# Gospel Assembly Churches > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gospel_Assembly_Churches > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gospel_Assembly_Churches.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_Assembly_Churches > Source revision: 1351724908 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Gospel Assembly Churches** are non-denominational Christian Churches based in the United States. The churches were founded in 1914 by minister William Sowders (1879-1952). ## Origins The beginnings of Gospel Assemblies may be traced to [Paducah, Kentucky](/source/Paducah,_Kentucky) in 1914 during [the early American Pentecostal movement](/source/Azusa_Street_Revival#Birth_of_Pentecostal_movement). Sowders, a former Louisville policeman,[1] evangelized primarily in the lower Ohio River valley region, settling in [Louisville](/source/Louisville,_Kentucky), where he established a congregation and ministered there until his death in 1952.[1] Sowders' designated successor, T. M. Jolly,[Brother Thomas Miles Jolly](http://www.tmjolly.com/) ministered in [St. Louis](/source/St._Louis,_Missouri) until 1991.[2] ## Doctrine Like other [evangelical](/source/Evangelical) denominations, Gospel Assembly churches believe the Bible to be the pure Word of God. Members utilize the term 'the Body of Christ' to refer to their fellowship exclusively, and 'Babylon' to refer to the remainder of the church world. They consider their movement to represent a [restoration](/source/Restorationism) of the early church.[3] No formal doctrinal statement is published because they consider themselves to be continually growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. However, they are distinctly [nontrinitarian](/source/Nontrinitarian), neither are they [oneness](/source/Oneness) like other Christians within the [Pentecostal](/source/Pentecostal) tradition. They commit to the God Head doctrine of [Arianism](/source/Arianism). Like most churches, primary worship services are traditionally held on Sundays, however, most often they are in the early afternoon, in a departure from standard practice.[4][5] They believe in [spiritual communion](/source/Spiritual_Communion), meaning that their communion takes place over the fellowship of the Word of God, and also do practice the literal [Lord's Supper](/source/Eucharist) with [the elements](/source/Eucharist). The churches practice literal water baptism as an outward ritual, but also emphasize the spiritual aspects of the ordinances. ## Order and practice Gospel Assemblies is Pentecostal by experience. They ascribe to [holiness](/source/Outward_holiness) as the result of a [sanctified](/source/Sanctification) heart, expressed in standards of speech and demeanor, modest dress, and a lifestyle of humility and moderation.[6] Music is orchestral-based, with many of their published hymns and choruses written by church members.[7][8] Their worship services are conducted in 'open-order' fashion, somewhat similar to [Quaker](/source/Quaker) worship services, encouraging active participation by the congregation in music and in the ministry of the Word, as led by the Spirit of God. ## Constituency Gospel Assembly churches are located in 17 nations, including some in western Europe, southern Africa, Mexico, and the Caribbean region. While centered in the lower [Midwest](/source/Midwest), Gospel Assemblies can be found in 40 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces, with 150,000 to 200,000 members in several thousand congregations internationally.[9] A schism from the group, founded by Lloyd Goodwin and based in [Des Moines, Iowa](/source/Des_Moines,_Iowa), is almost identical in faith and practice but differs on issues of polity and leadership.[10] That group publishes a quarterly magazine, *The Gospel of Peace*. ## Facilities In 1935, Sowders established the Gospel of the Kingdom campground at [Shepherdsville, Kentucky](/source/Shepherdsville,_Kentucky) for camp meetings, which still remains in use.[11] Ministerial meetings for doctrinal discussion are held at the campground which are known as "the threshing floor." The fellowship's largest church, a 3000-seat building in Louisville on Stone Street Road known as “The Convention Center”, is also used for conventions. Another very large congregation is in Houston. www.gahouston.org. ## Cult accusations and cult-like practices Some former and some current members feel that Gospel Assemblies possesses several characteristics of a sociological [cult](/source/Cult).[12][13] Former and current adherents cite spiritual abuse and "heavy shepherding," including control of activities, finances, time, possessions, and relationships. The church has, however, refuted these claims.[14] ## References 1. ["Watchman Fellowship Profile: Gospel Assembly Church"](https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/gospelassemblychurchprofile.pdf) 1. Kirkland, Stephen (August 16, 1993). "Church Attracts Protest Shelter For Minister In Sex Case Criticized". *St. Louis Post Dispatch* 1. ["Watchman Profiles - Gospel Assembly Church"](https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/gospelassemblychurchprofile.pdf) 1. ["Events"](https://www.gacindianapolis.com/schedule). *gacindy* 1. ["Gospel Tabernacle - Godfrey, Illinois"](https://www.godfreygospeltabernacle.com/). *Godfrey Church* 1. ["Gospel Assembly Church - Photos"](https://gospelassemblyfree.com/gac/photo.html) 1. *Voices of Praise*. Gospel Assembly Music Staff, St. Louis, Missouri. 1982. 1. *New Voices of Praise*. Gospel Assembly Music Staff, St. Louis, Missouri. 1988. 1. ["Church Directory"](https://www.thechurchatmorley.org/directory/) 1. ["About"](https://dmgac.org/about/) 1. ["All of God's People Welcome | Gospel of the Kingdom Campground | Shepherdsville, KY"](https://www.gospelkingdomcampground.org/). *Gospel Kingdom* 1. ["Gospel Assembly Church - Info on cults"](https://www.gospelassemblyfree.com/gac/cult.html) 1. ["Gospel Assembly Visitor Comments"](https://www.culteducation.com/group/938-gospel-assembly/7606-gospel-assembly-visitor-comments.html) 1. ["Gospel Assembly Church - This church is not a cult, pastor says"](https://www.gospelassemblyfree.com/gac/notacult.html). *www.gospelassemblyfree.com* ## External links - [Watchman profile - Gospel Assembly Church](https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/gospelassemblychurchprofile.pdf) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gospel Assembly Churches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_Assembly_Churches) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_Assembly_Churches?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.