Our Founding
Apostolic Faith Church is known as the first apostolic church in the state of Michigan.
It was Bro. B. M. David who brought the apostolic message here to Grand Rapids, establishing the Apostolic Faith Church in 1911 where he preached and taught this soul-cleansing message to all. After hearing the gospel message at the Persian Pentecostal Mission in Chicago, pastored by Bro. Andrew Urshan; Baba M. David was water baptized in the name of Jesus, and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues.
In 1914 Elder G. T. Haywood held revival services at this newly formed church. His subject was Jesus Name Baptism and the Oneness of God. As he taught from his charts, the presence and power of God fell, and Elder Haywood confirmed the Acts 2:38 message to this newly formed congregation.
Our Pastoral History
Bro. B. M. David
Elder Charles A. Julien
Elder Robert F. Tobin
Brother Baba M. David founded the church and was our first pastor until moving on to another work in the mid 1920's.
Elder Robert F. Tobin
Elder Charles A. Julien
Elder Robert F. Tobin
Elder Robert Tobin, became our second pastor and remained with us until he took over the pastorate for the late Bishop G.T. Haywood in the early 1930's.
Elder Charles A. Julien
Elder Charles A. Julien
Elder Charles A. Julien
Serving until 1950, Elder Charles Julien was our third pastor, during which time he was elevated to District Elder.
Bishop L. E. Brisbin
Bishop Allen C. Julien
Elder Charles A. Julien
Bishop Lawrence Brisbin served as our fourth pastor from 1950 to 1993. He was elevated to District Elder, and then to Bishop. From 1980 through 1986, he was elected to and served with distinction, two terms as the Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.
Bishop Allen C. Julien
Bishop Allen C. Julien
Bishop Allen C. Julien
Bishop Allen Julien became our fifth pastor in 1993 and retired in 2014. He was both a Suffragan Bishop in the Northern District Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, and also a Bishop in the Apostolic World Christian Fellowship serving as their North Central Regional Director.
Our Current Pastor
District Elder Dorian Richardson
Elected as our sixth Pastor in 2014, Elder Dorian began his leadership as the Chairman of the Youth Aflame of The Apostolic Faith Church in 1998, and fulfilled that role until this current assignment. He received his ministerial license in 2006 and was soon after, appointed as Bishop Julien's Pastoral Assistant. During this time he also served on the Deacon Board, as a choir member, as a Sunday School teacher, and as the New Members Class instructor. In early 2014 he was elected to 2nd Vice-President of the Western Michigan Young People's Union. In October of 2017, he was elevated to District Elder in the Northern District Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Fifth Episcopal District. With his wife, Tomarra, they are raising four beautiful children; Grace, Anthony, Victoria, and Samuel.
Distict Elder Dorian and First Lady Tomarra Richardson