Apostolic Church of Pentecost
Where we come from
The Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada traces its history back to a revival that began in the early 20th Century at the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles. This revival has come to be known as the “Latter Rain” revival.
In 1913, a man by the name of Frank Small was pastoring a small church in Winnipeg called the Apostolic Faith Mission. He traveled to a camp meeting just outside of Los Angeles where he witnessed the “manifest power of God”. When Frank Small returned to Winnipeg, his message of coming revival was not well received by his church so he resigned, but continued to attend the church.
For the next 3 years, Frank Small gave himself to prayer and waiting on God. In October of 1915, he had an encounter with the Holy Spirit where he saw a vision of an oil gusher and a large tent. He sensed the Holy Spirit say to him, “Your time is up - get ready, revival is here!”
In the summer of 1916, Frank Small held a tent meeting crusade in Winnipeg. Over the course of that summer, thousands of people came to faith in Christ and were baptized in water and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Testimonies of healing and deliverance were prevalent. In the fall of 1916, the old Jewish Synagogue in Winnipeg was rented and the revival continued.
Over the next few years, the revival spread from Winnipeg to other parts of Canada. In December of 1921 the first Conference of the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada was held in Winnipeg. Over the next 33 years the Apostolic Church of Pentecost was involved in extensive church planting across Canada and foreign mission work.
Evangelical Churches of Pentecost:
In 1927, a group known as the Full Gospel Mission was established in Western Canada. This group had its origins in the Trossachs Camp Meeting near Pangman, Saskatchewan and eventually adopted the name of Evangelical Churches of Pentecost. This group was also involved in church planting in Western Canada as well as foreign missions work. In 1944 the Full Gospel Mission established a bible college in Eston, Saskatchewan, called the Full Gospel Bible Institute – now Eston College
Merger:
In the early 1950’s, joint Conferences were held between the Evangelical Churches of Pentecost and the Apostolic Church of Pentecost to explore the possibility of joining together. In 1953 a merger took place under the charter of the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada and it was agreed that Eston College would become the official training center of the amalgamated organization.
Today ACOP is the second largest Pentecostal Denomination in Canada. There are currently 145 Canadian churches affiliated or associated with ACOP, and there are 450 credentialed ministers representing nearly every province in Canada. ACOP is also involved in missionary endeavors in 26 other countries.
International Office:
The ACOP International Office is located in Calgary, Alberta. It also serves as the National Office of the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada and the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of the United States of America.
The International Office is the hub of communication and information for our Fellowship. It is responsible for the credentialing of ministers, the collection and distribution of missionary funds and the coordination of regional and national conferences.
Vision
The vision of ACOP is to be a passionate people extending God’s grace and igniting hope in communities everywhere. Through 450 credentialed ministers and 145 partner churches, God’s grace is being extended and hope is being ignited in communities across Canada. Our global workers and international partners are extending God’s grace in 26 other countries.
Our mission is to engage in community transformation by developing effective leaders and healthy churches. We believe that communities are transformed one life at a time, therefore we focus our attention on strengthening leaders and creating healthy, disciple-making communities.
Statement of Faith
We Believe In:
- That the Bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative written Word of God.
- In the eternal existence of one true God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- In the Savior of men, the Lord Jesus Christ, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, very God and very man.
- In the creation, test and fall of man, as recorded in Genesis; his total spiritual depravity and inability to attain to divine righteousness.
- That forgiveness of sin and eternal life is freely offered to all by our Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation of sinners is by grace through faith alone, in the perfect all sufficient work of Christ, who died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day for our justification.
- In Water Baptism of believers by immersion in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- In the Baptism with the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation with the scriptural evidence; namely, speaking in tongues.
- In the gifts of the Holy Spirit as enumerated in the book of Acts and the Epistles.
- In the Lord’s Table as a memorial for believers.
- In Divine Healing as practiced throughout the New Testament.
- In the eternal life of the believer and the eternal punishment of the unbeliever.
- In the Spirit-filled life. The Holy Spirit is the catalyst for sanctification and seeks to produce His fruit in the believer’s life as their minds are renewed and they are conformed to the image of Christ.
- In the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Church.
- In the sanctity of marriage, as a life long exclusive commitment between one man and one woman