Where to begin with memories of new Bethany assembly of God?! Being the ripe age of three years old when the church was organized in 1936 as Mount Herman - later changed, because of a disagreement, to New Bethany.

Earliest recollections were of “Brush Arbors”, raised by poles and anchored in the ground, to form a square, covered with tree limbs spread out on top for shade or protection from the elements. Seats were fashioned with boards spaced apart.

One particular “arbor” revival was conducted by Reverend Willie Green Henderson. He did not need a loudspeaker or microphone. He was vocally equipped and could yell, “Glory (Gloree) to God” loud enough to be heard for miles around. Every time he yelled, so did I as I’d come off the pallet that my sister Anner Lou (Perkins) Hall had me sleeping on under the benches. She’d grab me and out from under the arbor and she’d take me still screaming as loud as the preacher.

Then there were “Grove Meetings”. These took place before church began. People would come 2 to 3 hours early in order to pray before service time

The women and girls would go out in the woods and brush to pray. The men and boys went to the left to pray. There was no playing around. Back then the parents knew exactly how to take care of “disturbances” and we didn’t forget so soon afterwards, either. Those parents carried the “Rod of Correction” everywhere they went.

“Grove Meeting” prayers were not a few seconds or minutes. They lasted “hours”. By the time the “grove prayer warriors” got to the “Arbor”, the Spirit and Power of God was so powerfully rich, the preacher had no trouble delivering the message, singers had no problem singing, people had no trouble worshiping God because they’d prayed the hindrances out of the way. Prayers were prayed and ready to work in the healing lines, sometimes 2 to 3 lines deep. Many were saved, miracles wrought, and many deliver.

New Bethany‘s first pastor H.S. “Hans” Ellis, evangelized throughout the surrounding communities with a group of Christian workers, including some of our locals. My sister, Anner Lou Perkins Hall, Sister Minnie (Carter) Young, Sister Willie Mae (Clevis) Braddocks, among them.

Platforms were built for the pastors to minister from (to be seen and heard better) because the meetings were always packed out. So many of the young people would sing praises with motions while Brother Ellis played his guitar. I’m sure there were other musicians as well.

Now there were “Protracted Meetings”, too! These revivals would last 6 to 8 weeks at a time with miracles, deliverances, healings, and souls saved. People traveled from miles around to attend “Protracted Meetings”. People left their work and their farming to go to the services - sometimes getting home in time to eat breakfast and go back to their work and their fields, only to repeat, as long as the meetings lasted. Some walked miles while some came with horses or mules and wagons. Cars were scarce in those days.

Walking is what I remember most as our conveyance. There was sister Dolly Burke with her children (and she had a few) and my mama M.C. Granny Perkins, with me and as many grandchildren as she could gather. Mae Belle (Perkins) Tillis furnished most of the grands. We walked 5 miles to church and 5 miles back home on Sundays. They would hold Sunday School around lighter knot fires in the winter. There were no air conditioners in the summer, just “armstrong fans” and sleeves! That was before paper towels were invented, too. All of this took place when we were between pastors.

Sometimes we’d go home with the Burke’s and sometimes we might get to have the mule and wagon for us young’ens to walk, run, and play around while the “old folks” rode. That was also before the first frame structure was built.

Pictures were taken of those helping with the building, growth, and attendance of church. Photos are worth a thousand words are wonderful memory keepsakes.

Brother Herman Mitchell was a great inspiration for me and many others. Many times he walked to New Bethany from Caryville, where he and his family then lived. At other times he rode a bicycle to the church in order to deliver messages and pastor New Bethany. He worked to support his family. Sometimes he was able to get a car to bring his family.

Annie Mae Thames gave Brother Mitchell gas from the Hammacks store because the tithes and offerings were scarce. But that didn’t keep him away or discourage him. He was a dedicated preacher and faithful.

Between June and September 1950, there were 20 - 25 young teenagers who performed the C.A.’s (Christ Ambassadors). These young people didn’t need gimmicks to entice them to come to church. We gathered at 5 pm and carry the C.A.’s on as church – with songs, prayers, testimony services, prayer requests, and Bible Study with open discussion. Sometimes the adults will close their meeting early in order to “sit in” on the C.A.’s meetings.

In September 1950 when I married, I left New Bethany for 20 years. Returning in 1970, I’ve been to many churches here and across the country to Missouri. I’ve helped in other churches but New Bethany is HOME.