Assemblies of God renovates, reopens national office

The General Council of the Assemblies of God has spent the past year renovating and expanding its national office in Springfield, which included removing 80,000 square feet of curtain wall glass. 

The gray exterior was replaced with two-tone glass and a new, fully accessible lobby. 

“It’s gone from dark claustrophobic to open and clear,” said Rick Ross, general treasurer of the Assemblies of God USA, in an interview at the June 3 ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

Ross said the project included renovating 115,000 square feet of the building at 1445 N. Boonville Ave., which was constructed 65 years ago. Two elevators and another 6,600 square feet were added along with offices and conference rooms. 

“This is helping us move into an open concept, transparency,” he said. “We’ve even gone to glass offices so we have a brand new element of transparency, which reflects always our heart.” 

Amenities include a cafw, coffee shop, store and newly renovated chapel. A new covered entrance was added to the south part of the building, just north of Lyon Avenue, along with guest parking.  

The renovations included changes to make the building more accessible to members of the public who have mobility issues or rely on wheelchairs.  

Ross said the building is used by AG employees, pastors, superintendents and AG leadership.  

“We have people coming from all over the nation. It’s combined with the building next door, the World Prayer Center,” he said. “There are people coming in here daily and for tours.” 

In early 2023, the general council sold 8.86 acres of land along Campbell Avenue – and just behind the national office – to Springfield Public Schools for $8 million. 

Ross declined to disclose the total cost of the project but said in addition to the proceeds of the sale, AG has been “saving money for years.” 

“We had money stored up and we had the blessing of the stock market, which gave us excess funds in our investments and so we’ve been able to do this debt-free,” Ross said. “No money was taken from any other missions. In fact, we increased our commitments to our ministries, missionaries and the needs of our community.” 

The project was designed by Torgerson Design Partners LLC and the general contractor was Williams Construction Co. with support from RTM Engineering Consultants LLC, Smith-Goth Engineers Inc., and CJW Transportation Consultants LLC. 

Doug Clay, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, explained at the ceremony how more than 100 years ago, local business leaders helped raise the money needed to buy land so AG’s national office could be established in Springfield. 

He also thanked the local business leaders who played a role in the renovation. 

“This project reflects not only our commitment to ministry and stewardship but also the enduring relationship between the Assemblies of God and the Springfield community we have proudly called home since 1918,” he said.  

AG is a Christian denomination with 12,600 churches nationally and 450,000 churches across the globe.