PCG HISTORY

The origin of modern Pentecostalism can be traced to Bethel Bible College, founded in October 1900 by Charles Fox Parham. The school was located in Topeka, Kansas in an elaborate unfinished mansion known as “Stone’s Folly.” In his monthly publication, The Apostolic Faith, Parham announced that anyone who prayed and diligently studied the Word was welcome to attend. Since this was a “faith school,” no tuition was charged. Parham was the only instructor and the Bible the only textbook. Before leaving for a speaking engagement in Kansas City, Parham assigned the student body the task of determining from their study of Scripture, the evidence of receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. When Parham returned he was amazed to learn that the students had reached the conclusion: the indisputable proof of one receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit was speaking with other tongues.

This conclusion was of tremendous importance, for it marked the occasion when speaking in tongues was first considered to be the initial physical evidence of one being filled with the Holy Spirit.

On January 1, 1901 the first day of the 20th century, Agnes N. Ozman requested those present to lay hands on her and pray that she might receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. When this was done, she began to speak in tongues, glorifying God. According to the report she was so overwhelmed by this new experience of Pentecostal power she could not speak in the English language for three days. Miss Ozman’s baptism inspired the other students to seek for a similar experience. One of the mansion’s large upper rooms was converted into an area for prayer. The students, as well as others in the city, continued in intercessory prayer for three glorious days. Then on the night of January 3, 1901, many others, including Parham, received the mighty infilling of the Spirit.

After this glorious experience, Parham carried this Pentecostal message from Topeka, Kansas to: Kansas City, Missouri; Lawrence, Kansas; Nevada, Missouri; El Dorado Springs, Missouri; Galena, Kansas; Joplin, Missouri; and Orchard, Texas.

In the fall of 1905, Parham relocated to Houston, Texas, and started a Bible school. William J. Seymour, a black holiness preacher, attended but did not receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Miss Neely Terry from Los Angeles attended the services, received the Pentecostal experience, and suggested inviting Seymour to preach at her local mission. Seymour accepted, but his teachings on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues were rejected by the church leadership. He moved his meetings to the home of Richard and Ruth Asbury on North Bonnie Brae Street, where on April 9, 1906, a Pentecostal revival began. During a prayer meeting, Seymour and seven men experienced the Holy Spirit, causing them to speak in tongues. This event quickly drew large crowds, forcing services outside. Many people were baptized in the Holy Spirit, healed, and saved, creating a significant stir in the city.

To accommodate the growing crowds, a dilapidated two-story building at 312 Azusa Street was secured. This building, originally built for an AME church, had been used as a livery stable, storage, and tenement house. A three-year continuous revival took place there, becoming globally known. Stanley H. Frodsham’s book, "With Signs Following," describes the scene, emphasizing the lack of traditional revival elements like musical instruments and choirs, relying instead on heavenly singing and the Holy Ghost's leadership. No collections were taken, and no advertisements were made; the revival spread through word of mouth.

Travelers from far and wide visited Azusa Street, drawn by the spiritual power. The revival ran from 10 a.m. to midnight, with many receiving the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, healing, and salvation. Preaching was simple but powerful, causing people to be shaken on their benches and often leading to speaking in tongues. The revival was free from nationalistic feelings, welcoming everyone regardless of language, color, or education.

Seekers of healing were taken upstairs for prayer, and many were healed. The upstairs room was also used for Bible study and seeking Pentecostal fullness. Frank Bartleman’s book "Azusa Street" describes the humble setup, with Brother Seymour praying behind two stacked shoeboxes. The services ran continuously, filled with people seeking God’s presence, which was always felt. There were no scheduled sermons or speakers; everything was spontaneous and led by the Spirit, emphasizing equality among all attendees and the stripping away of pride and self-importance.

“We were delivered from ecclesiastical hierarchism and abuse. We wanted God. Upon arriving at the meeting, we avoided human contact to meet God first, praying under benches and connecting with others in the Spirit. Meetings began spontaneously with testimony, praise, and worship.”

The Pentecostal message from the Azusa Street revival quickly spread across America and to many foreign countries. By the summer of 1906, news reached Chicago, where John C. Sinclair reported that his church began praying for the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, inspired by the events in Los Angeles. Sinclair was the first in Chicago to receive this Baptism, leading to a Pentecostal revival in his church starting on November 19, 1906, which lasted for months.

For most of the early 20th century, aside from the Holiness-Pentecostal churches in the southeast, there was little formal organization. Many opposed organization, resulting in numerous independent Pentecostal churches emerging in storefronts, schoolhouses, and other available spaces. Their main goal was to spread the message that God was still working mightily among His people. However, with little order or control, congregations often trusted anyone claiming to be Spirit-filled, leading to exploitation by shysters. It became clear that a cooperative fellowship was necessary for the Pentecostal Revival to survive and evangelize effectively.

In the 1927 convention A. D. McClure was elected general secretary and his wife general treasurer. Since the McClures had been pastoring in Ottumwa, Iowa since 1923, they chose to retain that position. The offices were moved to Ottumwa making their continued support possible. In 1927 The Pentecostal Messenger became the official paper of the church with A. D. McClure as the editor. In addition to his local pastoral ministry (1923-1949), McClure freely served as general secretary (1927-1931), editor of the “Messenger” (1927-1933) and general moderator (1931-1933).

Some progress was experienced during the Ottumwa era. One of the major accomplishments was the organization of districts.

After G. F. C. Fons was elected moderator in 1933, the General Offices were moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Frank Lindblade served as vice-moderator (1931-1935) and general secretary (1935-1937). He had considerable authority since McClure remained in Ottumwa pastoring a growing church. The new moderator elected in the 1933 convention, as well as the general superintendent elected in 1935, chose to continue their previous ministries in addition to serving in the General Office. (G. F. C. Fons pastored in Fort Smith, Arkansas; M. D. Townsend continued to serve as district superintendent in California.)

For a short period of time in 1938 and 1939, the General Offices were located in Fort Worth, Texas. While in Kansas City, the General Offices were located in rented facilities on Troost St. and in the Schukert building. Later, for the first time in its history, the movement was able to purchase property (1101 Prospect Avenue) to house the General Headquarters.

According to The Pentecostal Messenger K. R. Camp, general secretary treasurer (1946-1955), commented concerning those years:

• “For some two years the ground floor was used as the General Office and the upper floor as living quarters for both the general superintendent and the general secretary. In the year of 1943, printing equipment was purchased and the offices moved upstairs, the lower floor being used for the printing department. It was then that we first started to print our own literature. Our printing had been farmed out before, so this was a forward step.

• “At this time, the office staff consisted of the general secretary with an elderly lady as his assistant and the printing department employed two full-time men and one part-time pressman.”

The words “of America” were added in 1934 after it was discovered that another group was operating under the name Pentecostal Church of God. The 30’s and 40’s were decades of growth, although they were punctuated with times of severe financial difficulties.

Marion D. Townsend was the first man officially titled general superintendent serving from 1935 to 1937. During this time he continued in his position as the California district superintendent. When the convention insisted that the general superintendent move to the headquarters city, Townsend chose to remain in California.

Therefore, the 1937 convention elected Harold M. Collins as general superintendent. He served capably from 1937-1942. During his term the Pentecostal Church of God began publishing Sunday school literature.

In the 1942 convention J. W. May emerged as the general superintendent. His term (1942-1947) was a time of tremendous growth. May reported that during his tenure as general superintendent, “The number of districts doubled and the churches and ministers more than doubled.”

When J. W. May resigned in 1947, H. T. Owens was elected to serve the Pentecostal Church of God as general superintendent. He served effectively from 1947 to 1949. During this time plans were made to move the General Offices to Joplin, Missouri.

M. F. Coughran served as general superintendent from 1949 to 1953, demonstrating dynamic and effective leadership. During his tenure, the General Office overcame significant financial difficulties and moved to Joplin, Missouri, in 1951. By the time Coughran resigned in 1953, nearly all the debt for the new headquarters at 1601 Maiden Lane had been eliminated.

In 1953, R. Dennis Heard became the general superintendent, serving for 22 years. Under his leadership, the Pentecostal Church of God continued to grow and expand. In 1957, the facilities on Maiden Lane were deemed inadequate, leading to the purchase of a four-story office building at 312-316 South Joplin and an adjacent building on Wall Street for the printing plant, which was later moved to the Newman Building at 602 Main Street in 1972. The General Offices relocated to a new executive center at Third and Main, and a 13-story retirement center, Messenger Towers, was built.

In 1975, Roy M. Chappell succeeded Heard and served for 12 years. Chappell focused on restructuring and securing the organization’s financial position, leading to the purchase of property and the construction of a new headquarters at 50th and Pennsylvania, dedicated at the 1985 General Convention. A new facility for Messenger Publishing House was built in 1987.

During Chappell’s term, the King’s Men Fellowship, Senior Christian Fellowship, Home Missions, and Evangelist ministries were established. In 1983, the decision was made to merge Southern Bible College in Houston, Texas, and Evangelical Christian College in Fresno, California, forming Messenger College in Joplin, Missouri, located across from the General Headquarters.

In 1987, Roy M. Chappell accepted a pastorate in California, and James D. Gee was called to serve as the general superintendent. Gee served until 2001, establishing the office of the Business Manager, improving the financial position of the organization, paying off the mortgage on the headquarters building, and purchasing 8.2 acres adjoining the headquarters. Most buildings on the Messenger College campus were constructed during his tenure, and initiatives such as “Strategy 2000” and “Project Paraclete” were launched.

In 2001, Reverend Phil L. Redding, Arkansas district secretary-treasurer, was elected as general superintendent/bishop (later changed to General Bishop), serving until 2005. The 2003 General Convention brought several changes, including the introduction of a death benefit program for ministers, the First Fruits (tithing) program, and an updated position on marriage, divorce, and remarriage.

In 2005, General Bishop Phil Redding announced his resignation amid financial setbacks primarily due to a Home Missions building program. He proposed a new structure at the 2005 General Convention, suggesting he would reconsider his resignation if adopted. The convention adopted the restructure, renaming the Executive Committee to General Council and including corporate officers, six assistant general bishops, and one bishop of ethnicity. However, Charles R. Mosier was elected as the general bishop. Mosier had served as Michigan District superintendent, World Missions director (1989-1999), and assistant general bishop for the Northeastern Division. Reverend Charles G. Scott was elected as the general secretary. The new General Council members included C. W. Goforth, Thomas Branham, Leon McDowell, Jan Lake, Donald Johnson, and Wayman C. Ming, Jr.

The 2005 restructure of the Pentecostal Church of God placed the selection of all departmental directors under the General Board. Elected directors included Loyd Naten (World Missions), C. Don Burke (Indian Missions), Reggie Powers (Youth Ministries), Pat Wilson (Home Missions), Billie Palumbo (Discipleship Ministries), and Barbara Mosier (Women’s Ministries). The convention also emphasized multi-cultural, discipleship, and stewardship ministries and raised over $350,000 to reduce Home Missions debt.

General Bishop Charles R. Mosier passed away on July 8, 2006, and the General Board guided the organization through this period until the 2007 General Convention. The convention removed the death benefit for ministers due to financial losses, retaining it only for those already on gratis status. Over $150,000 was raised to further reduce Home Missions debt. Charles G. Scott was elected general bishop, and Wayman C. Ming, Jr. was elected general secretary, forming one of the youngest leadership teams in major Pentecostal organizations.

At the 2009 General Convention in Joplin, Missouri, with the theme “We are PCG,” three significant decisions were made: adopting a reformed Minister’s Study series, increasing the Youth Ministries department’s funding by raising the ministerial credential fee, and exploring the relocation of the International Headquarters to a larger metropolitan area. General Bishop Charles G. Scott and General Secretary Wayman C. Ming, Jr. were re-elected for another term.

During the 2011 General Convention in Dallas, Texas, a monumental decision was made to relocate the International Headquarters of the Pentecostal Church of God and Messenger College to Bedford, Texas, which is part of the Dallas Metroplex area. This decision was made by the General Board and ratified by the General Convention. A “restoration and discipline” process for ministers and churches was added to the General Bylaws and the length of term for the General Bishop and General Secretary was increased from two years to four years after an initial two year term. The General Board was also afforded discretionary authority in all matters of policy, personnel, operations, and budgets between General Conventions for the welfare of the Pentecostal Church of God. General Bishop Charles G. Scott was elected for a four year term, and after General Secretary Wayman C. Ming Jr. stepped down from his position, World Missions Director Loyd L. Naten was elected as General Secretary.