Where We’re Going
The vision God is working out in us
Our vision for the future looks in multiple directions.
It looks upward in worship and adoration to God. It is our desire to continually progress in passionate spirit filled worship.
It looks outward in evangelism, ministry and mission. We believe God has called Praise Assembly to be a blessing to the city of Springfield, the surrounding area, as well as the world.
It also looks inward in fellowship and discipleship of every believer. We are continually looking for ways to connect people with God and one another and for effective means of equipping believers in the faith. At Praise Assembly our desire is to truly be a church that is founded on the Word and focused on people.
From the beginning vision has been a key word for Praise Assembly. In 1935, God put a vision in the heart of Ralph Riggs, pastor of Central Assembly in Springfield, MO. That vision was to plant four churches in different areas of the city to provide more opportunities for worship. Several families in Riggs’ congregation volunteered to become part of the new churches. One of those churches became known as Eastside Assembly of God, at the corner of Central and Prospect.
Visions of Physical Growth
From its beginnings in an unused grocery store, the small congregation added onto the small building as it began its work of expanding the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
In the late 1970s, the congregation of East Side had a vision of growth that involved buying property on the northern outskirts of Springfield and building a new campus. On April 5, 1981, the congregation of Eastside had its final service at Prospect and Central and made a caravan to the new property, where it would be known as Praise Assembly.
In the 90s, Pastor Billy Burris continued the vision of growth for Praise Assembly and expanded the existing multi-purpose building by adding a new sanctuary building and offices. In 1997, he conducted another meeting that began in one location and ended with a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony in the new facilities, which are enjoyed by the congregation today. We know that God has great plans for Praise Assembly and will be faithful to provide for us as ministry makes future expansion necessary.
Visions of Spiritual Growth
Growth is not only measured in numbers and the size of buildings, but is much more important in the less tangible terms Spiritual matters.
Through engaging and exciting worship led by Pastor David, the worship team and our sanctuary choir, we welcome the presence of the Lord into each gathering; through heartfelt prayer for each others needs we ask God’s provision to rest upon our family of believers; and through dedicated teaching from great servants of God we study the Word and grow closer in our daily relationship with Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 55:11 declares that when God’s Word is sent, it will not return empty but will achieve His purpose. Under the shepherding of such great pastors as John Paproski, J. Otis Harrell, Albert Pyle, Billy Burris and current Pastor Ken Fent, the family of Praise Assembly has a long history of growth in its dedication to the Word of God.
Visions of Outward Growth
We realize that God’s blessings are not intended to be hoarded, but to be shared with others. That is why we reach out to the Springfield community in many ways. Whether its engaging in an off-campus outreach or opening our auditorium for a local school Christmas gift-giveaway, welcoming our local law enforcement members as they honor their fallen or hosting graduation ceremonies, Praise is honored to be a part of our great community.
The outreach of Praise extends much farther than our local area, though. We take seriously the Great Commandment of Jesus to “go into all the world and preach to Good News to everyone everywhere” through group missions efforts, such as men’s international church-building teams and youth missions trips, as well as financially and prayerfully supporting many missionary teams in more than 40 countries.