Crystal Springs, MS
First Apostolic was founded in 1970 by Raymond D. Moore, and his wife Hazel in a small building, in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. The congregation grew as some who had once attended Calvary Pentecostal Church, that no longer existed in the Gatesville community chose First Apostolic as their new church home. First Apostolic soon outgrew the rented building, and Raymond Moore and the congregation purchased the land to build First Apostolic.
At that time, it was just a field, but a community has grown around it. Several pastor friends and men of the church worked together to build a place where many lives would be touched throughout its exis- tence. Some of those pastors were, Paul Matthew, Bobby Sanders and Jerry Sullivan, just to name a few, who helped Raymond Moore, and congregation to construct the building. Raymond Moore built a home on a lot behind the church, where his family lived until he died. He worked in carpentry and was well known for his work in the city of Crystal Springs.
At one time there were 7 ministers, tutored under the leadership of Raymond Moore, some who con- tinue to serve God, to this day. Many of the children of its Sunday School program, have grown to be- come influential people of the Mississippi District, Darrell Bates for example, now serves as District Youth President, at the time of this writing. James Menona, and Wilbur Cupstid, are ministers, whose lives were influenced by the ministry of Pastor Moore, and First Apostolic.
Billy Bates, and his wife, Gail, the parents of Darrell Bates, are the oldest members, still worshipping at First Apostolic. Billy Bates has served faithfully as Church Secretary for many years. Their lives and faithfulness have been a blessing throughout the existence of First Apostolic.
Many of the people who received the Holy Ghost under Pastor Moore’s ministry, serve other churches of our District. Many names have been added to the Lord’s, Book of Life, because of the witness of First Apostolic. It still stands and remains a beacon of hope and light, to this day. It has seen its ebb and flow of people, reaching a peak of over 100 members, at one time. The blessing of God still flows unto the congregation of First Apostolic.
Upon the passing of Pastor Raymond Moore who served as pastor for 31 years, the congregation needed a dedicated leader to carry on the vision for Crystal Springs. A very capable minister Wilbur Cupstid who was mentored under Pastor Moore was chosen to become the second pastor of First Apostolic.
First Apostolic has been a beacon of light and truth, since its founding. Only God knows how many mis- sionaries it has blessed through the years, and lives it has influenced, through the efforts of its congregation. The church still influences lives under the leadership of Pastor Wilbur Cupstid. First Apostolic has given 50 years of service to the lives and community of Crystal Springs What a testament to its founder, current pas- tor and the people that God added to the congregation, over the years of its existence. to God be the glory, now and forever!!