About Us
Who We Are
Church of the Holy Spirit is an independent congregation of believers focused on the development of disciples who make other disciples. It is our desire to welcome you and your family into our fellowship of believers.
We are non-denominational, meaning we welcome all those who desire to simply worship in Spirit and in Truth. It matters not your age, your gender, your attire, your Biblical knowledge or lack thereof. Come as you are!
Learn, grow, and come to know Christ in a real way. We desire to share the love of Jesus Christ and the truth of the gospel that will set YOU free!
Our History
CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Since 1982
Celebrating 40 Years
Founders Rev. Dean and Jane Smith
The Church of the Holy Spirit had its beginning when a group of like-minded people were seeking to have everything the Lord had for them. They had a hunger to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit although many of them had been told it was just over-emotionalism. Rev. Dean Smith, after years of schooling and twenty-five years of successful ministry, knew that hunger himself until he received the Baptism in which they spoke, so he understood the importance of it. After much prayer he canceled personal plans and accepted the leadership position for the new ministry being formed that was to become known as The Church of the Holy Spirit.
The ministry was established to proclaim, “JESUS IS LORD” and the scripture given for it was to be “…no man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (KJV – 1 Corinthians 12:4) The purpose to which the ministry was called was to be teaching, preaching, and healing the sick. The first service was held on July 4,1982 in the auditorium of Turner Junior High School in Warren, Ohio.
The church continued to meet at the school for almost two years. Each week the auditorium and several classrooms were rented to be used for the children. Then, because of scheduling conflicts with the school, a decision was made to relocate to another building. The building that was chosen was the former Metropolitan Insurance office on North Park Avenue in Warren. It was empty and available. Everyone did what they could do to help and within one month the building was remodeled into a spacious sanctuary and other needed rooms. A new organ and a new baby grand piano was provided as gifts to the church. Orders for new furniture and other items which should have taken weeks arrived in days. It was unbelievable! The church was ready for the morning service on Easter Sunday 1984.
In the summer of 1987, after three years of paying rent, a decision was made to purchase a building for the church. A vacant building at 1996 Coit Drive, NW in Warren, built in 1982 for use as a day care center, was chosen for the new location. Once again, the people of the church came together in agreement to make it possible both financially and physically. The first worship service was held there on November 1, 1987. Services continue to be held there.
The church has ministered to the local people since its beginning and has sent out missionaries to foreign countries. It has also welcomed missionaries coming from other countries. The mortgage was paid off early in August 2002.
Pastors:
Rev. W. Dean Smith
July 1982 ~ November 2008
Pastor Woody Cavender
(Associate Pastor)
October 28, 1984 ~ Fall of 1985
Dr. Charles H. Davis
November 2008 ~ January 2013
Pastor James David Holbrook
January 2013 ~ October 2019
Pastor William (Skip) Wiley
December 2020 ~ Present
Our Pastor
Pastor Skip and Donna Wiley
Church of the Holy Spirit
12-20-2020 – Present
My wife Donna and I have been born-again Christians since 1972. We’ve both been in service to the Lord from the very beginning in various churches and involved in various ministries. We are committed to serving in the local church as the scripture in Hebrews 10:25 says not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. We have been involved in study groups, bible studies and have been supportive of the local church wherever we attend. We are very committed to building the church, the family unit, the people, and serving our communities.
Since becoming a born-again Christian since day one. God and the bible tell us that we must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Since the beginning God has been working in our lives together and separate as well. We will all stand before God alone and give an accounting for our own personal life.
Looking back at my life and Donna’s life, I see that God has been working in us and through us. We both have strengths and weaknesses, and God is blending us together. God has been preparing us both for a life in ministry, even though we don’t always see or know His perfect plan and how it would unfold in our lives.
As a pastor of the Church of the Holy Spirit, I now see how God was preparing us (me and Donna) for the work of ministry, through service, obedience, and having a heart to go where He would lead us to go. I was not looking to be Pastor of a church, I wanted to serve God in whatever capacity he had for us. I’ve always said to God that I was available to do what He wanted me to do. I have always been available to serve no matter where I was at in my travels. I thank God for the talents and abilities that has been given to me. I will always use what talents I must to give God the glory.
In my life as a born-again Christian, I have had the extreme pleasure to serve in a varied field of ministries. Some areas of ministry include Children’s ministry, bible studies (youth – adults), home groups, Intercessory prayer, prison ministry, and ministering in various churches, here and Canada, and a gift of helps and wherever the need.
On the 31st day of August 2018 I was set apart and called to Minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Warren Revival Center in Leavittsburg OH. By Rev. Tom Holbrook.
In Dec. 2019 we were asked to come and help as supply Pastor at the Church of the Holy Spirit by Jane Smith. After meeting with Jane and several conversations, we agreed to come and do 2 services a month for 3 months.
At the end of that 3-month period they still hadn’t filled that position and we agreed to continue to assist them. In Dec. 6th of 2020 I was unanimously voted in by the board members and members of the congregation to be the new Pastor of the church. We thank God for this great opportunity to serve such a great group of men and women.
-Pastor Skip and Donna Wiley
My Testimony
I have been born again Christian for approximately 50 years. At an early age before becoming a Christian. I found myself wondering what life was all about. I didn’t know who I was, why I existed and what life was all about. I felt lost and hopeless. Nothing I did seemed to fulfill me or bring peace in my life. I tried many things to fill the emptiness I felt inside. Alcohol, relationships, money, hobbies, and friendships, only to come up unsatisfied and still not finding what I was looking for. Then one day at work in the auto industry where my job as an absentee relief person. I was working next to a person that I didn’t know at the time and noticed something very different about him. He was very quiet, very peaceful, and I could see he was different than all those I worked with. After starting a conversation with him, I realized that he was a born-again Christian. I then realized why he was not like anybody that I had talked to before. After watching him for a couple of days. I saw something in him and the peace that he had, and I didn’t have that in my life. I knew then that I had to find out more about what made him so peaceful. He began to share with me his story and it all made perfect sense to me, even though I didn’t understand it all. After inviting me to church, I was still not sure that this life was for me, even though I was very attracted to what was being spoken to me. After much though I finally agreed to go to church with him. On that Sunday morning in Oct. of 1972, I heard the word of God preached in a real way. That Sunday I went forward and received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. At that moment my life began to change, and I knew that God and Jesus were not just up there in heaven and me on earth. Jesus was now living within my heart, and I had a personal encounter with the Jesus the Son of God. Now I know that I’m truly born-again and have the peace of God living in me.
- Pastor Skip Wiley
Church Leadership
Worship Leaders:
Bruce Cooper
Has been a member of the Worship team since 1982, serving as percussionist, soloist, Worship leader & guitarist. He attended the Dana School of Music at YSU as a percussion major where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education.
Debbie Cooper
Has served on the Worship team as choir director, soloist, playing the French horn & keyboard. She attended the Dana School of Music at YSU as a French horn major where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education.
Children’s Ministry:
Debbie Cooper
Is currently the head of the Christian Education department and has taught Sunday School for over 25 years, Kindergarten through Senior high school students.
Church Secretary-Treasurer:
Carole J. Love
Carole a member of the Church since 2001
Carole has served as secretary-treasurer since 2010 and is a real asset to the church in everything she does.
Board Members:
Bruce Cooper
Joan Alli
Jane Smith
William C Wiley
Pastor and CEO
Children's Church
Led by Mrs. Debbie Cooper, our Children's Church Program ministers unto the needs of the church of today...our kids.
Ministering to the children is one of the most important aspects of church life. They are the future of the church, its growth, and its life.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus put the importance of children into perspective when He said this:
Matthew 19:13-15 (MEV)
"13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and prayed. But the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them. For to such belongs to the kingdom of heaven.” 15 He laid His hands on them and departed from there. When Jesus laid His hand upon them, I believe he prayed for their well being and His protection on them. Let us follow His example always as we continue to reach our children with the gospel of Jesus Christ."
Tuesday Night Bible Study
Tuesday Night Bible Study has been cancelled until further notice.