Nacogdoches, Texas
Welcome To The Nacogdoches Gospel Assembly
2916 Lilly Street Nacogdoches, Texas 75964
Welcome Message
In the late 1940’s Brothers Clyde & Don Patton came thru East Texas, led of the spirit, to a small prayer meeting down a muddy dirt road in the northern part of Nacogdoches County went in with their guitar and banjo, begin to sing, play, and planted some seeds that have continued to grow into a healthy assembly that we are privileged to be a part of today. Many have worked this field over the years to help bring this church to where we are today.
Our mission is to reach the lost of our community, to shine our light in this ever-darkening world, to provide a safe haven and a nurturing environment for families, to acknowledge the value of our seasoned saints, and to proclaim liberty from sin thru the word of God.
On the foundation laid by Jesus Christ and built upon by faithful saints and ministers over these past seventy-five years; we continue the tradition of an open door for all of God’s people to come and feel the embrace of the Spirit of God.
Our doors are open to all kindred and tongue, all walks of life, all ethnic origins, and all ages. Our Children’s church prepares our toddlers and our early youth with a knowledge of the word of God a familiarity to the spirit of God thru our classroom time on each Sunday and creating a desire to learn more about our Heavenly Father. Our Vacation Bible School Program is the highlight of our summer agenda with exciting curriculum and motivational studies of the process of salvation resulting in numerous of youngsters praying thru to receive the Holy Ghost.
Our teenage youth group continues to grow and become honorable ambassadors for Christ in and among their circle of friends, family, and classmates. Our retention success rate is extremely gratifying as we watch these youth become young adults and have a desire to stay connected to the church and watch them choose as thy get older to raise their children right here in the Body of Christ.
With a dedicated group of committed young adult couples and seasoned saints to promote accountability, we stand on a firm foundation that this message shall and will remain fresh, new, and alive here in our community and resound the message of the Body of Christ.
We invite all to come and “Enjoy the Journey” as we travel this highway toward Heaven.
– Bro. Dennis White (Pastor)
Our History
During the early years of the twentieth century, a young man was called to the ministry of Jesus Christ along the banks of the Ohio River in Southern Illinois. One day, while working on his boat, Brother Sowders heard a voice thunder to him from Heaven. He was on his knees fitting the floor in the engine bed, when this tremendous experience took place. The Lord kept saying to him over and over, “I want you to do something.” Finally in desperation he threw his tools down and said, “Lord, what is it you want me to do?” A voice like a clap of thunder over his head said, “Son, I want you to preach MY GOSPEL!” He later recalled that the voice was so loud it actually took the life out of his body and almost burst his eardrums, especially when the Lord voiced, “MY GOSPEL!” When he came to himself, he looked up and a golden light was all around him. (http://www.gospelassemblyfree.com/facts/sowders.htm)
Bro Clyde Patton met the Body of Christ movement in February, 1946, hearing the message, “There is going to be a gathering together of all the precious people of God”. After he got home, the Lord let know that the people he had just met were His people and that Bro. Patton had been teaching wrong doctrine. Two weeks later, on November 18-20, 1946, they were having a meeting at Prayer Temple and Bro. William Sowders came to the meeting. Bro. Patton said, “two angels” also came to that meeting, Bro. Pennock and Bro. Harry Stamps. Bro. Sowders told Bro. Patton and Bro. Keller that the church did not need two pastors, so on February 1, 1947, Bro. Patton moved his family to Houston, TX. After about a year they went to little church in Port Houston. The pastor, Bro. Joe Modisette turned the church over to Bro. Patton. in 1947, Bro. Clyde and his brother, Don went to Shepherdsville, KY for the first time for a campmeeting (Book-Man With A Vision).
After coming in contact with Bro Clyde and Don Patton, the “Country Sisters” (Sisters: Moore, Wallace, Moody, and Weatherly) testified that they found something special and did not fit in nowhere else. During that time or shortly afterwards, others from East Texas came into contact with the Body; Brother Willis and many more. Even after many years of not having a Body Church near them, Sister Moore’s vision of the Body was so strong that she instructed her son to have a Body of Christ minister perform her funeral. Her desire was fulfilled by Rev. J.B. Budd.
The Nacogdoches church was first located on Taylor Avenue now Pearl Street. After this location was declared a flood plain the church building was reloaded to 2916 Lilly Street which is the current location. Several ministers worked in the Nacogdoches assembly, Bro Bone, Bro. Bollier, Bro. Neptune, Bro. Budd, Bro Bragg, Bro Budd again, and now Bro White. (If someone was not listed, please contact us).
In 1980, my wife and I were invited by my father-in-law, Lommie Rawlinson, to a day service where Bro Clyde Patton was the guest speaker. Bro Patton spoke on things that touched my heart, mind, and soul. That day, Bro Patton announce that Rev. John B Budd would be the new pastor in Nacogdoches. Before reaching the loop, a short few feet, I told my wife I wanted to start going to church there.
In the late 1980’s, the attendance and condition of the church building required a new structure. The building cost was $13,500 and was scheduled to arrive on a Monday delivery COD (Cash on Delivery). Bro Budd stated he would take up a special offering that Sunday night prior to the Monday delivery. The weather was bad, only 14 people showed up, $13,000 was donated but we still needed $500. Bro Budd said, “Sister Tubbe, write the check, God will provide”. He laughed! That day in the mail was a check from Sister Wade in the amount of $500. No doubt, the construction the new Nacogdoches church was God’s will.
I can sincerely say, I found what my soul desire.
– Richard (Dick) Tubbe, Assistant Pastor
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