There are two US-based organizations known as the Pentecostal Church of God, a trinitarian denomination based in Bedford, Texas, and a non-trinitarian organization headquartered in Detroit, Michigan
The Detroit-based Pentecostal Church of God was founded by the Apostle Rev. W.J. Peterson in 1955, and currently has churches throughout the United States, with bishops overseeing four districts.
The Pentecostal Church of God (Detroit) holds that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three manifestations of one God. They teach that God is His office, but that Jesus is His name. Thus, the Church baptizes in the name of Jesus only, rather than in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. They believe that God is a spirit with many titles, but only one name - Jesus Christ.
Founded in 1919 by a group of ministers who separated from the Assemblies of God, and others who chose not to affiliate with that organization, the Texas-based Pentecostal Church of God was originally known as the Pentecostal Assemblies of USA. John C. Sinclair, a Chicago pastor, served as the first moderator for the organization. Between 1927 and 2012, the Pentecostal Church of God moved its headquarters from Chicago, Illinois to Ottumwa, Iowa, and then to Kansas City and Joplin, Missouri, before establishing its base in Bedford, Texas.
The Church is headed by a General Bishop, previously known as a General Moderator, General Chairman, and General Superintendent, as well as the General Convention, which meets every other year. Member churches are divided into districts, including four Hispanic districts, each overseen by a district bishop. District conventions take place annually.
The International Missions Center for the Pentecostal Church of God is also located in Bedford, while its training facility, Messenger College, is in Euless, Texas.
Besides the United States, the denomination has active congregations and mission fields in several nations or regions around the world, including Africa, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Macedonia, Nicaragua, Panama, the Philippines, Russia, Tanzania, and West Africa.
The Pentecostal Church of God is evangelistic and Pentecostal in its practice.
The Church holds that both the Old Testament and the New Testament of the Bible are inspired of God.
The Texas-based Pentecostal Church of God is Trinitarian in its doctrine, accepting that God exists as a Trinity of three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Salvation is made possible through the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made of Himself on the cross. However, the Church believes that salvation can be lost if the believer turns away from God through the free will possessed by human beings.
After salvation, a Christian can be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and the outward evidence of this is speaking in tongues. Sanctification is made possible through the empowering of the Holy Spirit and is a definite and progressive work of grace.
The Church believes that heaven and hell are literal places. Heaven was created for those who have received salvation, while hell is for those who have rejected it. One day, Jesus Christ will return to earth. This Second Coming of Christ will be personal, pre-tribulational, and premillennial.
The Church observes two ordinances, baptism by water and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and is conducted using the Trinitarian formula, which is in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Lord's Supper is a remembrance of the death of Christ. The Church also practices foot washing, which precedes the observance of the Lord's Supper. Members of the Pentecostal Church of God are expected to tithe.
Topics related to either the Pentecostal Church of God (Detroit, Michigan) or the Pentecostal Church of God (Bedford, Texas) are appropriate for this category. Denominational website or those representing regions, international missions, publishing houses, or affiliated organizations or corporations may also be submitted to this category. Those representing local churches should be submitted to the Local & Global category that corresponds to the geographical location of the church, however.
Recommended Resources
Central California Pentecostal Church of God
Headquartered in Clovis, California, the Central California district represents the member churches of the Pentecostal Church of God within the geographical area of Central California. Directions, hours, and administrative contacts are published to the site, and a calendar of programs and events, video of sermons and conventions, and downloadable forms and documents are included.
https://ccpcg.org/
Originally known as the Pentecostal Assemblies of USA, the PCG is a trinitarian Pentecostal denomination with its headquarters in Bedford, Texas. The denomination’s website presents a history and profile of the organization, its organizational structure, and information about becoming an ordained minister. Other resources include an overview of its ministries, missions, and mission development programs.
http://www.pcg.org/
Pentecostal Church of God (Detroit, Michigan)
Founded by the Apostle Peterson in Meridian, Mississippi in 1955, the Pentecostal Church of God came to Detroit, Michigan in 1958, where its headquarters is now established. The official website for the denomination offers a history and profile of the Pentecostal body, a statement of beliefs, and an overview of its districts and congregations. Convocations may be viewed in live streaming or in an archive, and a calendar of events is included.
https://www.pentecostalchurchofgod.org/
Pentecostal Church of God General Convention
Through the PCG General Convention, delegates may connect with other church leaders through worship services, business meetings, scheduled luncheons, and informal networking opportunities through a week-long biennial convention. The convention meeting site and schedules are published to the site, including dining options, a list of scheduled speakers, nearby hotels, and resolutions to be considered.
https://www.gc.pcg.org/
So Cal District of the Pentecostal Church of God
The Southern California district of the PCG is a Trinitarian, Pentecostal organization, affiliated with the Pentecostal Church of God in Bedford, Texas. Created in 1943, the district is an association of churches in the area south of Tulare County to the Mexican border, but excluding Ventura and San Luis Obispo County north of Point Conception. Its office location and contacts are posted, along with a calendar of events and announcements.
https://www.socaldistrict.com/
