HISTORY OF APOSTOLIC BIBLE CHURCH
Part 1
The history of Apostolic Bible Church is rich in Christian sacrifice, determination, and a wonderful family heritage. This history began with Rev. Kenneth E. Bolinger. The year of 1954 made a profound impact on the life of Bro. Bolinger, his wife and family. Although they lived in Salem, Illinois, and were charter members of that church, a great change took place in their lives. Both Bro. Bolinger and his wife, Jewel, felt led of the Lord to open a new church in Lansing, Michigan – a city they had never even visited.
They had written letters of intent to Rev. C. C. Kirby, then Michigan District Superintendent, and Rev. Herbert Starr, pastor of Eastside Apostolic Church of Lansing, sharing with them their burden for the city of Lansing. Both Bro. Kirby and Bro. Starr sent letters of welcome, which were received by Bro. and Sis. Bolinger with much appreciation.
The Bolingers, along with their nine children (two more children would be born in Lansing), left Salem to come and begin a new adventure in the harvest field of Lansing. Upon their arrival, they began to faithfully attend Eastside Apostolic Church through 1955. Their evenings were filled with singing and worship in the family room of their home. It was during this time that Kenneth and Jewel taught their children four part harmony and various musical instruments.
Bro. Bolinger purchased a new home in the northwest part of Lansing, just a few blocks from Capital City Airport. It was in this home, in about January of 1956, that services first began to be held. The Bolingers continued to reach out to their own children, as well as many visitors who came with a great need of God in their lives.
Bro. Bolinger heard about the Odd Fellows Hall on North Grand River in North Lansing and rented the second story room for a considerable period of time. It was a trying and difficult time in their lives. Financially, they had to bear the burden alone, much of the time. Sunday mornings, the family would rise early and make their way to the hall to clean up from the events of the previous Saturday night. But when service began, that room in the old hall became a “House of God” – an “Upper Room Sanctuary”!
One day in the fall of 1959, while on a drive through the country, the Bolingers found an undeveloped twenty acre piece of land between Park Lake and Bath. After purchasing the property, Bro. Bolinger took his young men and began to clear the property. He then bought a one hundred foot long barracks building from the MSU campus, and moved it to the location.
He led the boys in the building process while working full time on his job. He may have gotten weary and frustrated at times, because his goal to build a church for the glory of God seemed to face setback after setback. Yet in all this time, the Bolingers never neglected worship services and devotions with their family. They were a holy and praying people.
In 1960, the Bolingers began holding services at home in this rural location.
In 1964, the church purchased a building at the corner of US Highway 27 North and State Road. They remodeled the building and services began. In 1966, a house next to the church was purchased for Sunday school classrooms. The Lord blessed and souls were added to the church.
In the fall of 1969, the Bolingers left Lansing and moved to Murfreesboro, Illinois, where they opened a new church. During this time, Rev. and Mrs. Neil Bolinger became the pastor of Apostolic Bible Church and were in Lansing until the spring of 1970.
Rev. and Mrs. Ron Hackworth were chosen as pastor in June of 1970. A short time later, Rev. and Mrs. George Helmuth moved to Lansing and served as Associate Pastor. In the fall of 1971, the church building at the corner of U S Highway 27 and State Road became too small and was sold. A church building was purchased at the corner of West Kalamazoo and Clement, in northwest Lansing. Bro. Hackworth led the church as pastor until his resignation in the fall of 1972, at which time the church requested that Rev. and Mrs. Kenneth Bolinger return. After much prayer and seeking the will of God, they agreed to return.
During the 1970s, there were truly apostolic works of the Lord in many services. As a result, the church experienced much growth. Pastor Kenneth Bolinger envisioned the need for a larger auditorium as well as additional and more adequate classrooms. Without telling anyone, he began to make preliminary plans for a building addition. In 1979, the church moved forward with these plans.
Through the dedicated efforts and many sacrifices of the people, the addition was completed in approximately five years. On August 24, 1984, Apostolic Bible Church opened its doors to a Section Three rally. The church was highly honored by those who attended that day and the wonderful words of support from the ministers and friends who were there. But above and beyond those who were there, was the Lord, who crowned our worship with His presence and anointing!
Rev. Kenneth and Jewel Bolinger were a God-fearing, praying and holy people, who were devoted to their family, church and community. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to this beautiful couple for the many sacrifices they made, which enabled the church to begin and exist today. Their legacy of truth at Apostolic Bible Church will continue to live on throughout the years – until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Part 2
After serving God 17 years in North Dakota starting two churches, one in Minot, North Dakota and one in Williston, North Dakota, Rev. and Mrs. Charles Bolinger felt the call of God to return to Apostolic Bible Church. The long process began of packing, moving and becoming pastor to some of the greatest people on earth. July 20, 1986 was their first service, and it began 19 years and 3 months of a wonderful time of serving God and Apostolic Bible Church.
After one month of settling in, they began the remodeling of the old building. The new church was beautiful and they wanted the old addition to complement the new. The drywall, texturing, new lights, paint and carpet in both the basement and fellowship hall was completed. Next, a new parking lot light and church sign were installed.
Mission offerings and the scheduling of Missionaries were continued. Christmas for Christ offerings and Sheaves for Christ offerings were also continued as blessings to the work of God worldwide.
The church showed concern and care for the needy individuals and families, realizing that need is not just for the spiritual, but also for the physical.
By August of 1987, time had come to finish the kitchen. Lights, stove, sink, cupboards and flooring were all installed. The big fundraiser of every year for Apostolic Bible Church has always been peanut brittle. With the finishing of the kitchen, they were able to go ahead with their fundraising.
Upon the Bolingers arrival in 1986, Rev. Duane Bolinger was already Assistant Pastor and his wife, Nancy, was Ladies Leader. They were also in charge of the Music Ministry at Apostolic Bible Church. They continued until the call of God came to them in 1993 to go to Des Moines, Iowa, to be Assistant Pastor there. They were greatly missed.
Helping to bring the message of salvation to the Lansing area according to Acts 2:38 has always been at the forefront of Apostolic Bible Church’s vision. To help the Pastor and members accomplish this goal, many revivals, kid’s crusades, Vacation Bible Schools and Christmas programs were held. Men’s fellowships and ladies meetings were held. As a result, many people were baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost.
In the early 90’s, the ministries of the church took a new direction. Deaf ministry was a very important part of the church, with different individuals helping with a deaf revival, interpreting, signing classes, and a nationwide deaf camp. They also had the opportunity to minister to different nationalities, including Liberians, Ghanaians, Tanzanians, and Hmong. All were a blessing and asset to Apostolic Bible Church and increased their knowledge of worldwide missions.
Youth and children were ministered to as they participated in both Junior and Senior Bible Quizzing, taking several awards nationally. Youth services and revivals were very beneficial in the growth of individuals.
In July 1994, the church celebrated the mortgage burning service, thanks to an unselfish donation.
The year of 2001 was an important year in the history of Apostolic Bible Church. That was the year that Rev. and Mrs. Kent Bolinger became the Assistant Pastor. Sis. Amy Bolinger became active in the music, choir directing, banquet and party entertainment, and Bro. Kent Bolinger fulfilled a very important role assisting the pastor.
Maintenance on any building, as always, is an ongoing process. Rev. Kent Bolinger arrived at the same time that a flood occurred in the church basement, requiring a complete renovation. He, along with others, was able to complete this big project.
By 2003, it was time for a facelift for the outside of the church. As with everything they had done for Apostolic Bible Church, Bro. and Sis. Charles Bolinger took great care in the oversight of this project. The neighbors said that the lights had been turned on in the neighborhood with the fresh, new paint job!
Upon the resignation of Rev. Charles Bolinger on October 22, 2005, due to advanced Parkinson’s disease, the congregation chose Rev. and Mrs. Kent Bolinger to become their new pastor.
Thankfully, their resignation from pastoral ministry did not mean a total resignation from ministry. Apostolic Bible Church is privileged to have this wonderful couple still very active and involved in various ministries throughout the church. Their burden for lost souls and desire to see revival continues to be evident in everything they do for God. Like the generation before them, Bro. and Sis. Charles Bolinger are God-fearing, prayerful and holy. Only eternity will tell of the outstanding and lasting influence of this precious couple. They serve their Lord with gladness and excellence. Apostolic Bible Church is blessed to have them.
