Welcome to Highway Assembly of God
Highway Assembly of God is a vibrant church in Fredericksburg, VA, dedicated to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We strive to disciple believers and serve our community, embodying love and hope. Join us in our mission to reach the lost and nurture faith through worship, fellowship, and outreach activities.
Our Beginning
Highway Assembly of God began in the early fifties as a home missions church of the Potomac District. Rev. John Bryant and Rev. Eugene Wolfe were among several commuting ministers who held meetings in a small, one-room “portable tabernacle” on Claiborne Ave. in Chatham Heights.
In the 1955, Rev. Bob and Ruth Revell assumed the pastorate of the small church. After meeting in the portable tabernacle for several years, the church sold the Chatham property for $4,000 and purchased the old Falmouth Baptist Church building on the Rt. 1 highway just across the Falmouth Bridge for the astronomical sum of $10,000. There for over nine years, Pastor Bob and Ruth lived in an apartment built in the back of the church. These rooms, including bedrooms, also served as Sunday School rooms, fellowship hall, or whatever. Later, the Revells were able to build a house on a small lot “next door” that also served for Sunday School space and a fellowship hall. It also provided some parking.
In the early 1970s, the church began the long process of purchasing the current property adjacent to Jefferson Davis Highway, and designing a new facility. After fruitlessly looking for a contractor who could build within the church’s financial means, the congregation decided to take on the task themselves. Blessed with expertise, craftsmanship, and equipment that God provided – including an assistant pastor who was first class mason, a director of youth who was a plumber, and some people who were not afraid of holes or heights – the congregation was able to move into the fellowship hall in July 1979 and then into the sanctuary on Easter of 1980.
Pastor and Ruth Revell retired in October 1989, and were followed by Rev. Orville and Lucille Thomas. Rev. Tom and Anna Godfrey became our pastors in the Fall of 1994 and were succeeded by Rev. Derel and Diane Peterson in April 1997. After Pastor Peterson resigned in late spring of 1999, Rev. Dick and Catherine Jackson became the church’s pastors in June 1999. Pastor Dick had been a part of Highway Assembly of God since 1980, when he first moved to Fredericksburg. Our current pastor Mike McDonald has been on staff at our church for over 20 years, and became our lead pastor in 2019.
Heritage
Looking at the facilities that house the congregation and ministries of Highway, it is obvious that the church is built on a foundation of great vision and faith. The name Highway was chosen from Isaiah 35:8 which indicates that this church is for everyone who is traveling on this “Highway of Holiness.” Our golden text, 2 Corinthians 4:5 “For we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake,” reminds us that everything that we do is centered in Jesus Christ, and He is the Way by which we are able to walk this “Highway of Holiness.” As servants of God, one another, and the unsaved, we minister Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The old Falmouth Baptist Church on the Rt. 1 highway served as Highway's home until 1979.
Highway Assembly of God's current facility.
What We Believe
Highway Assembly of God is affiliated with the General Council of the Assemblies of God, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. As a member of that denomination, we adhere to the nonnegotiable tenets of faith outlined below, derived from the Assemblies of God official Statement of Fundamental Truths.
1. WE BELIEVE...The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.
2. WE BELIEVE...There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).
3. WE BELIEVE...In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine.
4. WE BELIEVE...though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.
5. WE BELIEVE...Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through 'Salvation' (trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal Savior). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
6. WE BELIEVE...and practice two ordinances—(1) Water Baptism by Immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.
7. WE BELIEVE...the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
8. WE BELIEVE... The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.
9. WE BELIEVE...Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
10. WE BELIEVE...The Church has a Mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.
11. WE BELIEVE...A Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry Serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church and to meet human need with ministries of love and compassion.
12. WE BELIEVE...Divine Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
13. WE BELIEVE...in The Blessed Hope—When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
14. WE BELIEVE...in The Millennial Reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
15. WE BELIEVE...A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.
16. WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. 'And so shall we forever be with the Lord!'