Rev. J.T. Pugh

United Pentecostal Church International

At the age of 16 J.T. Pugh began to feel his call into the ministry. At the age of 17, he enrolled in "Southern Bible and Vocational College". This was a good school located in a rural community twn miles from Cisco, Texas. During three of the four years that he attended college, J.T. pastored a church in Gorman, Texas.

In the winter of 1943 he was ordained as a minister of "The Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ." He did not fill out an application for license. He did not meet the District Board. R.L. Blankenship, Superintendent of the PA of JC, Texas District just decided that he should be ordained during a district meeting. His first license was signed by W.T. Witherspoon and S.R. Hanby.

On August 20, 1944, J.T. married a beautiful, dedicated, young lady. Bessie Beryl Halbrooks has been the greatest event of his life, besides Jesus Christ. She was the first and only girl he ever dated.There were three children born to this union.

After graduating from Bible School, the Pugh's travelled as evangelist for a short time. They did not own a car and knew that there was little liklihood that they would ever own one. They did not have the money to buy her bus ticket to their girdt revival after they were married. J.T. had to leave her at the bus station in tears.

In 1945, they were called to pastor in Wichita Falls, Texas. From 1946 to  1948, they evangelized. During this time they purchased a car.

In 1949, at the age of 27, the Pugh's  moved to Port Arthur, Texas to pastor "The First Pentecostal." They lived and ministered there for 17 years.

In 1974 the Pugh's moved to Odessa, Texas to pastor "The First Pentecostal Church." For 19 years they enjoyed revival and growth. During that time Bro. Pugh served eight years as the Texas District Superintendent.