History

As Malone Assembly of God celebrates its 85th anniversary serving the Lord, we reflect back on those that came before us.

In 1939, Mary Carnes, Vava Walker, and Doris Hanson began teaching a daily bible school under the direction of Pastors V.I. Galbraith and C.C. Hutchcroft who served for three years each. After three weeks Carnes, Walker, and Hanson were invited to stay.

1949 brought a change in leadership when Pastor Leonard Phillip applied for affiliation with the Assemblies of God and served for three years here. In the same year, the church was accepted as an Assembly of God affiliate. He turned over leadership to Pastors Norman Hanson for four years, and Robert Teeter for a year as well.

In 1962, the church was deeded from the trustees of Malone Community Church to the Assemblies of God under Pastor E.J. Torgerson who shepherded his flock for six years. During this time, Wally Root and Richard Caddy also served for one year each.

From 1964 to 1971 Pastor Myrl Decker was happily watching over the flock of Malone along with Latson for one year, Paul Tappero for four years, Bill Sanford for one year, Al Hawley for one year, Dave Schlewitz for two years, Marty Engebretsen for 2 years and Javan Haines for 4 years. What wonderful leadership was built up during this time.

In 1989 a remodel began under Pastor John Bush who served for two years and then Pastor Kim Kruger for 21 years bringing a longer stability to the members.

In 2013 Pastor Daniel Sabo took over for Pastor Kruger. In 2015 Pastor Chris Hinkle took over for Pastor Sabo who was a delight to his congregation. During this time the blue building was turned into a dinner church which was so beneficial to the local community. the local community. Tragedy struck when the church house next door burned down, after which the community food bank was moved into the blue shop. When the Lord led Pastor Hinkle and his wife into becoming missionaries, his father Doug Hinkle came out of retirement to shepherd our church with amusing yet poignant truths and direction for a year and a half until a pastor with a similar love for God, his Holy Word, and the support of missions around the world could be found.

The long pursuit of a pastor with the love of the Lord, strong belief in Jesus Christ as our savior, not willing to shy away from tough subject matter, and a gift of humor that balances out weekly guidance from the pulpit, ended when Pastor Ricky Guadarrama applied for the position at Malone Assembly of God. He and his family have been serving at Malone for 3 years, guiding this little yet important church in the community. He asked for the church body to support the much needed church plant in Moses Lake, Wa. This church plant is now complete in 2024 and growing in attendance quickly. Another project was to rebuild and refurbish the church house next door for visiting missionaries and emergencies.

For many of us, Malone Assembly is a place of not only worship, but refuge, refreshment, community, and counsel. For many of us it is a place to serve the Lord, be a beacon to those who desire a safe place to come out of the dark, and refine our understanding of truths revisited. For some of us, it's the place where we have the family we chose.

Whatever the reason brings someone through the doors of the Malone Assembly of God, it is dedicated to stand up for Christ's way and God's will. Humbly gathering his children in this building to receive or give whatever will glorify Him. Celebrating this anniversary is a day where we take stock to say, the Lord has provided, guided, directed, and healed our community. It's when we say, thank you Lord, you have been so evident in changing and transforming our lives. It's a day in reverence of the blessings and obstacles that were overcome since 1939.