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Glad Tidings began as a home prayer meeting
in Glocester, Rhode Island in 1989. Christians in northern Rhode Island had
expressed among themselves the need for a solid church that would boldly
proclaim the full-gospel message to this community. An Assembly of God
church in North Providence began praying with these Christians for God to
send a pastor to begin the work. Funds and prayer support were faithfully
laid in store for this new endeavor by the North Providence church. Pastor
John Teeter and his family moved from the state of Washington to Rhode
Island to pioneer the work, confident that God would provide for their
needs.
After nearly a year of prayer meetings, a storefront facility on Terry Lane
in Chepachet was rented for Sunday services. The first Sunday morning
service was held on May 6, 1990 with 55 people in attendance. The first
message preached was taken from Psalm 68:11: "The Lord announced the Word
and great was the company of those who proclaimed it." So the church was
named "Glad Tidings,” underscoring the vision to become a church that boldly
proclaims the Word of God. The theme scripture Isaiah 40:9 was chosen: "You
who bring good tidings...Lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not
be afraid."
Within the first year the new congregation was self-sustaining. All glory
and honor belong to God for the modest and continued growth of the Assembly.
In August of 1996 the church moved to the Burrillville Middle School
auditorium to facilitate the growing needs of the congregation. We purchased
land in 1999, broke ground in April 2003, and moved into our new building in
September of 2005! |
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