Pentecostal Church of God

The Pentecostal Church of God (PCG) is a Trinitarian

Pentecostal Church of God
Pentecostal Christian denomination headquartered in
Bedford, Texas, United States. As of 2010, there were
620,000 members, 6,750 clergy in 4,825 churches
worldwide.[1]

The PCG is a member of the National Association of

Evangelicals, the Pentecostal World Conference and the PCG logo
Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America. The
church's official publication is The Pentecostal Messenger. Classification Protestant
Orientation Pentecostal

History Associations National Association of

Evangelicals,
First called the Pentecostal Assemblies of USA, the PCG Pentecostal/Charismatic
was formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1919 by a group of Churches of North
Pentecostal ministers who had chosen not to affiliate with America
the Assemblies of God and several who had left that
Region Worldwide
organization after it adopted a doctrinal statement in 1916.[2]
John C. Sinclair, an early Pentecostal pastor in Chicago, and Founder John C. Sinclair
a former Assemblies of God presbyter served as the first Origin 1919
moderator. The Pentecostal Assemblies of the USA was
Congregations 4,825
dissolved in 1922, and the organization resumed under the
name Pentecostal Church of God. Members 620,000
Official website official Web Site (http://
In 1927, the denominational headquarters relocated to
www.pcg.org)
Ottumwa, Iowa; in 1933, to Kansas City, Missouri; in 1951,
to Joplin, Missouri in 1951; and in 2012, to Bedford,
Texas.[3]

Although the relocation to Bedford, TX followed the 2011 Joplin

Tornado, the decision to move had started at least three years earlier
when the 2009 General Convention voted to explore relocating to a
larger metropolitan area. The reason for the move was because of
lower income due to declining minister and church membership
and Messenger College could no longer support itself.

Beliefs
The Pentecostal Church of God combines Pentecostal and
evangelical doctrines in its Statement of Faith.

Both the Old and New Testament of the Bible is the The pastor of a PCG church in
inspired word of God. Harlan County, Kentucky (1946)
Believes there is one God that exists as a Trinity.
 Salvation is available through Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Salvation can be lost if one turns away from God by a human's free will.
Believes in water baptism according to the Trinitarian formula.
After salvation, a Christian can be baptized with the Holy Spirit, which is evidenced by
speaking in tongues.
Sanctification is a definite and progressive work of grace.
Heaven and hell are literal places; heaven being for those who have received salvation, and
hell for those who have rejected it.
The Christian Church is made of all true Christians.
There are two ordinances: water baptism and the Lord's supper. Water baptism symbolizes
identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. The Lord's supper is done in
remembrance of Christ's death.
Members practice tithing.
Believes that Jesus Christ will return and that his return is imminent. His coming will be
personal, pretribulation, premillennial.

Organization
The church is led by a General Bishop (formerly called General Superintendent and before that General
Moderator and General Chairman) and a General Convention which meets biennially. It is divided into a
number of districts, including four Hispanic districts in the United States. Each district is served by a district
bishop, previously district superintendent. District conventions meet annually. In 2002, the General
Convention came to a consensus to change the title of their overseer from General Superintendent to
Bishop. The change was made because internationally, the term bishop is more commonly related to
religious leaders than the previous title. Prior to 2011, the International headquarters were located in Joplin,
Missouri where a college and a publishing house operated. In 2012 The International Headquarters moved
to Bedford, TX and the College, Messenger College, followed and is located in Euless, Texas. As of 2017,
the International Headquarters has changed its name to the IMC, International Missions Center. The
Messenger College learning center was relocated to the fourth floor of the International Missions Center,
classes beginning in the new location at the start of the 2018-19 academic school year.

Moderator/Chairman
Rev. A. D. McClure: 1927-1933
Rev. G. F. C. Fons: 1933-1935

General Superintendent
Rev. Marion D. Townsend: 1935-1937
Rev. Harold M. Collins: 1937-1942
Rev. J. W. May: 1942-1947
Rev. H. T. Owens: 1947-1949
Rev. M. F. Coughran: 1949-1953
Rev. R. Dennis Heard: 1953-1975
Rev. Roy M. Chappell: 1975-1987
Dr. James D. Gee: 1987-2001

General Bishop
Rev. Phil L. Redding: 2001-2005
Rev. Charles R. Mosier: 2005–2006
Rev. Charles G. Scott: 2007–2015
Rev. Loyd L. Naten: 2015–2017
Dr. Wayman C. Ming: 2017–current

See also
Christianity portal

Messenger College: Bedford, Texas

Mizpa Pentecostal University: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Southern Bible College: Houston, Texas

Notes
1. Servants of the Spirit. Des Moines, Iowa: OBC Publishing. 2010. p. 270. ISBN 978-0-
9608160-7-1.
2. Servants of the Spirit. Des Moines, Iowa: OBC Publishing. 2010. p. 219. ISBN 978-0-
9608160-7-1.
3. General Bylaws (2012 ed.). Bedford, TX: Pentecostal Church of God. 2012. pp. 111–112.

References
Our Story: The History of the Pentecostal Church of God ISBN 1-882449-36-3
We've Come this Far by Faith ISBN 1-931393-24-9

External links
Pentecostal Church of God (http://www.pcg.org/) – official Web Site
Profile of the Pentecostal Church of God on the Association of Religion Data Archives
website (http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1010.asp)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pentecostal_Church_of_God&oldid=1177590894"