Remembering the Past Apostolic Faith Mission Celebrating the Present Apostolic Faith Church of God

By Carolyn Montier and Gerald Montier

Gerald & Carolyn are overjoyed to present this definitive book cataloging the history of the Apostolic Faith Church of God. This book contains the researched history of the Apostolic Faith Church Of God from the beginning to the present. Bishop William Joseph Seymour from Los Angeles, California is credited with establishing this organization in Handsome, Virginia. The photographs included enliven the transcript and allow the readers to visualize the history of the past and present.

We felt it was necessary to research and preserve this legacy so generations to come will know their history. We hope and pray that each person who reads this book will appreciate and be enlightened by the heritage this organization has maintained and is building upon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 11, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456740207

Carolyn Montier

Gerald and Carolyn Montier live in Newport News, Virginia. Gerald served in the United States Marine Corps and is a Vietnam Era Veteran. Carolyn graduated from Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. They have been happily married for 26 years. It was in 2002 when Carolyn was inspired by God to research the history of the Apostolic Faith Church Of God. Gerald made himself available to assist in anyway he could to make the project a reality. They are also founders of Spreading The Good News, an independent newsletter, which is published monthly.

Book preview

Contents

William Joseph Seymour

The Apostolic Faith

Historical Society

Bishop Charles W. Lowe

Bishop John Thomas Cox

Bishop Robert Clarence Butts

Bishop Oree Keyes

Construction of the New Edifice

Presiding Bishop Robert L. Lyons

Bishop Climatee Roberts

2008–2012 Board of Elders

Apostolic Faith Church of God Memories

Missions Within the Apostolic Faith Church of God

Bibliography

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Dedicated to my parents:

Overseer Joseph Ellis and the late Minister Herma Lee Ellis

—for the guidance and faith they instilled in me.

Courtesy of Deacon Frank Jones

This book is also dedicated to the

late Bishop William Joseph Seymour

and saints past and present,

who labored so diligently in the Lord.

Special thanks to those individuals who helped make this book a success.

Those who don’t know history

are doomed to repeat it.

—Author unknown

History doesn’t repeat itself—

People repeat history.

—Author unknown

William Joseph Seymour

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Founder and First Bishop of

Apostolic Faith Mission

(The Apostolic Faith Church of God)

May 2, 1870–September 28, 1922

One of America’s Greatest Revivalists in the

History of the Church

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First Lady Jennie Evans Moore Seymour

Pastored from

1922 to 1936

The Apostolic Faith

Historical Society

The Apostolic Faith Church of God, previously known as the Apostolic Faith Mission, Los Angeles, California, was founded and established by Bishop William J. Seymour in the 1900s. His life and ministry centered on Jesus Christ. Bishop Seymour’s ministry is known as the most powerful missionary movement in church history.

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Bishop William J. Seymour

Bishop William J. Seymour was born in Centerville, Louisiana, May 2, 1870, to Simon and Phyllis Seymour. His parents were former slaves. Seymour was raised Baptist. He married Jennie Evans Moore on May 13, 1908. Seymour followed and obeyed the teaching of the Word of God. He meditated on Jesus, thus causing the power of God to work through him.

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Bishop William and

Jennie Seymour

Bishop Seymour became world famous as the Pastor of the Azusa Street Mission, where there was an outpouring of the spirit of God such as the earth had seldom seen.

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Bonnie Brae House

The first outpouring of the Holy Ghost took place in the home of Brother Richard and Sister Ruth Asbury, 214 Bonnie Brae Street, Los Angeles, California, April 9, 1906. The saints witnessed an incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Bishop W. J. Seymour held the prayer meeting. April 9, 1906, became an important date to the Pentecostal movement. The power of God fell like never before.

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Azusa Street Mission

Because of the multitude of people who had gathered at the home of Richard and Ruth Asbury, the services were held outside, and the front porch became the pulpit. It is said that the porch collapsed from the weight of the people, causing the services three days later to be moved from Bonnie Brae Street to 312 Azusa Street.

For almost two years, the Shekinah Glory of God rested on the Azusa Street Mission, where literally thousands from almost every nation under the sun heard the gospel. Unfortunately, the Azusa Street Mission no longer stands. The Bonnie Brae House is the only remaining historic site related to the Azusa Revival. The Bonnie Brae House is still located in Los Angeles, California. It has been beautifully restored as a historical landmark for generations to come.

The Pentecostal movement was born in a faith school that was