Powells Grove

In 1939, Roxie Sartin began a series of meetings in homes throughout the Jayess community; the meetings finally came to be held regularly on the front porch of the home of Earl Carney. Earl Carney had received the Holy Ghost at Pine Grove Church near Foxworth which was pastored by Sartin. He was not a preacher but desired to tell others about the love of God and how they too could receive the Holy Ghost. Carney was a sharecropper with Virgil Powell in Lawrence County near Jayess. As the meetings grew, they realized there was a need for a larger meeting place, and in August of 1940, a “brush arbor” was built nearby. Johnny Magee was invited to preach revival services under the brush arbor. Revival fire began to burn, and many were filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus’ Name. This revival lasted for six months and yielded over 100 new converts that were baptized by Johnny Magee in Jesus’ Name in the Frank Wallace creek. At one baptizing, there were about 45 men and women baptized. A county officer said to someone, “That preacher is at the swimming hole baptizing the whole county.”

With winter approaching, the congregation recognized the need for a more permanent home, construction was begun on a wood frame building. This first sanctuary was completed and dedicated to the Lord in January 1941. The building was erected on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Powell, thus the congregation chose the name “Powell’s Grove” in honor of this family’s generous gift. Johnny Magee became the first pastor in 1941 and served for one year.

Like so many other things in God’s Kingdom, this church had humble beginnings. Minute book records indicate the pastor was often supported with syrup, eggs, and now and then a little gas money. The offerings usually ran about forty cents. However, from these humble beginnings, God built a mighty church for His glory.

The church continued to grow and experience revival under the direction of the men who followed Pastor Magee: Hiram Holland 1941-1943, Fred McManus 1943-1944, Obie Ramsey 1944-1948, J.E. Anderson 1948-1952, Dan Parker 1952-1955, G.W. Milner 1955-1956, W.P. Osborne 1956-1958, Edward Lee Hudson 1958-1959, G.R. Travis 1960-1963, Cecil Harris 1963-1967, Lynell Lyles 1968-1969, George Smith 1969-1970, C.L. Womack 1970-1971, and Billy King 1971-1973. During the pastorate of Billy King, additional land was purchased on the corner opposite the church and parsonage.

Cecil Harris pastored again from 1973-1976. In 1974, a new sanctuary was built on the new piece of land under the leadership of Pastor Cecil Harris. The church experienced great revival during Pastor Harris’s tenure; a tent revival held during this time produced many great saints who are still a part of the church today. Upon the resignation of Pastor Harris, Billy King was elected to serve again 1976-1977.

In 1977, D.L. Spears became pastor and led the church in Global Missions giving as he had been a foreign missionary evangelist. Due to drilling and blasting for oil with dynamite, the church was damaged, but with repairs, the congregation continued to use the church for a few years until the church was destroyed by fire and a new one was built under the leadership of D.L. Spears. In 1988, due to being elected to serve as District Secretary and Treasurer of the Mississippi District United Pentecostal Church, he resigned to fulfill that requirement.

Tommy Galloway was elected in 1988 and served until 1994. Upon his resignation, Gregory Riggin was elected in 1994 and served until 1996.

–In 1996, Terry Ballard was elected as pastor. D. L. Spears placed a great desire for missions in the heart of Terry Ballard, and in 2001 Terry resigned to become a missionary to Micronesia.

The next pastor was M.L. Dykes who lead the congregation from 2001–2007. Upon his resignation, Ron Turner was elected and continues to serve faithfully. Powell’s Grove is a church with a rich heritage and a bright future. Many of the Mississippi Pioneer Ministers came out of this great church.