Pastor Shelly Hendricks Resigns

[Sam]

Originally Posted by CC1

I have heard that name before but don't remember in what context. Didn't really find out anything about the church from a quick google church other than it was incorporated July 2012. I am assuming maybe the new non profit Corporation was due to a church name change.

If anybody knows the history of the Hendricks and this church it would be interesting to know. Based on the recent pics with facial hair and the name change of the church makes me think they have "gone charismatic" as my UPC friends like to say!

We attended that church from 1963 or 64 until 1978/79 (not sure of the exact times)

The church was organized after a group split from the UPC church in Cincinnati which was pastored by Frank Curts. The split from what I understand was over the way money was handled (nobody seemed to know how much money came in and where it went), a pastor who had sole say --no board to control him, and of course the usual women stories. This was in 1945. Some of those who left were deacons and elders. Families were split.

The church was considered UPC for a very brief time. I've heard that but don't know anything else about it. There were around 20 some people who organized the new church. The first pastor was E.G. Lowe who served until 1947. I don't know anything about him. The Church was called the Full Gospel Church and purchased a building (an old machine shop) which was modified to seat a couple hundred people. I've seen a picture of a "record attendance" of 198 in that building. The next pastor was James Verdier who served until October 1952. He was replaced by Joe David Sizemore who took over as pastor in January, 1953. He was 21 years old and his wife Jackie was 19. I have seen a picture of the church with a "record" attendance" of 250 in October 1953. In 1960 they bought property and built a new church in the Carthage area of Cincinnati and it was named the Carthage Apostolic Church. In April 1962 they had a "record attendance" of 370. That's where we went as a family in 1963 or 1964. Bro. Sizemore was a member of the ALJC.

We left that church in 1978 or maybe 1979. At that time property had been purchased for a newer and larger church. In 1980 ground was broken and some time in 1981 they moved into the new building and the name was changed to Covenant Apostolic. As Bro. Joe David Sizemore got older, his son David became pastor and Joe David was considered the Bishop in 2000. This caused some problems and some people left and formed another church in a nearby city called Loveland, OH. Bro. Joe David Sizemore's health deteriorated and he wound up being on dialysis. When he was in the hospital I went to visit him and prayed for him. He and his wife were both very cordial even though I'm sure they considered me a "prodigal" and had not seen me for years. Bro. Sizemore died right around New Years day 2003. He had cleared out his office in the church and was going to go to Florida and live out his remaining days there. His son David resigned as pastor so the church had no pastor for a brief time. Shelly Hendricks, a graduate of JCM and a UPC minister took over.

There were problems over the years as Bro. Hendricks "relaxed" the standards and women in pants and earrings began to take an active part. Also there were Hispanics and African Americans coming to the church which upset some folks. A year of two ago the church some how became affiliated with Joel Osteen. As the "standards" were modified (or abandoned as some folks would say) many of the people left and now attend the UPC churches pastored by Norman Paslay and Joel Urshan in this area.

Today my wife was talking with an old friend that we had not heard from for many years. I will be 75 years old on December 6 and on December 8 we are having an open house and had sent out letters inviting people. She had received her invitation in today's mail and called to tell us that she and her husband would be here if possible. She is 80 years old or maybe a year or tow more and in pretty bad shape physically. She and her husband have attended the church pastored by Joel Urshan for some time now. She told my wife today "Bro. Hendricks should have resigned long ago before he ruined the church." She things that the church will just "disband" and sell the building.