Our Story

In 1939, Mary Carnes, Vava Walker, and Doris Hanson began teaching a daily Bible school under the direction of Pastors V. I. Galbraith and C. C. Hutchcroft, who each served for three years. After three weeks, Carnes, Walker, and Hanson were invited to stay. Their willingness to serve helped establish a ministry that would continue touching lives for generations.

In 1949, Pastor Leonard Phillip applied for affiliation with the Assemblies of God. The congregation was accepted that same year, beginning a lasting relationship with a worldwide Pentecostal fellowship committed to Scripture, the work of the Holy Spirit, missions, and the Great Commission. Pastor Phillip served for three years, followed by Pastor Norman Hanson for four years and Pastor Robert Teeter for one year.

In 1962, the church property was deeded from the trustees of Ignite Church Community Church to the Assemblies of God under Pastor E. J. Torgerson, who served for six years. Wally Root and Richard Caddy also each served the congregation for one year during this period.

From 1964 through the following years, many pastors helped build the church and care for the people of Ignite Church. Pastor Myrl Decker served for seven years. A pastor identified in church records as Latson served for one year, followed by Paul Tappero for four years, Bill Sanford for one year, Al Hawley for one year, Dave Schlewitz for two years, Marty Engebretsen for two years, and Javan Haines for four years.

In 1989, a major remodel began under Pastor John Bush, who served for two years. Pastor Kim Kruger followed and served for 21 years, providing a long season of faithful and stable leadership.

Pastor Daniel Sabo began serving in 2013, followed by Pastor Chris Hinkle in 2015. When God later led Pastor Chris Hinkle and his wife into a new season of ministry, Pastor Doug Hinkle came out of retirement and served the congregation for a year and a half.

Ignite Church has always been more than a Sunday gathering. Through changing seasons, the church has remained a place of worship, refuge, friendship, practical help, and hope for East Grays Harbor.

Missions has long been part of Ignite Church’s identity. Today, the church supports more than 40 missionaries and ministry partners serving in the United States and around the world, including Assemblies of God and independent missionaries, Young Life, YWAM, and workers serving in sensitive areas. We want to stand with people who answer God’s call with the words of Isaiah: “Here am I. Send me.”

The church also helped support the development of a ministry in Moses Lake. In 2025, that campus became independent and merged with the Assemblies of God congregation from Warden, Washington. Together they became Life 3:16 Church—a new chapter growing from the faith and generosity of those who helped make the ministry possible.

After an extended pastoral search, Pastor Ricky Guadarrama Jr. and his family answered the call to serve Ignite Church. For more than four and a half years, they have helped lead the church with a strong commitment to Jesus, Scripture, discipleship, families, missions, and honest biblical teaching.

Now, Ignite Church is preparing for a new chapter as Ignite Church AG. This relaunch is not an attempt to leave our history behind. It is a commitment to carry forward the faith, sacrifice, love for Scripture, heart for missions, and devotion to this community that have marked the church since 1939.

The name is changing, but the God who has sustained this church has not changed.

For some, this has been a lifelong church home. For others, it has been a place of refuge, healing, friendship, or a fresh beginning. Whatever first brings someone through our doors, we desire that they encounter Jesus, discover genuine faith, find a place to belong, and join us in serving others.

As we remember the people, prayers, sacrifices, celebrations, and challenges that shaped this congregation, we give thanks to God. He has provided, guided, restored, and transformed lives through this church since 1939—and we believe He is still writing the story.