Goodrum Building. The marvelous singing and preaching had far reaching effects in the community. Several families were drawn to these services and began to attend them regularly, and thus began the Pentecostal movement in Lonoke.
1916 -- Water Baptism in Jesus' Name, Miracles of Healing, and the outpouring of God's Spirit
In February 1916, following a series of meetings in which Rev. W.L. Stallings preached water baptism in Jesus’ name, eight converts desired to be baptized. When the time came for the baptisms on February 27th, however, there were thirteen people who had decided they needed this experience and had made up their minds to go! They all then climbed into a wagon and battled through a winter storm with ice and snow to the Bayou. That day all thirteen were baptized.
At the time, Reverend George Rowe and his wife, who were from Eagle Lake, Texas, were the only people in Lonoke who had received the Holy Ghost baptism. Reverend Rowe was a very devout Christian and was not afraid to tell others about how God’s blessings on his life. At his position as head miller at the local rice mill, he came to gain the respect and admiration of his co-workers for his dedication to God. He expressed his belief that healing came through the atonement made for us by Jesus Christ and that it was for all mankind. At one point, when his child became sick, he would leave work two or three times a day to go pray for the child. His co-workers took note of his incredible faith, and they were amazed to hear of the child’s healing when God honored his prayers. This amazement at physical healing, along with Rev. Rowe's message of the power of the blood of Jesus, led these co-workers and many others to experience God for themselves as they received the Holy Ghost. Thus began God's Spirit being poured out in Lonoke!
Reverend Rowe ultimately became the first pastor of a small congregation in Lonoke. The first church building was erected at the present site of Lonoke Apostolic Church and was called the First United Pentecostal Church. It was a small building with a sawdust floor. From 1921 to 1924, an elementary school was housed in this building for the children of Lonoke. It was a one-room school with a single teacher. A fire in 1924 did considerable damage to the building, and it became necessary to rebuild. Part of the old structure that was not damaged was still in use for years after the new building was in place.
1967 -- A New Pastor, a New Building, and New Growth
In July 1967 Reverend Donald D. Sjöstrand came from Greenfield, Illinois with his wife and son, Sister JoAnn and Keith Sjöstrand, to pastor the church in Lonoke. They were greatly admired and respected by the church and the community. Under their leadership a new sanctuary was built. This is the same sanctuary that stands today and where members of the church worship.
When their son grew up, he began to assist them and later pastored the church with his wife Janice. Shortly after their marriage, Reverend Keith Sjöstrand’s brother-in-law, John Tackett, began attending the church. After John married a few years later, he and his wife Joan worked in the church under the leadership of the Sjöstrands for several years.
1995 - Present -- Expansion, Remembering the Past, Moving into the Future
When the remainder of the old building, which was comprised of the Sunday School department, was in need of repair, further construction began. In 1995 a new educational facility was built and the old Sunday School converted into an Activity Center, where various Bible classes are held and church dramas and other activities are performed. In 2004 Reverend Keith Sjöstrand moved with his family to pastor a church in Ohio. At that time Reverend John Tackett became the pastor with his wife Sister Joan and Bishop Donald and Sister JoAnn Sjöstrand served as senior pastors. Together they lead Lonoke Apostolic Church as it celebrated 100 years of light in the city of Lonoke. The same year, the church celebrated 50 years of pastoral service by Bishop and Sister Sjöstrand.
At Lonoke Apostolic Church we are seeing the miraculous being performed by God as he brings healing, strength, peace, and joy to individuals and families, restoring families and giving hope for all. We invite you to join us in service and be a part of history being made at Lonoke Apostolic Church!
Lonoke Apostolic Church originated in 1915 when Reverend George Joyner came to Lonoke to preach the Pentecostal message. He held a series of meetings in an old store building. This building was known then as the old Goodrum Building. The marvelous singing and preaching had far reaching effects in the community. Several families were drawn to these services and began to attend them regularly, and thus began the Pentecostal movement in Lonoke.
1916 -- Water Baptism in Jesus' Name, Miracles of Healing, and the outpouring of God's Spirit
In February 1916, following a series of meetings in which Rev. W.L. Stallings preached water baptism in Jesus’ name, eight converts desired to be baptized. When the time came for the baptisms on February 27th, however, there were thirteen people who had decided they needed this experience and had made up their minds to go! They all then climbed into a wagon and battled through a winter storm with ice and snow to the Bayou. That day all thirteen were baptized.
At the time, Reverend George Rowe and his wife, who were from Eagle Lake, Texas, were the only people in Lonoke who had received the Holy Ghost baptism. Reverend Rowe was a very devout Christian and was not afraid to tell others about how God’s blessings on his life. At his position as head miller at the local rice mill, he came to gain the respect and admiration of his co-workers for his dedication to God. He expressed his belief that healing came through the atonement made for us by Jesus Christ and that it was for all mankind. At one point, when his child became sick, he would leave work two or three times a day to go pray for the child. His co-workers took note of his incredible faith, and they were amazed to hear of the child’s healing when God honored his prayers. This amazement at physical healing, along with Rev. Rowe's message of the power of the blood of Jesus, led these co-workers and many others to experience God for themselves as they received the Holy Ghost. Thus began God's Spirit being poured out in Lonoke!
Reverend Rowe ultimately became the first pastor of a small congregation in Lonoke. The first church building was erected at the present site of Lonoke Apostolic Church and was called the First United Pentecostal Church. It was a small building with a sawdust floor. From 1921 to 1924, an elementary school was housed in this building for the children of Lonoke. It was a one-room school with a single teacher. A fire in 1924 did considerable damage to the building, and it became necessary to rebuild. Part of the old structure that was not damaged was still in use for years after the new building was in place.
1967 -- A New Pastor, a New Building, and New Growth
In July 1967 Reverend Donald D. Sjöstrand came from Greenfield, Illinois with his wife and son, Sister JoAnn and Keith Sjöstrand, to pastor the church in Lonoke. They were greatly admired and respected by the church and the community. Under their leadership a new sanctuary was built. This is the same sanctuary that stands today and where members of the church worship.
When their son grew up, he began to assist them and later pastored the church with his wife Janice. Shortly after their marriage, Reverend Keith Sjöstrand’s brother-in-law, John Tackett, began attending the church. After John married a few years later, he and his wife Joan worked in the church under the leadership of the Sjöstrands for several years.
1995 - Present -- Expansion, Remembering the Past, Moving into the Future
When the remainder of the old building, which was comprised of the Sunday School department, was in need of repair, further construction began. In 1995 a new educational facility was built and the old Sunday School converted into an Activity Center, where various Bible classes are held and church dramas and other activities are performed. In 2004 Reverend Keith Sjöstrand moved with his family to pastor a church in Ohio. At that time Reverend John Tackett became the pastor with his wife Sister Joan and Bishop Donald and Sister JoAnn Sjöstrand served as senior pastors. Together they lead Lonoke Apostolic Church as it celebrated 100 years of light in the city of Lonoke. The same year, the church celebrated 50 years of pastoral service by Bishop and Sister Sjöstrand.
At Lonoke Apostolic Church we are seeing the miraculous being performed by God as he brings healing, strength, peace, and joy to individuals and families, restoring families and giving hope for all. We invite you to join us in service and be a part of history being made at Lonoke Apostolic Church!