International Circle of Faith

Infobox Christian denomination
name = International Circle of Faith
origin = 1932
headquarters = USA (Washington, DC)


imagewidth =
caption =
main_classification = Pentecostal
orientation = Apostolic*
polity = Episcopal
founders = Bernie L. Wade, Oswaldo Arroyo, Jerome Campher
founded_date = 1932
founded_place =
from = Merger
parent = Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ
merger = PAJC, UPCI, PAW, AG, Lion of Judah, AIM, AMF, ACI, FGBA
separations =
associations =
area = United States of America, Africa, India, Europe, Pakistan, Canada, Mexico, The Caribbean, Latin America, Italy and Spain
congregations = est. 33,000
members = est. 11 million
ministers = 39,085
footnotes = *emphasis on a restoration of apostles and prophets.

The International Circle of Faith (ICOF) is a group of Pentecostal, Charismatic and quasi-Pentecostal Protestant Christian churches, ministers and church ministries. Its world headquarters is on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. [ [http://www.icof.net/clrroundtable/contactingicof.html contactingicof ] ] According to ICOF's own statistics, the group as of 2005 had 39,085 ministers, and a total of 10,936,349 constituents worldwide. [ International Circle of Faith World Headquarters. 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006. ]

Distinction

Pentecostals are Protestant Christians who have undergone a "baptism of the Holy Spirit", which they believe to be usually accompanied by speaking in tongues and sometimes by dancing or "holy laughter." While there is no official count of Pentecostals, the movement is spreading quickly in America and even faster worldwide, where they may account for a quarter of all Christians [ The Rising Tide of PentecostalismHow a grassroots revival became the second-largest Christian movement in the world.By Justin T. Palm. http://pentecostalplace.wordpress.com/category/rise-of-pentecostalism-worldwide/ ] . [ http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/37241.aspx ] . Pentecostalism began with a local revival on Azusa Street in Los Angeles in 1906. Now there are at least 60 Pentecostal denominations, though many Pentecostal churches are nondenominational. Protestant Charismatic Christians are related but distinct from the Pentecostal tradition. [ Religion Newswriters http://www.rnasecure.org/guide/pentecostal.html ] The ICOF claims that they represent nearly 11 million constituents, which would make them among the largest Pentecostal/Charismatic movements in the world. [ International Circle of Faith. Washington, DC. Office of Ministerial Affairs. 2005. ]

Like most Pentecostals they promote lively style of worship, which can include running church aisles, jumping, dancing, shouting, and clapping. The church services are also punctuated at times with acts of speaking in tongues (glossalalia), interpretations of tongues, prophetical messages, and the laying of hands for the purposes of healing. These events can sometimes happen spontaneously during normal services. [ [http://www.yoyomaster.com/ministry.file/Pentecostalism.pdf A Survey of the History of the Distinctives of Pentecostalism] ]

Unlike many Pentecostal denominations who follow teachings made popular by Dabney [ Women Preachers(The Public Preaching of Women)October, 1879 by Robert Lewis Dabney(1820-1898), ] the ICOF ordains women ministers and even have ordained women into the office of Bishop, in common with some other Protestant denominations such as the Anglican Communion and the Methodist Church. ICOF believes that in Christ there is neither male nor female, Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, but all that have been filled with the Holy Spirit have equal opportunity. Ministers at all levels are allowed to marry and have children. [ International Circle of Faith. College of Bishops minutes. June 4, 2005. Indianapolis, IN. ] As a result the first Black Bishop in the history of Ireland, Dr. Marcus Benson,was ordained in 2004 in the United Kingdom. [ Gathering of Eagles Conference. Dr. Harold McFarlane. Built on the Rock International. London, England. ] [ Cyber Journal for Pentecostal-Charismatic Research. http://www.pctii.org/cyberj/cyberj1/ben.html ]

Unlike some Pentecostal denominations, the ICOF puts emphasis on the social gospel. The ICOF Humanitarian and Social Initiative is involved throughout the world in humanitarian projects; from HIV/AIDS education and awareness in Zambia to bore holes (water wells) in Nigeria the ICOF [ ICOF Perspectives. October 2007. ]

History

The group finds its origins in the American Pentecostal movement in general and in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ (PAJC) in particular. In the Pentecostal movement, the PAJC is recognized as one of the unity efforts that took place among Pentecostals in the 1930s and one of the oldest Pentecostal groups in the world citing its origins in 1916 or before [ http://upci.org/about.asp#history ] [ http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Pentecostal/upc_exposed.htm ] ICOF emerged out of the Pentecostal movement that commenced in Topeka, Kansas under Charles Parham on 1 January 1901. This movement gained strength while spreading through Missouri, Texas and California, culminating in the Azuza Street Revival in 1906. Rejected by mainline Christian denominations [ [http://www.routledge-ny.com/ref/religionandsociety/pentecostal/prot.html Encyclopedia of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity] ] Pentecostals began to form churches of their own, one of which was the Assemblies of God, formed in 1914.

In 1927 steps were taken toward reunifying these organizations. Meeting in a joint convention in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Emmanuel's Church in Jesus Christ and The Apostolic Churches of Jesus Christ merged, taking the name "The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ". This merger united about 400 Pentecostal ministers. In 1931, a unity conference with representatives from four Pentecostal organizations met in Columbus, Ohio, in an endeavor to bring all Pentecostals together. The Pentecostal Ministerial Alliance ministers voted to merge with The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, but the terms of the proposed merger were rejected by that body. Nevertheless, a union between The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World was effected in November 1931. The new body adopted the name of "The Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ".

1932 was a pivotal year for the Pentecostal movement in the United States. Pentecostal historians, Dr. David Bundy and Dr. Gary W. Garrett [ The Chronicles of Pentecostalism and the Apostolic Movement. ] , generally agree that "in 1932, The Pentecostal Ministerial Alliance changed its name to The Pentecostal Church, Incorporated (PCI), reflecting its organizational structure. In 1936, the PCI ministers voted to work toward an amalgamation with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ (PAJC)". [ [http://members.tripod.com/nbctupc/oldest.htm UPCi History ] ] . Final union, however, proved elusive until 1945, when these two Pentecostal organizations combined to form the United Pentecostal Church. In 1955, citing dissatisfaction with the treatment of black ministers, some members of the PAJC reorganized under the direction of a key group of ministers which included Bishop Ray Oscar Cornell (Apostolic Faith Church of God, 2050 W. 55th Street, Cleveland, Ohio), Bishop Charles Bernard Gillespie (Fairmont, WV), and Bishop Carl Angle (Niles, OH). Pentecostal Outlook. March 1961. Volume 18. Issue 3. ] In 2001, ministers from the PAJC and ministers from a number of other organizations met in Cleveland Ohio. Their focus was to bring greater unity to the Pentecostal movement and to other similarly minded groups. With this in mind they reorganized under the International Circle of Faith. [ History of the Apostolic Faith Church of God. ICOF. Dr. Bernie L. Wade, 2007. ] The key contributors to this effort were Dr. Bernie L. Wade, Dr. Jerome Campher and Dr. Frank Repper"

Television

ICOF has three television channels.

1. ICOF TV [ [http://www.mogulus.com/icof] ] 2. Yeshuavision [ (operated by Bishop Gilson Levi in London, UK) ] .3. Insight Television [ (operated by ICOF former 2nd Presiding Bishop - Jerome Campher)http://insightchristiantv.com/founders_msg.html ]

Publications

The ICOF has its own publishing arm. The official organ of the International Circle of Faith is "ICOF Perspectives", a weekly publication from the group's New Zealand office. The editor is David Tait. [ [http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs091/1011273922044/archive/1101970085211.html International Circle of Faith (ICOF) ] ]

Leadership

Presiding Bishop, Dr. Bernie L. Wade 2000 - present

International Bishopric

* Bishop Osvaldo Arroyo – (deceased) 2000 - 2001
* Dr. Tino Smith – 2001 - 2002
* Dr. Hans Brandt – 2002-2003
* Dr. Jerome Campher – 2003 - 2004
* Dr. Harold McFarland – 2003 – 2005
* Dr. John Ekwonike - 2007 to present
* Dr. Hans Brandt - 2002-2003
* Dr. H. C. McFarlane - 2003-2005
* Bishop Juan Nuevo - 2002-to present
* Bishop Gilsen Levi -2004-to present
* Bishop Sanford L. Wade - 2004 to present
* Dr. Marcus Benson

Education

International Circle of Faith has a network of Colleges and Seminaries. [ http://icof.net/college/locations.htm ]

ICOF-affiliated educational institutions

* Antioch Evangelical Seminary
* Apostolic Institute for Ministries - Nigeria
* Berea Bible Institute - USA
* Betty International School - Nigeria
* Restored Covenant Churches of God
* Carmel Bible College - India
* Central Christian University - USA
* Christian Workers Training Institute (CWTI) – USA
* Cypress Christian College
* Destiny School of Ministry
* Daisy R. Wade Primary School - Nigeria
* Dr. Bernie L. Wade Academy - Liberia
* Elohim Bible Academy - India
* Evangel Bible Institute - India
* Evangel School of Ministry - India
* Faith School of Theology
* Global Evangelical Christian College - USA
* Glofam Bible Institute - London
* Goye Bible Institute - Nigeria
* Grace College - USA
* Harvard High School - USA
* Higher Evangelical Theological Institute - Bulgaria
* International Circle of Faith College - USA
* Lighthouse Academy - USA
* Living Word Bible Seminary - Netherlands
* New Life School of Missions - India
* New Stars Bible College (5 campus) - Nigeria
* Renaissance University - Congo
* Royal Priesthood College - Togo
* RTW School of Theology
* Spanish Christian Embassy - SPAIN
* St. Thomas University
* United American Free Will Baptist College - Kingston, NC
* Zarephath Bible College - India
* Zarephath Christian College - India [ http://icof.net/college/locations.htm ]

Notable graduates of ICOF Colleges and Seminaries

* Mathieu Kerekou, President of Benin [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Dr. Orji Uzor Kal, Former Executive Governor - Abia State, Nigeria [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Dr. Joel Phillip Church - President - Freedom Bible College [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Dr. Frank T. Bozeman - President - Global Evangelical Christian College [ http://www.widu.us/professors_since_2005 ]
* Dr. Victoria Aguiyi-Ronsi, wife of the first President of Nigeria [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Dr. Cindy Coates - State Senate - Georgia, USA. [ http://www.cindyecoates.com/ ]
* Dr. Ronald Mayo - Bishop. United American Freewill Baptist Bible College [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Dr. E. J. McKenzie – Pastor - Panorama Christian Center. [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Dr. Paul S. Morton - Presiding Bishop - Full Gospel Baptist Association. Pastor - St. Stephen Baptist Church - New Orleans, Louisiana [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Leo Lewis – Presiding Prelate, Prophetic Miracles Ministries Worldwide [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Dr. Barney Phillips - International Circle of Faith Chaplaincy Ministries [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Daisy R. Wade, Principal - Harvard High School [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Bishop Noel Jones, Pastor - City of Refuge Church [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Dr. James P. Gould - President - Christian World Network (CWN) [ http://icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
* Dr. William (Bill) Garrett - Pastor. Former Chairman, Apostolic Ministerial Fellowship (AMF) [ http://www.icof.net/college/alumni.htm ]
*Paula White [ http://www.icof.net/college/alumni.htm through ICOF affiliated Global Evangelical Christian College. http://www.globaleac.org/id15.html ] Paula White Ministries

Notable people within the ICOF

* Rev. Edward Lai Who's Who in Young Asian Americans [ [http://www.asianamerican.net/bios/Lai-Edward.html Biography of Rev. Edward Lai ] ]
* Dr. Bernie L. Wade [ Apostolic Archives International. http://www.apostolicarchives.goodgroundwebsites.com/page/page/5857685.htm ]
* Dr. Frank T. Bozeman – President – Global Evangelical Christian College. [ [http://www.globaleac.org/ Global Evangelical Accrediting Commission ] ]
* Dr. Jerome Campher – Founder - Insight Christian Television Network. [ [http://www.jezreel.co.za/ Welcome To Jezreel Ministries International ] ]
* Dr. John Ekwonike – Presider - International Circle of Faith - Africa [ http://www.icof.net/future.html ]
* Dr. Gilson Levi – President - TelYeshuavision Television Network - France [ [http://www.bishopgilson.com/blank_1.html new european television ] ]
* Dr. Harold McFarlane - Built on the Rock International Ministries [ http://www.botr1.org/index.html ]
* Dr. Barney P. Phillips – International Circle of Faith Chaplains Corp – Commandant
* Bruce Hawthorn – Founder – Christian Brotherhood Newsletter [ [http://brucehaw.tripod.com/ Bruce E Hawthorn Founder: ] ]
* Bishop Yaotse Prince Badjene - International Circle of Faith - TOGO [ http://www.agmiweb.com/icess.html ]
* Bernie L. Wade II - Pastor of Life Church, Bedford, KY 40006 [ http://www.icofcm.com/network/id38.html ]

External links

* [http://www.icof.net International Circle of Faith ]
* [http://www.holyghostzone.com/Home_Page.php Website of Apostolic results]
* [http://www.pentecostalesdelnombre.com/ Pentecostales del Nombre de Jesucristo] page in Spanish
* [http://hechos238.com/Oneness Spanish Web Site] Apostolic Studies in Spanish
* [http://www.mikeblume.com/oneness.htm Articles of Study By Oneness Theologian Mike Blume]
* [http://www.apostolicarchives.com/ Apostolic Archives International] Web Site dedicated to the history of organizational leaders of Pentecostal Denominations
* [http://www.mogulus.com/icof ICOF TV]
* [http://www.mogulus.com/telyeshuavision Yeshuavision]

Notes and references