FA Memphis Connection: What is the History of First Assembly Memphis?

The story of First Assembly Memphis is not just a collection of dates on a timeline; it is a living testimony of how God moves through the hearts of people in the 901 to reach the ends of the earth.

What is the history of First Assembly Memphis? First Assembly Memphis began in 1914 during the early Pentecostal revival in downtown Memphis. For over 110 years, the church has grown from a small group of Spirit-filled believers into a multi-generational community serving Memphis, Cordova, and the world through its digital doorway, Boundless Online Church.

A Century of Faith in the 901

The roots of our story are buried deep in the soil of Memphis revival history. Long before the modern skyline took shape, a hunger for the presence of God began to stir in the Mid-South. Between 1907 and 1916, a period we call "The Great Discovery," the message of the Pentecostal experience began to spread through tent meetings and storefront missions.

In 1907, a local lawyer and teacher named L.P. Adams, alongside Rev. Charles H. Mason, began holding services in a home just south of the East McLemore and Mississippi Blvd. intersection. These early believers weren't looking for a "church brand", they were looking for the "latter rain" promised in the book of Joel. They believed that the same Holy Spirit who moved at Pentecost was still active and available for the people of Memphis.

By 1911, the group, then known as Grace and Truth, added a young member named Ralph M. Riggs. Decades later, Riggs would serve as the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, signaling the global influence that would eventually flow out of this local Memphis body.

Definition: Pentecostal A movement within Christianity that emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit, the direct experience of the presence of God, and the belief that the spiritual gifts described in the New Testament (such as healing and speaking in tongues) are available for believers today.

Founding the Dream: 1917–1936

The years following World War I were a time of transition and testing. In 1919, the mission officially separated from other entities and became known as the Pentecostal Mission. It wasn't until 1923, under the leadership of a deacon named Emmett Simpson, that the church officially joined the Assemblies of God fellowship.

First Assembly has always been a "pioneer" church. In 1927, a member named Elizabeth Harris organized a Saturday night youth training session that became the national model for the Assemblies of God youth organization, the Christ’s Ambassadors. From the very beginning, First Assembly Memphis wasn't just existing for itself; it was creating frameworks to equip leaders for the entire nation.

The 1930s brought the Great Depression, and with it, significant financial struggle. The church moved between rented halls and tents, facing a "Tumultuous Transition." Yet, even in the leanest years, the mission never wavered. On September 8, 1934, under the guidance of General Superintendent Ernest S. Williams, several fragmented groups merged to form what we now know as First Assembly of God.

The Era of Explosive Growth: 1944–1981

If the first 30 years were about survival and stabilization, the next 40 were about explosive reach. In 1944, a young evangelist named James E. Hamill was elected pastor. Under his leadership, First Assembly became one of the top ten evangelical churches in the United States.

Pastor Hamill was a visionary who understood the power of media before "digital ministry" was a term. He launched:

• The Memphis Mirror: A weekly church newspaper.

• Words of Life: A premier radio program.

• Christ Is the Answer: The first locally produced Mid-South religious telecast, airing in 1955.

This era saw the church move from East McLemore to Highland Street, and finally, the vision for the current home on Walnut Grove began to take shape. The church also founded First Assembly Christian School (FACS) in 1972, ensuring that the next generation in Bartlett, Cordova, and Arlington would have a foundation of faith and excellence.

Definition: Assemblies of God A global Pentecostal denomination established in 1914, committed to the authority of Scripture, the Great Commission, and the fourfold mission of the church: evangelizing the lost, worshiping God, discipling believers, and showing compassion.

Relocating for the Harvest

As the city of Memphis shifted eastward, so did the church. The decision to move to the highest point in Shelby County, our current location at Walnut Grove and Sanga, was a bold "Kingdom move." Under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Lindberg, who became the tenth pastor in 1994, the congregation celebrated its first service at the new campus on November 7, 1999.

This relocation wasn't about a building; it was about positioning. We wanted to be in the heart of where families were moving in Cordova, Germantown, and Collierville, while maintaining our deep heart for the entire 901 region.

The Modern Frontier: From Local to Global

Today, the story of First Assembly Memphis is entering a new chapter. We are still rooted in the Spirit-led traditions of 1914, but we are reaching further than our founders ever imagined. Through the leadership of the Pastor for Boundless Online outreach, part of FA Memphis Church, we have launched Boundless Online Church.

Boundless is our digital doorway for those who cannot join us in person. Whether you are homebound in Memphis, stationed overseas, or living in a region without a healthy Pentecostal church, you are part of our history now. We believe that physical distance should never be a barrier to spiritual community.

Definition: Discipleship The lifelong process of following Jesus, learning His teachings, and being transformed into His image through prayer, Scripture study, and community with other believers.

Why History Matters to You Today

Knowing where we came from helps us understand where we are going. Since 1914, First Assembly has survived depressions, wars, and social upheavals. Through it all, the message has remained the same: Jesus is Savior, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, Healer, and Soon-Coming King.

If you are looking for a church in Memphis that feels like family, or if you are seeking a digital community where you are truly known, you are invited to become part of the next chapter of our story. We are a local church with a global heartbeat, and there is a place for you here.

Are you ready to take your next step in the journey of faith?

We'd love to connect with you. Visit www.boundlessonlinechurch.org to join our community from anywhere, or if you're in the Memphis area, find us at www.famemphis.org.

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Join the Community

• Phone: (901) 213-7341

• Dual Invite:famemphis.org + boundlessonlinechurch.org

• Prayer Line: Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)