Our History
The
Apostolic Faith Church of Grand Rapids was founded in 1911 by Bro. B.
M. David who had received the gospel message at the Persian Pentecostal
Mission in Chicago, pastored by Bro. Andrew Urshan.
Bro. David was water baptized
in Jesus name, and had received
the baptism of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues. He
preached and taught this
soul-cleansing message to all. God satisfied the hungry hearts of many
with His Spirit and worked miracles in their midst.
In 1914 Elder G. T. Haywood
held revival services at our church
and his subject was Jesus Name Baptism and the Oneness of God as he
taught from his charts. God’s
presence and power fell in those humble surroundings and Elder Haywood
confirmed the Apostolic, Acts 2:38 message to our young congregation.
Since
1911, our church has had only five pastors. Brother David founded the
church and was the pastor until the mid 1920's. He was followed by
Elder Robert Tobin, who remained with us until the early 1930's. At
that time, Elder Charles Julien became our pastor through 1950 and was
elevated to District Elder during his pastorate. Elder Lawrence Brisbin
was our pastor from 1950 to 1993. During his pastorate, he was elevated
first to District Elder, then to Bishop. He was the Presiding Bishop of
the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World from 1980
through 1986. In 1993,
Elder Allen Julien became the fifth pastor of
this great congregation. In 2001 he was elevated to District Elder, and
then in 2008, to the
office of Suffragan Bishop.
Apostolic
Faith Church is the Mother Apostolic
Church of Grand Rapids,
which from it's inception has been a beacon of light to a lost and
dying world. From it's beginning, our congregation has been integrated.
With all nationalities and races welcome, our church has always been
comfortable worshiping our great God together as one people.
Thoughts To Guide You by Pastor Allen Julien
POWER
Power means we have the
ability to act, the capacity for
action, or being acted upon. Also, it can mean we have the capacity of
producing or understanding an effect. We do have the ability to think
and to use our will, but God has given us the power.John 1:12-13 states: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
God, in His wonder and majesty, decided to use His power to bring mankind into existence; but then He gave unto us the power whereby we may become the sons of God. We cannot do this on our own, but must use the power that He has given us, to tap into His vast resources as we become part of His spiritual family. He gave this power to a people who believe on His name, so the benefits of the power come through the name of Jesus Christ; and Jesus came in His Father's name. He was referring here, not only to them which were born not only of human flesh and blood, but also to those who were born into the church through the will of God.
This power does not come from the will of man, but by the wonderful revelation of God. For, what have and what we receive comes to us by the benevolent love and favor of the Almighty God. Being born into the family of God, is to have power to overcome our flesh and to become the sons of God according to His will and according to the writings of the Bible.
The Lord came to us in a body of human flesh, Jesus Christ, so that He might dwell among us; and thus we were allowed to behold His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, who was full of grace and truth.
Suffragan
Bishop Allen Julien, the
Pastor of Apostolic Faith since 1993, is licensed with the Pentecostal
Assemblies of the World, Inc.
He
also serves as a Bishop in the Apostolic World Christian
Fellowship.
Today's Church
From it's very beginning the Apostolic Faith Church has always been a multi-racial church. Today, the teaching of the Apostolic Faith Church continues to be Bible-based, presenting Jesus as the Savior for all mankind. We welcome persons of any age, race, or station in life to personally come to know the power of the Holy Ghost. Join us as we walk toward the perfection of Jesus Christ that we find in the scriptures. We'd love nothing more than to see what God will do for you. Become a part of Today's Church, won't you?
