The Church of Pentecost traces its roots as far back as June 1931, when God made a covenant with a group of worshippers in the Gold Coast (now Ghana), through a prophecy that:

“It is not because of how few or many you are in membership but according to my divine and eternal purpose and goodwill for the Church.”

That I God, would raise up a nation out of Africa that would be a spearhead and light to the world heralding the 2nd Coming of Christ Jesus our Lord

That the Gold Coast (now Ghana) has been chosen to fulfill this eternal will and purpose of God.

I God, would accomplish this through a missionary from Europe who would come to lead the group in future.

The group, through many trials, tribulations, temptations and persecutions would be nurtured, protected and grow up spiritually, numerically and become a great International Pentecostal Church which would send out missionaries from the country, the Gold Coast, to all parts of Africa and the world as a whole:

To make disciples for the coming Christ, and I would call out men according to My own choice of heart from time to time.

I God, will ensure that no weapon that is formed against the Church prospers, and every tongue that rises against her in judgment shall be condemned. For this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me, says the Lord.

That I God, will meet your financial challenges in season and out of season. For all other churches will acknowledge that My divine presence, blessing and glory are with you.

I will pour upon you abundant spiritual gifts, on both men and women.

I God, will from time to time prune My Church of all parasites, pests, personality cults, false doctrines, social and religious evils, to make her holy and radiant, to portray My divine presence, radiance, glory in her spiritual and physical performances in order to avoid both spiritual decline and apostasy.

Six years after the above prophecy, Pastor James McKeown was sent to Ghana in 1937 by the Apostolic Church, Bradford, U.K. at the request of the group of worshippers, then called the Apostolic Faith Church in Ghana.

In a series of developments dictated by doctrinal differences, Rev. James McKeown broke away, first from The Apostolic Faith Church in 1939 and became The Apostolic Church. In 1953, he broke away again from the Bradford Apostolic Church, U.K. and formed the independent Gold Coast Apostolic Church.

In 1962, his group finally adopted the name “THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST.”

In the United States, the Church was started in 1987 by a group of seven people. It now has over 100 branches in about 27 states. It continues to grow and expand by the grace of God.

HISTORY OF THE PHOENIX DISTRICT (PIWC Phoenix Central)

Like many churches, PIWC PHOENIX CENTRAL had humble beginnings. The first meeting of the group that laid the foundation stones of the church as we know it today was held sometime in the year 1999. It attracted about 20 worshippers, made up of a few families: including the Gyampoh and Amoako families as well as Mama Adelaide Ayirebi and family, and it was held in a school auditorium.

With time, the group began to attract more members, and by the grace of God, support and assistance came from brethren in the Los Angeles District. Under the leadership of Pastor Emmanuel Owusu Bediako (later Apostle Bediako, of blessed memory), the LA team visited Phoenix regularly to help move the church forward. Phoenix Central was officially inaugurated on September 9, 2008 with Overseer Hayford Gyampoh (now Pastor) as the first resident Minister and Eld. Marshall Umoren as Presiding Elder.

In October 2011 to August 2014, Overseer Samuel Sackey-Hughes (now Pastor) took over the mantle of leadership. During his tenure, three more assemblies were established within the District, namely, PIWC Tucson in 2012, PIWC Las Vegas in 2013 and PIWC El Paso in 2014.

It must be noted, however, that following a decision of the National Office, PIWC Las Vegas became a full-fledged District in 2016, and PIWC El Paso was also absorbed into Austin District in Texas Region.

Three Presiding Elders served during Ovr. Sackey-Hughes’ tenure: Elders Umoren, Emmanuel Newlove and George Ayawovi Amedon.

In August 2014, Pastor Peter Willie replaced Overseer Sackey-Hughes as District Pastor. The Presiding Elder at the time was Eld. Amedon.

Pastor Willie was succeeded by Overseer Godfred Amuzu in August 2015. During his tenure, two more Assemblies were established within Phoenix District: PIWC Albuquerque in 2017 and PIWC West Valley in 2018. Eld. Amedon served as PE during this time and was succeeded by Eld. Robert Johnson. It is important to note that it was during Ovr. Amuzu’s tenure that Phoenix Central achieved its long-cherished dream of acquiring its own place of worship, which is its current location in Apache Junction in Pinal County, Az.

In July 2018, Pastor Foday Kaba Dumbuya was posted to Phoenix to replace Ovr. Amuzu, as District Pastor. Pastor Dumbuya’s tenure, so far, has seen a strengthening of the four Assemblies in the Phoenix District, with the focus on intentional and structured initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining visitors to our churches. It is also noteworthy that the District acquired its own Mission in August 2019.