First Pentecostal Church of Kilgore was started when Rev. O. S. Owens, an evangelist from Oil City, LA, came to Kilgore to pray for an ill woman who subsequently received her healing. In returning to Oil City, Kilgore rested heavily on his heart. Bro. and Sis. Owens and their five children moved to Kilgore in 1931, ready to begin holding revival meetings with their big "Gospel Tent." The great East Texas Oil Boom was thriving during this time, and there was no housing available for the Owens Family, so they stayed in an improvised structure constructed from the walls of the Gospel Tent the first night. By July 1, 1931, revival broke out in the Gospel Tent, and many lives were changed. In September 1932, the Good Eats Bakery was put up for sale and became the first building for FPC of Kilgore. In 1935, the building was moved to what is now known as Harris Street due to the beginning of construction for Kilgore College. The Owens continued to pastor, helping lead many to the Lord and holding frequent revivals. During the time they pastored, 148 people were baptized and 130 received the Holy Ghost. The revival fires had started in Kilgore.

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After getting the Kilgore church started and thriving, Bro. Owens felt the need to go start other churches, and he resigned as pastor in May 1936.  Rev. T. F. Ford had previously held revival services for Bro. Owens, and he and his family came from Haynesville, LA to pastor the Kilgore church. Arriving in June of 1936, they were able to move into a small house eagerly continue to the work started. Attendance was approximately 120 when Bro. Ford came, and as more people flocked to the little church, a larger building was soon needed. The church started to pray, and land was purchased from the King Estate on Lantrip/Fritz Swanson Street in the fall of 1936.