The History of Lifesprings Press (The Advocate Press)

LifeSprings Resources was originally established in 1919 as a division of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Inc. (IPHC). Rev. George Floyd Taylor founded the publishing house to provide print materials for the denomination, which included a magazine and a line of Sunday School curriculum.

In 1959 the Pentecostal Holiness Church realized that a larger, more accommodating facility was needed to house the publishing arm of the Church. From the small brick building constructed in 1919 on the campus of Emmanuel College (now Nash Prayer Chapel), in 1949 the publishing facility moved to the larger stone structure on Taylor Street that had been originally built for the students of Franklin Springs Institute in 1923. For 10 years the operation of The Publishing House of the Pentecostal Holiness Church centered in the old college building, until the limitations of the operation were obvious. At that time, plans to construct a newer, more visible printing facility began.

In 1959 Reverend Dallas M. Tarkenton, Sr., was asked by the Board of Publications of the Pentecostal Holiness Church to assume the duties of editor in chief and general administrator of the Publishing House. He, along with Reverend W. W. Carter, chairman of the Board of Publications, investigated the possibility of purchasing additional land in Franklin Springs and subsequently bought for the Pentecostal Holiness Church 112 acres, part of which bordered Highway 29, for $25,000. Five acres of the property facing Highway 29 were selected for the site of the new publishing house; funds were borrowed to build the first stage, and the building was completed in 1959. With a new location the publishing house also received a new name, Advocate Press.

When Dallas Tarkenton resigned his position as general administrator of Advocate Press in 1961, Charles E. Bradshaw was asked to head the operation. He immediately began to make improvements to the buildings, and, with the vote of the Pentecostal Holiness Church, to locate the general headquarters in Franklin Springs. A large wing was added to the building to accommodate the offices for the Bishop and other general officials.

Charles Bradshaw first served as general administrator from 1961 to 1973. Walter Poff assumed that position from 1973 to 1977, when the Pentecostal Holiness Church asked Mr. Bradshaw to return for a second time. He did so and served from 1977 to 1991. During that time, the building was once again expanded with the addition of the warehouse on the back and the United States Post Office addition on the side.

In 1991 Greg Hearn was selected as general administrator. In 1994 the Board of Publications of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church voted to change the name of the official printing operation from Advocate Press to LifeSprings Resources.

In 2003, LifeSprings formed a Video and Media Department, producing network television programming for the Inspiration Network, a program entitled “Faith Café.”

In 2009, LifeSprings entered the on-demand digital printing space with the purchase of a full color digital press revolutionizing our print capacity.

In 2011 the firm built a studio and soundstage complex to host its growing demand for video production.

In 2013 LifeSprings was acquired by Community Services Group, Inc. (formerly Ty Cobb Healthcare System).

Today, LifeSprings operates as:

• LifeSprings Christian Resources – Committed to providing innovative Christian resources.
• LifeSprings Media – Meeting the communication needs of our customers through digital, print, video, and design.
• Jagged Rock Media – Providing creative direction, studio production, and thoughtful marketing solutions.

 

*Special thanks to Kristi Cain for the history and the photo of the Nash Building and current Lifesprings building.