EVERYTHING BRANSON: The Grand Old Gospel Hour with Sam Stauffer

The Grand Old Gospel Hour with Sam Stauffer

Today we continued our exploration of the Branson Show Church Scene. We visited The Grand Old Gospel Hour. This service is held each Sunday at the Dick Clark Theater beginning at 10:00 a.m. The ushers did a good job greeting us at the door. Despite the fact that they got us down to the front row (which Janene and I work studiously to avoid) they were friendly and all worked out OK.

The service began promptly at 10. Praise and worship was led by a worship team Words to the songs were projected on a screen behind the praise team. The songs were a mixture of new songs and old songs. I thought that the praise team did a fairly good job and that it was better than many show churches which tend to major on performance instead of participation.

The Grand Old Gospel Hour takes prayer requests. These requests are prayed over on Wednesday evenings and purportedly are not removed from the master list unless requested. Also the The Grand Old Gospel Hour supports some mission outreaches in third world countries including India.

By 10:40 the singing, offering and special music had been completed and it was time for the preachin' to begin. The preaching is done by Sam Stauffer. Pastor Stauffer originally came from Joplin, Missouri and has a wide background including Methodist and Christian influences. He spent some time in California at Melodyland Christian Center. He described himself in his preaching as being a “bapticostal” which meant that he had some familiarity with Charismatic Baptist influences.

It is very clear from the service and the preaching that Pastor Stauffer and The Grand Old Gospel Hour are both orthodox Christian in background and theology and are ecumenical in outlook realizing that on non-essentials Christians can differ. It is also clear from the preaching that Pastor Stauffer is on a long-term personal Christian pilgrimmage. Pastor Stauffer made it clear that in his life the issue is the presence of Christ not position nor power.

My wife, Janene, rated the service as an 8 out of a max of 10. I thought this was a very positive rating so I pass it on. Pastor Stauffer had something to say and for me that is better than most.

Janene and I would recommend this church as a place to visit. You can learn more about the church by going to www.gospelhour.org. You can obtain additional information on this church by calling 417-337-8888.

And yes, Pastor Stauffer, you knew you had some words for someone special. We were those people. Congratulations, you got it right.

Below are some pictures of the church: