Harvest Land Ministries
1946-2007

Rev. & Mrs. Virgil Peter came to Pontiac from Port Huron, Michigan in 1930. They accepted the pastorate of the Perry Street Pentecostal Church. Called of the Lord to a local missionary work in 1933, they opened the Pontiac Union Rescue Mission at 40 Auburn Avenue, where they ministered to the poor and needy. Because of his failing health, Rev. Peter closed the mission. In 1946, he opened the basement of his home for church services to a remnant of the mission congregation. They called this work the Pontiac Rescue Evangelistic Center.

In 1946, Rev. & Mrs. Peter with his congregation purchased the land at the corner of Joslyn Avenue and Northfield in Pontiac, Michigan.

In 1947, when Rev. Peter’s health deteriorated, he decided to step aside, and his son, Rev. L. Fred Peter, was elected to the pastorate.

During the years of 1947 through 1953, under the leadership of Rev. Fred Peter, the church at 1517 Joslyn Avenue in Pontiac was built. On February 9, 1948, the name was changed to Calvary Assembly. Then on December 3, 1954 the church was chartered with Open Bible Standard Churches, the name was changed to First Open Bible Church of Pontiac to reflect this affiliation. Thus, the vision of Rev. & Mrs. Virgil Peter’s life was fulfilled.

The next few pastors there is not any information documented pertaining their ministry just the dates of their pastorate.

In 1949 through 1950, Rev. C. Rice served as pastor.

In 1950 through 1953, Rev. Fred Peter came back to pastor the church.

In 1953 through 1955, Rev. C. Headly served as pastor.

In 1955 through 1957, Rev. T.H. Staton served as pastor.

In 1957 through 1959, Rev. R. Staton served as pastor.

Rev. Arthur Maglott came to First Open Bible Church in Pontiac, Michigan with his wife, Mary in 1959. They were the longest of all the pastorates, 17 years. While Rev. Maglott was the pastor, there were many changes to the structure; the chapel that they worshipped in was soon too small for the congregation, so plans were made to add on a larger sanctuary, some classrooms, a prayer room, a baptismal and an office. During his pastorate, they also bought an adjoining
property to build a parsonage on Northfield. In 1976, Rev. & Mrs. Maglott decided to go onto the evangelist field part-time.

Rev. Ronald Krantz and his wife, Jeanne became the pastors in 1977. The church continued to grow and reach out to the community. Rev. Krantz was involved in remodeling the outside of the church by bricking it. He also updated the chandeliers in the main sanctuary. Because of Rev. Krantz’s health, he and his wife decided it was time to move closer to their children.

Rev. John Freeman and his wife, Mary Ann came to Pontiac in 1982. Through his ministry the church grew even more. There were some updates done to the sanctuary and the entryway of the church, both inside and out. As it neared 1991, the Freeman’s felt the Lord was calling them to move.

Rev. Burliss Parker and his wife, Dawn had served as youth pastors under Rev. John Freeman. They left for other ministry and returned as the senior pastors in 1991. During his pastorate, Rev. Parker with the congregation celebrated the 50th Anniversary of First Open Bible Church of Pontiac in 1996. All the previous pastors were invited to come and celebrate the heritage that so many had labored to accomplish. In 1998, Rev. Parker and his wife felt their work was done and decided to leave.

Rev. Bill Barrett and his wife Carmen, while on the mission field in Philippines, were contacted by Eastern Region and asked to try out for the Pontiac church. They already had a tie with this church through serving as a youth pastors under Rev. John Freeman in the early 1980’s. In 1998, they were elected as the senior pastors of First Open Bible Church in Pontiac. After several years of

ministering in Pontiac, Rev. Barrett felt lead of the Lord to change the name of the church and give the ministry a “facelift” – that is when our name changed to Harvest Land Ministries. The ministry in Pontiac was at a stand still, so through much prayer, it was brought before the congregation to sell the property on Joslyn Avenue and find property to build a new church. The property at 5848 Clintonville Road in Clarkston, Michigan was found and purchased. The property also had a parsonage on it, so the Northfield property was also sold. We are now in the process of building our new church on the property. With Rev. Barrett & his wife, Carmen we will reach out to a new community and share Jesus.

The following men & women have served as pastorate from 1946 through the present:

Rev. Virgil Peter 1946-1947 Rev. R. Staton 1957-1959
Re. Fred Peter 1947-1949 Rev. A. Maglott 1959-1976
Rev. C. Rice 1949-1950 Rev. R. Krantz 1977-1982
Rev. Fred Peter 1950-1953 Rev. J. Freeman 1982-1991
Rev. C. Headly 1953-1955 Rev. B. Parker 1991-1998
Rev. T.H. Staton 1955-1957 Rev. B. Barrett 1998-2008