Abundant Life Tabernacle - Meridian

In the early 1950s, Reverend Jack Crenshaw came through Meridian preaching the Apostolic message. A band of Apostolic believers had the desire to start a United Pentecostal Church in Meridian, so in 1952, Rev. S.T. White founded the First United Pentecostal Church of Meridian. The first church building was located at the intersection of 10th Avenue and 16th Street in Meridian. In 1964, First UPC moved to a building they built at the intersection of 38th Avenue and 11th Street. Brother White, along with his wife, Naomi, pastored the church from 1952–1964.

In 1965, Reverend and Mrs. Kenneth Phillips were elected Pastor of the humble flock. Pastor Phillips remained pastor of First UPC until 1967. In 1967, Bro. A.L. Allen became the pastor. In 1969, Bro. Allen resigned.

In 1969, Reverend G.W. Garland was elected pastor. Around May of 1970, Brother Garland was tragically murdered as he was exiting the church building late one evening. In 1971, Reverend C.W. Carnley was elected pastor. During his tenure as pastor of First United Pentecostal Church, the church had a split, which resulted in the formation of another church, Meridian Pentecostal Church (Oakland Heights).

Reverend Carnley pastored the Oakland Heights Pentecostal Church until 1973. After his resignation, Reverend Richard Forsyth was elected pastor and pastored the church until 1975. After Brother Forsythe resigned, Reverend David Edwards became the pastor in 1976.

At First United Pentecostal Church, Reverend Larry Hill served as Pastor between the years of 1972 and 1975. After Brother Hill resigned, Brother G.C. Killingsworth became the pastor of the church.

On August 16, 1977, the boards of Oakland Heights Pentecostal Church and First United Pentecostal Church met together and decided to reconcile their differences. They reunited, and Brother Killingsworth continued to serve as Pastor of the Meridian Church until 1978. Under Brother Killingsworth’s leadership, First United Pentecostal Church sold their church building located at 38th Avenue and 11th Street in preparation to purchase property and to begin construction at the present location, and moved to a storefront building on 5th Street in Meridian.

In 1979, Reverend Paul Helton was elected pastor, and served until 1981. Under Brother Helton’s leadership, plans were made to build a new church, and in November 1980, the foundation of the new church was laid.

In January of 1982, Reverend Anthony and Sister Harriett Mansfield, along with their daughter, Lynette, moved to Meridian to serve as pastor of this great church. Although Brother Mansfield was discouraged by peers to move to Meridian to become the Pastor of First United Pentecostal Church, he knew that he had heard from God. Reflecting over the past thirty-eight years, we know for certain that he did. On Easter Sunday of 1982, the church moved to its present location.

With a fresh vision and a zeal to work for God and to love people, Brother and Sister Mansfield tirelessly led the Meridian church for over thirty-eight years.  Under Brother Mansfield’s pastorate, the church was renamed Abundant Life Tabernacle, based off of Pastor Mansfield’s favorite verse, John 10:10, which says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Under Brother and Sister Mansfield’s leadership, a bridge was built to reach the African Americans in the city and other cities. As a result, Brother and Sister Mansfield not only pastored Abundant Life Tabernacle, but they also became the pastor of Free Gospel Temple Apostolic Church in Meridian and the United Pentecostal Church in York, Alabama, at the same time. Brother Mansfield also served in various capacities in Section 7 of the Mississippi District of the United Pentecostal Church. He served as Presbyter of Section 7 for eighteen years, as well as an honorary presbyter.

Truly, Brother and Sister Mansfield’s vision and labor have not been in vain. Many souls have come to know God and to obey the Acts 2:38 message during Pastor Mansfield’s tenure as pastor.

On Sunday night, May 31, 2020, Reverend Rodney and Sister Stephanie Baker were elected to serve as Pastor of Abundant Life Tabernacle. Many great things could be said of Brother and Sister Baker, who faithfully served Brother and Sister Mansfield and Abundant Life Tabernacle in various capacities, including Assistant Pastor, for over twenty years. Along with serving as Pastor of Abundant Life Tabernacle, Brother Baker also serves as the Presbyter of Section 7 of the Mississippi District of the United Pentecostal Church.

Our heritage is rich, and our future is bright. Greater things are coming for Abundant Life Tabernacle.

** Information supplied by Rev. Matthew Stokley, Bro. Donald Cooksey, and Bro. David Moore