How it all started...
Deacon Pearl Hall, along with his wife Evangelist Myrtle Hall moved to Lebanon, IL with seven of their children in April of 1946 to start an Apostolic church. He built a small house which they use d for their home and church services. At that time they were members of the Church of Christ Dinv one Organization. Church services were held in the living room and in the yard when the weather permitted. Folding chairs were used for the congregation to sit on. Deacon and Sis. Hall made everyone feel welcomed; there were no color barriers for people that came to worship God in that little house. They went from house to house testifying of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and water in Jesus' Name. Deacon and Sis. Hall later selected Elder and Sis. Robert Edwards, Sr. who had preached for them often to become the leaders of the assembly.
Expanding the vision...
In February of 1982, Elder Charles Bennett from the Pentecostal Power Church of St. Louis, PPC Headquarters, was sent to Lebanon to hold the church together. Along with Elder Bennett came his family: Sis. Betty J. Bennett and children; Sis. Rosetta Griffin, Sis. Ellen Swarn, Sis. Patricia (Sims) Pride, and Sis. Debra Sims. The band of saints received them with open arms and glad hearts. Elder Bennett served as interim pastor for 2 years, and a formal request was made by the assembly to the board of Bishops for Elder Bennett to be installed as the permanent pastor.
In 1984,, the Presiding Bishop A.D. Bates installed Elder Bennett as the pastor, becoming the church's 3rd pastor. Under his leadership many souls were saved including the late daughter of Bishop Edwards, Jr., Evangelist Janet Brooks and Church Secretary Sis. Thomas, Sis. Jackie White to name a few. The church membership increased and we outgrew the facility. Elder Bennett's vision was to purchase a larger sanctuary. So the dream began and the saints embraced the idea of a new facility with gladness.
In October of 1995, the building at 208 N. Madison was discovered and negotiations began. On January 12, 1996 with the help of God, the building was successfully purchased. The old bowling alley was remodeled and transformed into new and current site of the Pentecostal Power Church of Lebanon (PPCLebanon). Throughout the years, the Madison site became a pillar of the community offering programs such as the Free Summer Food Program and Summer Camp, After School Tutoring Program, Adult GED Program, and Community Service Program Volunteer Program.
In 1984,, the Presiding Bishop A.D. Bates installed Elder Bennett as the pastor, becoming the church's 3rd pastor. Under his leadership many souls were saved including the late daughter of Bishop Edwards, Jr., Evangelist Janet Brooks and Church Secretary Sis. Thomas, Sis. Jackie White to name a few. The church membership increased and we outgrew the facility. Elder Bennett's vision was to purchase a larger sanctuary. So the dream began and the saints embraced the idea of a new facility with gladness.
In October of 1995, the building at 208 N. Madison was discovered and negotiations began. On January 12, 1996 with the help of God, the building was successfully purchased. The old bowling alley was remodeled and transformed into new and current site of the Pentecostal Power Church of Lebanon (PPCLebanon). Throughout the years, the Madison site became a pillar of the community offering programs such as the Free Summer Food Program and Summer Camp, After School Tutoring Program, Adult GED Program, and Community Service Program Volunteer Program.
Where we are headed...
Being blessed with a newly renovated and remodeled building, the PPCLebanon congregation moved back into the Madison site in March of 2015. Today, under the leadership of Bishop Charles E. Bennett, Presiding Bishop of the National Pentecostal Power Churches, Inc, PPCLebanon continues to make an impact with the community of Lebanon.
