TurnPoint Pentecostal Church has a long, rich history in the Wisconsin Dells area. It can truly be described as an "area church." Since its founding, the church has drawn people from a large geographic area, including cities such as Wisconsin Dells, Oxford, Mauston, Montello, Baraboo, Portage, and Reedsburg. Because of the robust tourist industry, TurnPoint Pentecostal Church has a steady flow of vacationers show up at its services, especially during the summer tourist season.
Established in 1974 as Immanuel Apostolic Assembly, the church began to put down its humble roots, and for the next 17 years, held services and bible studies in many different locations as it grew. For a time, the church even operated a Christian school.
In 1991, Robert Kurz, who had served as assistant pastor since 1978, founded the Apostolic Christian Church out of the original church. This church, like the one it was birthed from, held services and bibles studies in various locations. When Pastor Kurz answered the call to the Milwaukee area in July 1992, Rev. Derrald Hilderbrand stepped in for the next 10 months until the position could be filled on a permanent basis.
Rev. Norman Decker assumed the pastorate in 1993 with Ben Thompson acting as assistant pastor. In addition to a new leadership team, the fledgling work acquired something else it desperately needed--a permanent church building. On October 20, 1993, the church purchased the former Big Springs School building located east of Wisconsin Dells. During the next five years the Apostolic Christian Church experienced a time of steady growth. Under the leadership of Pastor Decker's ministry, the church put down deep roots of spiritual growth that it still benefits from today.
In 1998, Pastor Decker retired from full-time ministry and Rev. Ben Thompson was voted in as pastor. In 2001 the church underwent a name change, becoming TurnPoint Pentecostal Church. Again, the church enjoyed spiritual growth during the seven years under Pastor Thompson's ministry until his resignation in April of 2005.
In June 2005, Rev. Edward W. Herman assumed the pastorate of TurnPoint Pentecostal Church. Pastor Herman's desire was to eventually see daughter-work churches started around the area to better serve its members and to better establish the church in their local communities. After 18 months, the Lord used a Christian business owner in Reedsburg to help convince Pastor Herman that it was time to launch out in faith. After presenting his burden to the leadership team during the 2006 Leadership Retreat, an enthusiastic and unanimous decision was made to start a daughter church in Reedsburg, helping to serve those on the west side of the Wisconsin River.
The first service in Reedsburg was held on Sunday night, January 7, 2007 in the lobby of MPS Photography. For the next four months, Sunday night services were held there until the church moved to the lower level of the Reedsburg Professional Building where it's currently located.
At this present time, TurnPoint Pentecostal Church holds Sunday morning service at the Wisconsin Dells location and Sunday evening service at the Reedsburg location. The church conducts Home Friendship Group meetings in the cities of Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells, and Mauston during the Mid-week to make it convenient for its members and to reach out to the communities they live in.
While TurnPoint Pentecostal Church has undergone a multitude of change since 1974, it has been a steady beacon of light to the surrounding communites. The church has equipped a long list of people who have since left the area, but still serve God and labor in His harvest field. It's a testament to the nearly 40 years of hard work, faithfulness, and commitment of its leadership and members. Over the years, many have come and some have gone, but the church continues on with the help of Jesus Christ to steadfastly uphold the fundamental truths of Biblical doctrine and worship in the Wisconsin Dells area.
