Dennis Stone was born on January 29, 1959 in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

After graduating high school, the Stone family moved to Gaffney, South

Carolina where he met his wife Tonine.  During a camp meeting service on July 3,

1981, Dennis rededicated his heart to the Lord and fully surrendered his life to God's will.

Accepting the call of God on his life, Pastor Stone became a Church of God

minister and began his ministry close to home. On September 15, 1991, the

young couple along with their son Kaleb, began Abundant Life Church of God

in a clubhouse off of Highway 14 with 19 people.  Through their dedication,

the church was organized on January 5, 1992.  Within a year, the church moved

to two storefront buildings on Woodruff Road, and purchased a beautiful

parcel of land one block over from the original clubhouse location.  In 1993

a 5,000 sq ft facility was erected and in 1995 an additional 12,000 sq ft was

added, housing a 500+ seat sanctuary, children's and youth classes, and a

fellowship hall.  A 2,400 sq ft modular building was purchased and was in

use as the administrative offices.

A Station for Salvation, Healing, and Restoration became the benchmark

principles of his vision as the church began to see people of many different

backgrounds come to know Christ.  In 2001, through his dedication,

leadership, and hard work, Pastor Stone's vision grew far beyond most could

think.  A master plan was laid out to convert an 84,000 sq ft warehouse into

a central hub of a church ministry and community center in the downtown

Simpsonville area.  In 2003, the building was purchased and construction

began.  In June 2004, the Zone officially opened to its first enrollees, 32

Summer Camp children.  In December of the same year, a temporary sanctuary

was set up in one of the three gymnasiums to move the church from its Hwy

14 location to the new church building.

Now halfway through this monumental building project, God is blessing

Pastor Stone's ministry more than ever before.  The people of Abundant Life,

as well as leaders across the Golden Strip community, have a deep love and

respect for Pastor Stone. Those that know him speak of the compassion and

love that he demonstrates for all people.  He is also a man that is continually

seeking after the Lord. 

Abundant Life is also blessed to have Tonine Stone, as our honored First Lady. 

Alongside her husband, Tonine is a key leader in the church and shares the

responsibility of leading others into a greater relationship with Christ.  Tonine

also is liaison to the After School Program as well as the praise and worship

leader for worship services.   They are the proud parents of three children:  

Kaleb, a senior in college; Kameron, in twelfth grade; and Kendall, in ninth grade.