Our Story

First Assembly of God held its first Worship Service on April 7, 1968, at its original location of 919 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, Virginia.  The attendance at First Assembly of God the first Sunday numbered 17, and the Rev. Herbert L. Coffey was the first pastor. By 1970, land was purchased just south of Harrisonburg, and a ground-breaking ceremony was held at the new Church location in 1971.  In December of 1971, the Rev. Ken G. Schloe became the second pastor of First Assembly of God. The first service to be held in the newly-built modular facilities occurred in April of 1972, with the building being dedicated in May of the same year.  The Rev. W.P. Odum serving as dedicatory speaker.  Rev. Herbert L. Coffey returned as pastor in 1972. The Rev. James Hendershot became the third pastor of First Assembly of God in December, 1973, and Rev. David W. Brookman became the fourth pastor in September, 1976. On April 13, 1980, there was a second ground-breaking ceremony conducted by Rev. H. Spruill, District Superintendent, and finally on May 17, 1980, construction began on the new building.  In just 4 ½ months the Church was completed, and the first service in the new building was held September 7, 1980, with dedication service on September 14, 1980.

On July 1, 1988, Rev. Jeffrey B. Ferguson became the fifth  pastor of First Assembly of God.   We broke ground for our present multi-purpose sanctuary in September, 2002. The first service was held August 18, 2003. Harrisonburg First Assembly of God recently paid off a 20-year, $1.3 million mortgage in 11 years and eight months. But the real kicker is that the church maintained its mission of allocating 20 percent of its funds toward missions, both local and international, throughout that time.  Pastor Jeff retired after serving 34 years as Lead Pastor in December 2021.