A church in the middle of the Pacific

While pastoring in Quincy, Massachusetts, the General Council Missionary Director, Noel Perkin, requested for the Vincents to go to Honolulu to pioneer a church. A few days after arriving, the Vincents were introduced to Brother and Sister Woodrow Yasuhara, who were at that time attending a Holiness Church.

On February 23, 1947, the first service was held in the old Lincoln School auditorium across from Thomas Square. Eventually, an empty lot at the corner of Lunalilo Street and Victoria Street was purchased. Services were held in the open air under a canopy on the front lawn of the lot.

A business man (at that time), Mr. Frank Fasi, was donating ten 20'x52' quonset huts to worthy organizations. The Vincents applied and received one, moving it onto the property in April, 1948. For the next few months, services were held in the small quonset. Then in June, it became necessary to move into the church building even though it was not completed.

The first Island-wide Convention on the Assemblies of God in Hawaii was held at Honolulu's First Assembly of God in May, 1950, at which time the new church building was dedicated on Sunday afternoon, May 21, with Brother Noel Perkin as speaker.

During Pastor Sturgeon's tenure, there was a need for dressing up the old church building. The congregation worked together, cleaning out the basement and re-decorating the main auditorium.

The building program of the high-rise apartment on the rear of the church property was a much-planned program, which was finally accomplished by a miracle. The members of the church who had so faithfully supported the Lord's program over the years were given the first opportunity and priority in price to purchase these apartments, which was quickly taken advantage of.

The Sassers arrived in Honolulu to take up the pastorate in February of 1973. Responding to an invitation to come and pastor First Assembly found them immediately involved in the building of a high-rise condominium and increase parking facilities adjacent to church property. Renovation of the church and the building of additional educational facilities also were accomplished during the four years of Pastor Sasser's tenure.

The church grew spiritually and in numbers during this time, and with extended hands, opened their doors to the Samoan and Korean community to hold services. The “Golden Fellowship” was formed under the direction of Pastor Henry Kahalehili. Daily radio programs on KAIM with Pastor Sasser blessed the community with good teaching from the Word of God.