1. August 10, 1961 - Central Assembly of God began with 21 members on August 10, 1961, under the leadership of Pastor and Mrs. Charles A. Oswalt. There were 21 charter members who sacrificed to see Gods work established. The total church income that first year was $1,200. The congregation paid $800 for two acres of land and worshipped in a small frame building. The first board members were Robert L. Fletcher, C.E. Ayers, and Herbert.
2,3. 1962-1963 - The church was then blessed by the pastoral ministries of: Rev. and Mrs. Luther L. Bates (1962-63) and Rev. and Mrs. Woodrow W. Scott (1963).
4,5,6. 1963-1989 - The church flourished under the ministry of Rev. and Mrs. Charles W. Holeyfield (1963-1989), and a new sanctuary was built in 1966, with the old building used for Sunday School.
7,8. 1989-1993 - Following the Holeyfields were: Rev. and Mrs. Larry G. Shipman (1989-1993) and Rev. and Mrs. Burell Ed Corley (1994-1996).
9. September 25, 1996 - Andy and Sheryl Harris have served as our beloved pastors since September 25, 1996. Under their leadership, the congregation has grown from 39 members to more than 500 believers, and has taken bold new steps of faith.
10. November, 1997 - In November of 1997, the congregation paid $100,000 cash for 24.7 acres of prime real estate on the growing edge of Haughton and Bossier City. A year later, the old church building was sold, and the congregation worshipped in a storefront at the Oak Thicket Shopping Center.
11. November 21, 1999 - In March of 1999, construction began on a new worship center, and the facilities were dedicated to the Lord on November 21, 1999. The 15,500 square foot facilities, valued at $1.5 million, features a sanctuary seating 550 with state-of-the-art sound and lighting, educational facilities, 24-hour prayer room, and spacious Fellowship Hall. A beautiful lake and picnic area was developed for recreational activities. In the Spring of 2001, the educational facilities were expanded another 4,500 square feet to accommodate our growing youth and children's ministries.
12. January 29, 2003 - On January 29, 2003, the congregation voted to purchase 38 acres of property 1 mile east of the present location, adjacent to Louisiana Downs. This "mountain" will secure the future growth God has for Central Assembly of God as we expand our ministries to fulfill the Great Commission before Christ returns.
13. June 21, 2006 - On June 21, 2006, the congregation voted to sell all of its buildings and property at 2101 Hughway 80 for $1.6 million to Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries. On June 25, 2006, the church leadership announced the theme of "...A City Set on a Hill" for the Capital Stewardship Campaign to finance the building of the new worship center.
14. July 2, 2006 - On July 2, 2006, the congregation broke ground for the new worship center on the new property at 700 Hwy. 80. The first phase will include a chapel seating 300, a Fellowship Hall seating 1000, and administrative offices. The second phase will include a new sanctuary with seating for 1250, children's and educational facilities.
15. June 10, 2007. Phase I was opened for services. June 24th-27th was our dedication week as we committed this new property and facilities to the Lord. We are now meeting regularly at "the Mountain" and eager to see what God has in store for us at Central Assembly, A City Set On A Hill!
16. November 4, 2009. The Cross was lifted into place and the grounds and parking areas were completed. Praise the Lord, for all that he's doing at Central Assembly of God - "The Church of the Cross".
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