Who We Are
Gospel Assembly Church is a Pentecostal, non-denominational church located in Urbandale, Iowa. Our congregation is committed to the preaching of the Gospel, the study of Scripture, and the spiritual growth of God's people.
Our History
Our Beginnings
The history of Gospel Assembly Church is rooted in the Pentecostal movement of the early twentieth century.
In 1912, William J. Sowders experienced a spiritual awakening that would lead him into the ministry. Beginning in 1914, he traveled throughout the Midwest preaching the Gospel and teaching the Scriptures. His ministry eventually established a fellowship of churches devoted to the study of God's Word, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the restoration of New Testament principles.
Following Brother Sowders' passing in 1952, the work continued through ministers who had been influenced by his teachings, including Brother T. M. Jolly.
The Church in Des Moines
In March 1963, Brother Lloyd L. Goodwin came to Des Moines, Iowa, to pastor a small congregation of approximately sixteen people meeting at 800 Des Moines Street.
Under his leadership, the congregation grew, and in 1970, the church relocated to a larger building at the corner of Sixth and Clinton Streets in Des Moines.
As the congregation continued to expand, plans were made for a permanent home. In 1980, a new church building was completed on eight acres of land at 7135 Meredith Drive in Urbandale, Iowa, where the congregation continues to worship today.
A Growing Fellowship
During Brother Lloyd Goodwin's ministry, the work extended beyond Des Moines as new congregations were established and relationships developed with ministers and churches throughout the United States and abroad.
The Des Moines congregation became an important center for fellowship meetings, Bible teaching, and the training and encouragement of ministers. Through these gatherings and the dedication of ministers and congregations, believers came together in worship, fellowship, and a shared desire to understand and live according to God's Word.
Brother Lloyd Goodwin continued to pastor the church until his passing in July 1996.
Continuing the Work
Following Brother Lloyd Goodwin's passing, his brother, Brother Vernon Goodwin, assumed the pastorate.
Although his ministry as pastor was brief, Brother Vernon continued the work of the congregation until his passing in November 1997.
He was succeeded by his son, Brother Glenn Goodwin, who continues to serve as pastor of Gospel Assembly Church.
Our Church Today
Today, Gospel Assembly Church remains at 7135 Meredith Drive in Urbandale, Iowa. We continue to enjoy fellowship with churches and ministers throughout the United States and internationally. Together, we remain committed to the preaching of the Gospel, the study of Scripture, and the spiritual growth of God's people.
What We Believe
- We believe that the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, was given by inspiration of God, and is our only rule in matters of faith, doctrine, and practice.
- We believe in creation; that man was created by the direct act of God and in the image of God. We believe that Adam and Eve, in yielding to the temptation of Satan, became fallen creatures.
- We believe that all men are born in sin, and thus the necessity for repentance.
- We believe in the incarnation, the virgin birth, and deity of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.
- We believe in His vicarious and substitutional death on the cross as (the) atonement for the sins of mankind by the shedding of His own blood at Calvary.
- We believe that the atonement also provides deliverance and healing for those who believe in His name.
- We believe in justification by faith, and sanctification to be the way of holiness.
- We believe that grace and works as recorded in James, chapter two, are compatible. We believe that justification must be sustained by obedience to God’s Word.
- We believe in the resurrection of His body from the tomb, His ascension to Heaven, and that He is now our Advocate. We believe the church to be a direct result of the first advent and that men are to be actively drawn into it.
- We believe water baptism to be scriptural when administered to believers only.
- We believe in the necessity of the New Birth, and that this New Birth is through the regeneration by the Holy Spirit as recorded in the second chapter of Acts.
- We believe that other tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the restoration of Israel.
- We believe that He is personally coming again at His glorious pre-millennial second advent to judge the wicked, to resurrect the righteous dead, and to establish the Kingdom of God upon this earth.
- We believe that this statement of faith is a sufficient basis for Christian fellowship and that all born-again men and women who sincerely accept this, can, and should, live together in peace, and that it is their Christian duty to promote harmony among the members of the Body of Christ, and also to work together to get the Gospel to as many people as possible in the shortest period of time.
Join Us
We welcome you to worship with us in person or watch our services online.