Grenada, MS
Pastor Leonard Huggins started the First United Pentecostal Church of Grenada in the year of 1959. The church’s first location was on Highway 51 North in a storefront building. The church would later move to East End Circle.
In 1972, Brother Mike Newsome was the presbyter, and Brother Lee Edwards was Superintendent of the District. Brother Newsome sent his son-in-law, Brother Clint Holly as an interim pastor and helped the church through trying times. After some time, Brother Edwards approached Brother Horace and Sister Kay Jackson about considering pastoring the church. After much prayer, they begin to commute preaching and teaching at the Grenada work. In 1975, the church elected Brother Horace and Kay Jackson as the pas- tor with 17 people, including the Jackson family.
The church sold the property on East End Circle and purchased 7 acres of undeveloped land on 34 Bruce Rd located on highway 8 east (this is currently the church location). Brother Jackson purchased a small dozer and began to develop the 7 acres (around 3 acres was sold later by pastors following Brother Jackson).
Brother Jackson contacted Magnolia Mobile Homes in Vicksburg to build a church chapel unit. They al- lowed the church to purchase the chapel at cost. They set up the mobile home chapel where the current building resides. They installed the septic tank and a 600-foot deep water-well before setting up the mobile home chapel. After setting up the mobile home, the church built a small fellowship building (it is now a breezeway joining the old sanctuary and the new sanctu- ary. It also includes a commercial kitchen and a cafe).
Below are several individuals baptized during the Jackson families pastorate.
Dent Thomas, Bobby Avery, Dewey Avery, Kim Avery, Loretta Avery, Norman Thomas, Sandra Downs, Bobby Avery Jr., Martha Gray, Steve Green, Sarah Jones, Lisa Jones, Edward Anthony, Vasti An- thony, Charlotte Hocutt, Tony Hocutt, Sherry Hocutt, James Sullivan, Sherry Sullivan, Linda Downs, Allen Thomas, Cherry Shaw, Alice Hawkins, Danny Duvall, Becky Avery, Donna Downs, Tammy Avery, Malisa Melton, Angelia Whitfield, Bonnie Downs, and Linda B. Downs
Upon the resignation of the Jacksons, Brother Roy Joshlin became pastor in October 1983 and served until his resignation in 1987. In 1987, Brother R.L. Tolbert became pastor and served until late 1993. During Brother Tolbert’s pastorate, he built a brick sanctuary that is currently the multipurpose center.
In November 1993, the church with only 14 people elected Brother David and Sister Gwen Tipton as pastor. Brother and Sister Tipton and their two boys, Devonn and Damon, lived in their 32-foot travel trailer for 18 months parked by the fellowship hall. Brother Tipton and the church built a family life center connected to the fellowship building. Several years later, Brother Tipton pe- titioned each member to ask for an agreement to renovate the gymnasium into the new sanctuary. The church voted 100%.
On Easter Sunday, March 27th, 2005, Brother Tipton challenged the church to complete the gymnasium renovations into the new sanctuary in just 50 days. The church took the chal- lenge, and the first service in the new sanctuary was on Pentecost Sunday, May 15th, 2005. During the renovations, there were many obstacles. One of these obstacles was an electrical outlet shorted, catching the church on fire. Although there were much smoke, fire, and water damage, the church stayed with its mission and completed the work. From Easter to Pentecost Sunday, many amaz- ing things happened. The church changed its name to be known in the community currently as The Pentecostals of Grenada.
In November of 2006, the church elected Brother Tipton’s younger son, Damon, as Associate Pastor. In 2008, the church elected Brother Damon lead pastor. Brother David Tipton assumed the role of Senior Pas- tor. Pastor Damon is the current pastor (2020) of The Pentecostals of Grenada, where he serves the congre- gation along with his wife, Kandi, and their three children, Kanon, Kade, and Darlynn.
The congregation consists of diverse and beautiful people. God has truly blessed The Pentecostals of Grenada.