LINCOLN -- The Sanctuary, a United Pentecostal Church in Lincoln, has its name for a specific reason.
It is a "place of sanctuary, a place of hope and a place of help," said Pastor David McBride, who has served as pastor since 1990.
The church started more than 50 years ago in a tent revival. The Rev. Mark Baughman was the church's first pastor.
JoAnne Winkler and her husband, Willis, of Lincoln are charter members of the church. Her parents, who lived in Lincoln but attended a Pentcostal to church in Fayetteville, were part of a group that decided to start a church in Lincoln.
Winkler said the group used a big field behind her husband's garage on U.S. 62 for the tent revival in 1964 and that was the beginning of the church. From there, they rented a storefront on Lincoln Square. The church purchased an acre of land on Lincoln Avenue and moved into their own building about a year later.
Over the years, the church, which started with the name United Pentecostal Church, added an annex, remodeled areas and built a new worship center. It moved into its new worship area in December 2007, and at the same time, changed its name to The Sanctuary.
In all, The Sanctuary has about 15,000 square feet, including space for preschool, a children's area called Kidz World, Authentic Youth for teenagers, office space, worship center and a prayer room.
McBride, who is the only full-time person on staff, received his license in 1982 with the United Pentecostal Church and was helping as the youth minister for a small congregation in Rogers when members asked if he would accept the pastor's position.
McBride's past experience includes working as a brakeman and conductor for the Frisco Railroad for 18 years. He also is an artist. Train and railroad photos and some of his pen and ink artwork are framed and used to decorate his office at the church.
The Sanctuary's part-time staff includes members who are active in the community and northwest Arkansas.
Jason Campbell is church administrator and has served in that role since 1998. He works at the University of Arkansas as the human resource manager for the Sam M. Walton College of Business.
Tim O'Brien is church administrator and is retired from full-time children's ministry. O'Brien's son, Jeff O'Brien, is music minister. He has been leading in worship since he was 14 years old and is a captain with Prairie Grove Police Department.
McBride's son, Tyle McBride, serves as youth pastor. His full-time job is teaching English at Lincoln Middle School.
Church attendance averages around 200 people on Sunday mornings and members come from all around Lincoln, McBride said. They have people coming from Oklahoma, Siloam Springs, Fayetteville, Prairie Grove, Farmington and Lincoln. At one point, he said a couple who traveled south from Bella Vista to attend church.
"We have a lot of younger families, every group of people you can think of," he said. "We are multi-cultural and have some of every kind of people."
McBride said he would describe the Sunday morning worship service as more contemporary, with a mix of "some of everything." The church's website says the congregation expresses its worship to God the way the Bible describes by lifting up hands, praying aloud, clapping and singing.
The church believes in repentance and baptism in Jesus' name and believes in the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues, McBride said.
The church has baptized more than 100 people during the last two years.
Church ministries include programs for children, pre-teen, youth and a new outreach to help people with addictions of any kind.
Winkler describes the church as friendly and diversified.
"We have people from all walks of life and everyone is welcome and there's always just a good feeling. Everybody loves everybody," Winkler said.
General News on 01/18/2017