How it all started...
Pastor Carter and Nancee, his bride of four months, moved to Bowling Green in early June. They began to visit the 30-some people from the Perrysburg Bethel Assembly of God who lived in or near Bowling Green and who would comprise the nucleus of the new church. Pastor Carter also participated in various Bible studies in the area, and he talked to everyone he could about Dayspring (Luke 1:78-79, “Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”)
The response to the idea of the new church was so great, that it was decided to hold the first service earlier than anticipated. On July 10, 1983, Dayspring held their first service in two meeting rooms of the University Motor Lodge (the former Holly Lodge, on Wooster Street near I-75). One room was for the adults, the other for the children. Attendance at the first service was 65. Within two months, even with adding a third room, Dayspring had outgrown the facilities there.
In October of 1985, the congregation was able to purchase, debt-free, a 10 acre plot of land with a spacious 4-bedroom brick home on it. The property was located on State Route 25, just ¼ mile north of the Woodland Mall. Pastor Randy Carter took on the almost overwhelming role of general contractor.
The response to the idea of the new church was so great, that it was decided to hold the first service earlier than anticipated. On July 10, 1983, Dayspring held their first service in two meeting rooms of the University Motor Lodge (the former Holly Lodge, on Wooster Street near I-75). One room was for the adults, the other for the children. Attendance at the first service was 65. Within two months, even with adding a third room, Dayspring had outgrown the facilities there.
In October of 1985, the congregation was able to purchase, debt-free, a 10 acre plot of land with a spacious 4-bedroom brick home on it. The property was located on State Route 25, just ¼ mile north of the Woodland Mall. Pastor Randy Carter took on the almost overwhelming role of general contractor.
In 1987 the 500 seat auditorium plus offices and an educational wing were completed. Dayspring held their first service in the new building on May 10 with an attendance of 355. Although Pastor Carter and the congregation were very thankful to have such a spacious and beautiful building in which to worship, their belief was that the building is not the church, but simply the structure that houses the true church…the people of God.
On June 5, 1988, Pastor Randy Carter announced his resignation to the Dayspring congregation. In his final letter, Pastor Randy said, “In the natural, leaving is the hardest thing we’ve experienced, but in the Spirit, we are excited to answer God’s call and see what’s ahead.
On June 5, 1988, Pastor Randy Carter announced his resignation to the Dayspring congregation. In his final letter, Pastor Randy said, “In the natural, leaving is the hardest thing we’ve experienced, but in the Spirit, we are excited to answer God’s call and see what’s ahead.
Expanding the vision...
In August of 1988, the Board asked a young 38 year old pastor from Illinois, and his wife to travel to Dayspring for an interview. Pastor James Allen recalls, "Debbie and I were considering another church in Ohio. We were in the Illinois District Office at the time. The Ohio District Superintendent, Robert Crabtree, asked me to do him a favor and pray about a church that was open in Bowling Green. I said OK.
In August of 1988, the Board asked a young 38 year old pastor from Illinois, and his wife to travel to Dayspring for an interview. Pastor James Allen recalls, "Debbie and I were considering another church in Ohio. We were in the Illinois District Office at the time. The Ohio District Superintendent, Robert Crabtree, asked me to do him a favor and pray about a church that was open in Bowling Green. I said OK.
On Sunday, August 14 in the evening service, Pastor James Allen was elected as senior pastor of Dayspring.
In August of 1988, the Board asked a young 38 year old pastor from Illinois, and his wife to travel to Dayspring for an interview. Pastor James Allen recalls, "Debbie and I were considering another church in Ohio. We were in the Illinois District Office at the time. The Ohio District Superintendent, Robert Crabtree, asked me to do him a favor and pray about a church that was open in Bowling Green. I said OK.
On Sunday, August 14 in the evening service, Pastor James Allen was elected as senior pastor of Dayspring.
On October 2, 1988, he preached his first official sermon as Dayspring Assembly of God’s second Senior Pastor. The congregation warmly greeted Pastor Allen, his wife Debbie, and their children.
In the spring of 1991, Dayspring had an intense desire for revival. Pastor Allen told the congregation, “The greatest sign of revival is a revival of holiness among Christians. It is a renewed burden for souls, a deepening dissatisfaction with the status quo, and a desire to draw closer to the Savior.” God was moving by His Spirit, refreshing, and reviving the congregation. We pursued His presence as we were hungry for more of Him.
As Dayspring grew spiritually and numerically, there was a need for a larger place for the congregation to worship. On October 18, 1992, Dayspring voted to build a new 1,000 seat sanctuary. Ground breaking was held on April 4, 1993, and on April 3, 1994 (Easter Sunday) the resurrection was celebrated by the Dayspring family with their first service in the new sanctuary!
As Dayspring looked to the future, they desired to purchase the 80 acres of land that surrounded the current property to fulfill the vision God had given them. Ed Fletcher would visit the owner every year to see if the church could buy more ground. The answer was continually “no”. The owner did not want to sell. In 2002, the land was sold in a farm auction after the owner’s death. After many years of prayer, Dayspring was able to purchase the approximately 80 acre plot.
In the spring of 1991, Dayspring had an intense desire for revival. Pastor Allen told the congregation, “The greatest sign of revival is a revival of holiness among Christians. It is a renewed burden for souls, a deepening dissatisfaction with the status quo, and a desire to draw closer to the Savior.” God was moving by His Spirit, refreshing, and reviving the congregation. We pursued His presence as we were hungry for more of Him.
As Dayspring grew spiritually and numerically, there was a need for a larger place for the congregation to worship. On October 18, 1992, Dayspring voted to build a new 1,000 seat sanctuary. Ground breaking was held on April 4, 1993, and on April 3, 1994 (Easter Sunday) the resurrection was celebrated by the Dayspring family with their first service in the new sanctuary!
As Dayspring looked to the future, they desired to purchase the 80 acres of land that surrounded the current property to fulfill the vision God had given them. Ed Fletcher would visit the owner every year to see if the church could buy more ground. The answer was continually “no”. The owner did not want to sell. In 2002, the land was sold in a farm auction after the owner’s death. After many years of prayer, Dayspring was able to purchase the approximately 80 acre plot.
Where we are headed...
On Sunday, November 10, 2019 the board of ministry presented Pastor Cody Winkler was elected as Dayspring’s pastor. On January 5, 2020 Pastor Cody preached his first sermons as the senior pastor of Dayspring Church. The congregation warmly welcomed Pastor Cody, his wife Deborah, and their four children.
With a vision for the future by the power of the Holy Spirit Dayspring is going to see Northwest Ohio spiritually transformed by the gospel message of Jesus Christ. With prayer as our foundation we are still passionately committed to help hurting people find healing.
With a vision for the future by the power of the Holy Spirit Dayspring is going to see Northwest Ohio spiritually transformed by the gospel message of Jesus Christ. With prayer as our foundation we are still passionately committed to help hurting people find healing.
