Silverton Assembly of God sits on a quiet block of James Street in Silverton, Oregon, where the congregation describes itself as people who live by faith, are known by love, and serve as a voice of hope to their community. Pastors Doug and Dar Marks have led the church since 2013 and have shaped a Pentecostal congregation that places a strong emphasis on family ministry, the creative arts, and outreach through national partners.
Sundays at 10:30 on James Street
The Sunday gathering begins at 10:30 a.m. at 437 James Street, and nursery care alongside Kid's Church runs at the same time so that parents can worship without juggling little ones. Visitors who cannot make the drive can join the service two ways: the gathering is livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, and the audio also goes out on local radio at FM 87.9. The church encourages those catching up later to revisit past services in the Our Gatherings tab of its site.
A Pastoral Team Built on Long Service
Lead Pastors Doug and Dar Marks have been serving Silverton Assembly since 2013. Doug is a native Oregonian who has been in ministry since 1977, including pastorates in California and Oregon, and years of travel as a guest speaker across the United States. He enjoys motorcycling, watersports, and connecting with people, while Dar's passions are ministering and gardening. Married for 42 years, the Marks have two adult children, Sterling and Desirae, both married.
Alongside them, Jacob Looper serves as Minister of Media Ministries. A singer, songwriter, saxophonist, pianist, music teacher, actor, videographer, photographer, and drone pilot, Jacob has been involved in church music since the mid-1980s and was awarded the Key to the City of Redmond, Oregon in 1998 for sharing his musical gifts. He also leads the Oregon Fine Arts Festival and serves as a music evaluator for the National Fine Arts Festival.
Nursery, Kid's Church, and Relentless Youth
The children's wing of the church is split across three age groups. Nursery care is offered every Sunday morning during the 10:30 service for the littlest ones. Kid's Church meets at 10:30 a.m. and is anchored by the memory verse 1 Timothy 4:12 ("Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.").
Middle and high school students belong to Relentless Youth, led by Robert and Rena Wagner. The group raises money for its own activities by collecting cans and bottles: members can drop their returns under the stairs by the kitchen and fellowship hall on Sundays using the blue donation bags available at church, or direct their Bottle Drop account to the youth online.
Fine Arts as a Whole-Church Culture
Silverton Assembly treats the arts as a core ministry rather than a side program. The Fine Arts ministry spans the Worship Team, Sound, Media, Video and Livestream, and Special Events and Holidays, and during the week the building is often filled with youth and college students practicing and teaching their skills. Each spring the church sends students to the Oregon Fine Arts and Ministry Conference in Salem, where they build skills, meet other young creatives, and can earn a path to the National Fine Arts Festival. Romans 11:29 - "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" - is the banner verse above the program.
Women's Ministry, Men's Ministry, and Financial Peace
The Women's Ministry hosts evening events and an annual ladies' trip, including outings to local nurseries with a sign-up sheet on the church bulletin board. A Men's Ministry meets under the same banner for the men of the congregation. For couples and individuals who want practical help with money, the church runs Financial Peace University at different points through the year, using the proven plan to pay off debt and save more for the future.
Becoming a Member: Membership 101
Anyone curious about making Silverton Assembly their church home can take Membership 101, a four-part class that walks through what the church believes and what membership involves. Interested participants are asked to leave a comment on the class page, and a staff pastor follows up with the handouts and next steps.
Giving and Global Partnerships
Silverton Assembly offers three ways to give: dropping tithes and offerings at the church throughout the week, mailing them to PO Box 323, Silverton, Oregon 97381, or using the church's online giving portal. The congregation also supports World Missions through AG World Missions and partners with Convoy of Hope for community outreach, tying local ministry in Silverton to a wider network of relief and missions work.
How to Connect
The church can be reached at 503-873-3611 or by email at Social@silvertonag.com, and prayer requests can be sent through the "How Can We Pray for You?" form on the site. Online classes, the livestream, and past services are all available through the church's online portal, so newcomers can get a feel for the gathering before stepping through the doors at 437 James Street on a Sunday morning.