Our History
In October 1987, Robert and Marcy Williamson, founding pastors of Centerville Assembly of God, moved from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to begin a new “Home Missions” church in Centerville, Iowa.
Prior to that date, a small fellowship group from Seymour Assembly of God (Seymour, Iowa) had been meeting in homes for Bible studies under the leadership of Pastor Ed Williamson of Seymour. Their goal was to establish their own church and have their own pastor. On July 9, 1987, Pastor Bob Williamson held a community informational meeting at the Centerville City Hall for “anyone interested in starting an Assemblies of God Church.” The meeting was sponsored by Section 6 of the Iowa District Council (now Iowa Ministry Network) of the Assemblies of God with Pastor and Presbyter Sam Reaves presiding over the meeting. Old-Fashioned Pentecostal revival meetings were also led by Pastor Williamson at the Appanoose County Fairgrounds from Wednesday, August 26 through Sunday, August 30 of that same year.
October 18, 1987 is recognized as the official beginning of Centerville Assembly of God. On that date, the first Sunday morning service was held in the basement of the Farm Bureau Building. Other services were held in the agricultural building on North 12th Street and then in an old warehouse on Haynes Ave. The Iowa District Council of the Assemblies of God helped the congregation purchase the Seventh Day Adventist Church building at the corner of Haynes Avenue and Franklin Street (across from Centerville Church of Christ). The first service was held at that location on December 27, 1987.
As the church continued to grow, the need for a new church building became evident. A ground-breaking service for a new church was held on June 9, 1991. The new building (located on Hwy. 2 East in Centerville) was moved into on October 6, 1991, and was officially dedicated on July 12, 1992.
Rev. Bob and Marcy Williamson left Centerville Assembly on February 14, 1994, to pastor Hot Springs Assembly of God in Hot Springs, South Dakota. After the Williamsons left, Rev. Dennis Martin served as interim pastor in 1994. (Rev. Martin also served as an interim pastor in 2000 following the Wendlands.)
Following Pastor Williamson, Pastor Randy and Bonnie Randle, along with their children, Trent and Katie, arrived on May 28, 1994. The Randle family left Centerville Assembly in March 1998 to pastor First Assembly of God in Emporia, Kansas. During the interim, Paul Davenport and Rev. Harley Kennedy (associate pastor with Pastor Williamson) often preached on Sundays.
Pastor Scott and Andrea Wendland arrived at Centerville on September 9, 1998. During this time, the interior of the building was painted, the sound system was enhanced, drums were donated to the church, and a worship team was established. The Wendlands left Centerville Assembly in August 2000 to pastor Winner Assembly of God in Winner, South Dakota. Pastor Del and Carolyn Bittner served as interim pastors from November 2000 through July 2001.
On August 1, 2001, Rev. Spencer and Lisa Keroff assumed the pastorate of Centerville Assembly. Pastor Spencer left a lasting footprint of standing firm on God’s word and staying doctrinally pure. Lisa was active in ministry as well, serving on the worship team, and leading “Hands Full of H.O.P.E.”, Centerville Assembly’s puppet team. The building was paid off in 2003, and the church held a special mortgage-burning service on November 23, 2003.
Children’s Pastor Michelle Oftedahl moved to Centerville from Minnesota in November 2001 to join the staff. She served the church until April 2004 when she moved to Wisconsin.
Youth Pastor Brad and Sarah Dittmer came to Centerville Assembly in February 2004 with four children: Alesha, Emily, Caleb, and Anna. In addition to helping with the youth ministry, Sarah has had a court reporting business since 1999.
Family Pastor Jeff and Jennifer MacIntosh joined the pastoral team in May 2005. Weeks after moving from Massachusetts, the MacIntoshes added their third child to the family. And before leaving in October of 2008, they had their fourth. Their names are: Andrew, Annabelle, Adeline, and Abigale. While at Centerville Assembly, they led AllStars Kids Ministry and Harmony Family Ministry, as well as a vast amount of counseling and helping in many other areas. The MacIntoshes finished in Centerville in 2008 and moved to Maine to pastor a church.
On January 31st, 2010, the Keroffs concluded their ministry at Centerville Assembly and moved to Loveland, Colorado to plant a church. The Keroffs had two children while in Centerville: Chloe and Josiah. As the remaining pastor, Pastor Brad filled the pulpit until March 21st. At that time, the membership voted to have Pastor Brad and Sarah take their new responsibility as Lead Pastor. In 2011, the church moved forward by purchasing four lots of land next to the existing property for future expansion.
During the end of Pastor Spencer Keroff's time, Monty and Vicky Habben came to Centerville to help with the children’s ministry during an internship while keeping their business going in Des Moines. In 2011, they came back to help part-time on staff with the children and, in 2012, upon selling their business, Pastor Monty and Vicky moved to Centerville full-time. In 2015, the Habbens concluded their staff ministry.
Bob and Tasha Repp began leading our Children’s Outreach Ministry at the end of 2015. Bob and Tasha have six children: Melody, Joel, Stephen, Isaac, Samuel, and Simon.
In 2016, Harold and Stacy Lear and Shawn and Ashley Buckallew began leading the youth ministry as a team.
Starting in 2017, we began renovation on a number of projects. Our first big project was the foyer expansion and women's restroom remodel. Other projects have been the new sign by the road, new lighting in the sanctuary, new sound system, upgrade to shuttle bus, new siding on the building. More projects are on the way. God has been so very good to us.
In 2020, with the changes facing our nation due to the Coronavirus we have had the opportunity to take a step back. The fall of 2020 brings a new time at Centerville Assembly.