At one time, attendance at Trinity Life Center in Sacramento, California, approached the 1,600 mark. Yet by the end of 2007, weekly attendance had slipped to 150 people, payables had risen to almost $250,000, and church leaders wondered how to keep the doors open.
A sanctuary that would seat 2,000 people sat almost empty on a property in deteriorating condition.
William O. Vickery, former district superintendent for the Northern California/Nevada District, taught Sunday School at the church and assumed leadership during the difficult time. At the end of 2007, Vickery talked to another former district superintendent, Glen D. Cole, about filling the pulpit in January 2008.
Having pastored Capital Christian Center in the same city for 17 years, Cole asked his son, Rick — the current pastor of that church — to make sure he didn't have any objections.
Three months into the "temporary" assignment, the Trinity Life Center Board asked Cole if he would be willing to be a senior pastoral candidate. Even at 74, Cole didn't hesitate.
In May 2008, Cole was elected with a 100 percent vote of the congregation. Average attendance now tops 800 on Sunday, all past and current bills have been paid, the parking lot has been resurfaced, the kitchen remodeled and the sanctuary is updated — without borrowing.
Missions giving has tripled in one year. More than 400 attend a Wednesday evening Bible study.
"People are responding to the invitation to give their lives to Christ," Cole says. "A water baptismal takes place once a month as converts make a public declaration of their faith."
From: Pentecostal Evangel
