our story

our history

As founding pastor, it was the desire of Rev. Curtis O. Pierce that an Apostolic church be
established in Columbia MO. Rev. Pierce, a graduate of Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul
MN, had been pastoring a small work in Fulton MO since 1957. Rev. Pierce and his wife,
Virginia lived in Fulton, but the majority of the Fulton congregation were traveling to Fulton
from their homes in Columbia. In July 1962, the Missouri District board met in Westphalia
MO at the campground and approved the relocation of the Fulton church to Columbia.
Pastor Pierce, his wife Virginia, and children Neal and Amy moved to Columbia in November
1962 and officially began holding services in their home as the United Pentecostal Church of
Columbia for approximately one year. In the fall of 1963, Pastor Pierce learned of a former
Latter Day Saints (Mormon) church building that was for sale. After speaking with the local
Mormon Church officials regarding the price of the building, Pastor Pierce contacted District
Superintendent Harry Branding and Secretary Guy Roam about the building. Brother
Branding and Bro. Roam came to Columbia to appraise the building in June 1963. It was
decided that the Columbia church would pay $500 earnest money and Bro. Branding’s church
would finance the loan as the Columbia church paid it off. The price for the building was
$12,000. This was a small white building with both an East and West entrance which
consisted of the sanctuary, three Sunday School rooms, a small kitchen and two single
bathrooms. The baptistery was located underneath the platform. In the fall of 1963, this
building was purchased and the first Sunday service was held at 211 Benton Street on
October 20, 1963, with eleven in attendance. Brother W.C. Parkey preached the first
fellowship meeting held in Columbia on November 1, 1963. Pastor Pierce resigned the church
in October 1969 for job relocation in Chicago IL where he continued to work for the Lord.

In 1969 Rev. and Mrs. Lawrence Leroux, sons Larry and Nathan and daughters Nadine and
Hannah came to fill the need as pastor temporarily until a permanent pastor could be
appointed. During his time at Columbia, Pastor Leroux and family also filled the same need at
the Boonville MO church until a permanent pastor was assigned there. Pastor Leroux
faithfully led the work in Columbia until 1971. His burden was to start new churches
throughout the country wherever needed.

In 1971, Rev. Kenneth Fuller became pastor. Bro. Fuller was a WWII veteran and had fought
in the Philippines. He, his wife Lillian, and children Debbie, Donna, Tim and Laura relocated
from Texas. In his tenure, he fostered the Columbia branch of the Pentecostal Student
Fellowship International to reach out to the students of the three colleges in Columbia, as a
result, the church saw a blessing of many college students come to the Lord. Lance and
Merna Appleton, who had recently graduated from Gateway College of Evangelism, came to
help in the campus work and were a blessing to the church’s outreach program. One of
Pastor Fuller’s burdens was to establish a Christian school for the children of the church
members. He planned and oversaw renovation of the original building into a larger sanctuary. 

A school building and basement were added to house a Christian school consisting
of pre-school through K-12. The Apostolic Christian Academy began operation in the fall of
1978. Pastor Fuller resigned as pastor of the church in Columbia in 1981 to become an
Associate in Missions to the Philippines, where he still labors today.

Rev. Robert Bentley became pastor in 1981. He and his wife, Judy Chambers Bentley, also
had a burden for the Christian school and continued this work during his tenure in Columbia.
In 1986 plans were drawn to enlarge the church by building a new sanctuary with balcony,
classrooms, offices and restrooms. This new renovation was dedicated on June 7, 1991.
Pastor and Sister Bentley resigned as pastor in 1994 to go to Russia to head an Accelerated
Christian School there.

In 1994, Rev. Robert Gilstrap began pastoring the church. Prior to coming to Columbia, he
and his wife had been evangelizing and had also served as pastor in Kansas City MO. Under
his leadership, the Columbia church sent one member to the foreign mission field: Kelley
Marsden. She and her husband, David Dibble were appointed as foreign missionaries to the
Philippines in 2011 and are now serving in the Micronesia areas. In August 2011, Pastor
Gilstrap resigned as pastor and retired to Texas to be near his children.

In August 2011, Rev. James Sample was elected pastor of the church. During his time in
Columbia, Pastor Sample led the church through a complete remodel of the church. Pastor
and Sister Sample also arranged the church’s 50 th anniversary reunion and celebration which
was held on November 9-11, 2012. Founding Pastor Curtis Pierce and Pastor Robert Gilstrap
and their families were in attendance. Pastor Leroux, who had since passed away, had family
in attendance. Pastor Kenneth Fuller sent a video presentation from the Philippines, and
Pastor Bentley sent a formal letter of recognition. Pastor Sample resigned as pastor in
December 2014 in order to take a position in St. Louis at the UPCI headquarters.

In February 2015, Rev. Kenneth James was elected as pastor of the church. Pastor and Sister
James had been evangelist for 17 years and had pastored in Springfield MO prior to coming to
Columbia MO. In 2016, the congregation chose “TrueLife Apostolic” as the new church name.
New programs have been started and souls have continued to be added to God’s Kingdom.
There is much excitement in the congregation as they all anticipate continued and greater
revival and harvest in Columbia MO! The church in Columbia has prospered in all of God’s
many blessings nearly 65 years now and to God be the glory!