Our History

Our District History

The late Elder Charlie Jiles had no idea that when he prayed for Mrs. Warren, he would become the founder of a new COGBF in Ozark, AL and an entirely new district in Southeast Alabama.  Mrs. Warren was the sister of Brother Crews and the late mother of Sis. Sally McClain.  After Elder Jiles prayed for her, she wrote a letter inviting him to run a revival in Ozark and he was moved by the Holy Ghost to accept the request.  On his way there, he stopped to speak with Elder Willie W. Matthews who was the pastor of the Ocala COGBF at that time.  Elder Jiles asked him if he would come to Alabama if a pastor was needed and Elder Matthews agreed.   Elder Jiles arrived in Ozark in late May 1945 and Elder Mathews joined him on June 9, 1945.  The tent was set up in College Alley and many souls were saved.  Some of the first converts included, Elder and Sister Alex McClain, Mother Versie Ruffin, Sis. Ledie Ruffin, Minister Shelly Bivins, and Sis. Carrie Bell Smith-Martin.  These founding members and many others received the Holy Ghost.

One night, the power of God was falling so forcefully that the tent’s support ropes started popping like whips in the wind.  Elder Matthews and others searched for the cause of the popping because the wind was calm.  It quickly became obvious that is was the Spirit of God.  Elder Matthews and Elder Jiles stayed up late into the evening ministering to the people who had been touched.  It is unknown how many people received the Holy Ghost because they continued to come late in to the night.  That great revival changed the religious and moral attitudes in the Ozark community.  People who had been living together got married and those who had long illnesses were miraculously healed.

During the 1945 August Assembly Meeting, the National Supreme Council allotted funds to build a church in Ozark.  The construction was started in September 1945 under the supervision of Elder Matthews, Brother John Robert Neal and others.  The dedication was held on the third Sunday in November 1945, with a membership of approximately 40 people.  In 1945, the Council appointed Elder Matthews as the first official Pastor of the Ozark Church.  In 1945, the Council also appointed Elder Matthews as the first superintendent of the District and Sister Bernice Williams-Harvey was appointed the first district secretary. The District continued to progress with Elder Matthews pastoring and Elder Jiles evangelizing.  The Lord continued to bless and add souls to His church.  In 1947, Elder Jiles pitched a tent in Dothan, AL and a church was dedicated the same year.  Elder Matthews was appointed the first Pastor.  Saints who were saved began missionary work in their homes and in surrounding areas.  By November 1952, the church in New Brockton was dedicated and many people continued to be healed and saved.

In 1953, (the then) Brother Samuel Beachem, Jr. and others started a mission in Marianna, FL.  They went from house to house, held street services and eventually conducted a tent revival.  Many souls were saved and another COGBF was established.  As the Lord continued to bless, Brother Clarence Smiley was led to Ashford, AL to the home of Brother Henry Hall.  A tent was raised around 1954 and Missionary Eloise Hightower, Brother Samuel Beachem, Jr. and others worked faithfully during that revival.  Overseer Nathaniel and Mother Essie Scippio, joined the group in Ashford and that church was dedicated in September 1954.  In 1959, Elder W. W. Matthews was appointed the second Bishop and Elder Samuel Beachem, Jr. became the second superintendent.  He served until December 1964.  Elder J.  C. Smith was then appointed the third superintendent.  He served until December 2017.  In 1977, Elder Beachem moved to Washington State to continue expanding the COBGF where he was appointed District Elder.  The evangelistic spirit was carried to Vernon, FL in the mid-sixties and to Auburn, AL and Andalusia, AL in the seventies.  The church in Gordon was launched on May 25, 2005.  Since that time, churches have been purchased in Crestview, FL, Opp, AL, and Cottondale, FL.  The mission in Panama City, FL continues. The District is still moving and expecting great things under the leadership of our presiding District Superintendent, Ruling Elder H. N. Turner, who was appointed in December 2017 by the Executive Council.