March 3 Today in OPC History

That Prescott Presbyterian was ever received by the OPC on this day in 1996 is somewhat astonishing for Dr. Charles S. Poling was one of God’s providential instruments in the founding of this congregation. In the early 1960s, Poling, although a self-identified modernist, aggressively opposed a plan of union for the Protestants being put forth in the Presbyterian Church, USA. He was also opposed to the PCUSA's participation in the National Council of Churches. Like his brother, Daniel Poling, the predecessor to Norman Vincent Peale at Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan, Poling thought that the better solution was the creation of a new world order.

Because of his opposition to the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches, Charles Poling came out of the UPUSA in 1964 to become pastor of an independent congregation, the Church of all Christian Faiths. Around 1970, this Church of All Christian Faiths planted another congregation in Prescott, Arizona.

In August 1976, a representative of the Presbyterian Church in America introduced this congregation to the PCA. They voted to become a PCA congregation, and they were received into the PCA in October, 1976. The Rev. Charles Turner became their Pastor, and his successor, Gary Findley was pastor when the congregation was received by the OPC on March 3, 1996.

In 1998, the Rev. Charles Perkins was called as pastor of Prescott Presbyterian Church. Along with the regular, glorious worship and mutual edification of the church, Prescott Church under Pastor Perkin's ministry has focused on church planting in Cottonwood, Arizona and in Concho, Arizona.

Picture: Charlie Perkins and the members of Prescott Church at a fellowship meal.