About Us

Central Assembly was started in January 11, 1959

On January 11, 1959, a public service was conducted, with 37 people present, in the home of Reverend and Mrs. John Waldron. In April, 1959, the present location was purchased and a basement erected and used as a place of worship until the upper structure could be built in March, 1960. Rev. John Waldron served as Pastor until June, 1968.

The first service in the new sanctuary was November 15, 1970

Pastor Waldron was succeeded by Rev. and Mrs. J. O. Howard. As the congregation continued to grow, it was necessary to expand. Pastor Howard led the congregation in two building programs. The first being in January, 1968, at which time the congregation voted to incorporate and make application to affiliate with the General Council of the Assemblies of God, with headquarters in Springfield, MO. The first service in their new sanctuary was November 15, 1970.

More building programs in 1980

A Mini-gym, choir room, and offices were completed in the fall of 1980 under the leadership of Pastor Howard. The Howard’s continued to lead the congregation as the Pastors until October, 1982.

Reverend and Mrs. Hacker began their Ministry in December 1982

The Howard’s were succeeded by Rev. and Mrs. Ellis L. Hacker in December, 1982. In 1987, the church purchased 1218 Windsor and 1224 Windsor for expansion purposes. In 1989 the four-plex at 1210/1212 Windsor was purchased, and is currently being used as rental property. Pastor Hacker continued as Pastor until June, 1995. He was succeeded by Rev. and Mrs. Tim Collins in October, 1995. Pastor Tim served as Pastor at Central until March, 2005, when he was succeeded by Rev. Brant Jordan. He, along with his wife, Joanne, served as Pastors until February, 2011.

Reverend Terence (Terry) and Brenda Engler

Our current Pastors are Terry and Brenda Engler. The Englers became Pastors of Central A/G in May of 2011. Pastor Terry has pastored 5 previous churches, most recently Freedom’s Gate Assembly of God, in Wichita, KS. He, along with his wife, planted Freedom’s Gate in 2003 as a ministry to the formerly incarcerated and their families. Together, their passion for the lost is the primary factor that has brought them to Central Assembly! They view the City of Independence and surrounding areas as a prime Mission field, and together with the great congregation of Central Assembly, they desire to become laborers in God’s harvest of reaching the lost!