Full Gospel Tabernacle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Tabernacle | |
|---|---|
 The Tabernacle | |
| 42°47′54″N 78°44′58″W / 42.79833°N 78.74944°W | |
| Location | Orchard Park, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Pentecostal |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Founder | Rev. Jack Risner |
| Clergy | |
| Senior pastor | Robert Stearns Tommy Reid |
| Pastor | Douglas Reed |
Full Gospel Tabernacle, commonly known as The Tab, is a church in Orchard Park, New York. Founded in 1936 in South Buffalo as the South Buffalo Tabernacle, it moved to Orchard Park in 1967.[1] The church became nationally known during the pastorate of Tommy Reid, whose 1979 book The Exploding Church centered on the congregation.[2] It is currently led by Robert Stearns.[3]
The church began in 1936 as the South Buffalo Tabernacle, an Assemblies of God-affiliated congregation.[1] According to an Erie County Legislature proclamation issued for the church's 85th anniversary, the congregation entered a new phase in 1963 with the arrival of Tommy Reid, moved to Orchard Park in 1967, and grew significantly after charismatic prayer meetings that began in 1969.[1]
By 1987, The Washington Post described Reid as the pastor of an 11,000-member church in Buffalo, reflecting the congregation's prominence in Pentecostal and charismatic circles.[4] Reid's book The Exploding Church, published in 1979, was cataloged by the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center as a work about the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Orchard Park.[2]
The church's website identifies it as The Tabernacle of Orchard Park and uses the shorter name The Tab.[5]
Leadership and public profile
Under Tommy Reid, Full Gospel Tabernacle became one of the best-known charismatic churches in Western New York and developed a national profile within Pentecostalism.[4] Under Robert Stearns, the church has remained publicly visible in part because of his concurrent leadership of Eagle's Wings Ministries, a pro-Israel Christian organization.[6]