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Bishop Ross Perry Paddock

 Pentecostal Assemblies of the World

1907 ~ 1990

 Bishop Ross P. Paddock was born on a farm in Van Buren County, Michigan on March 9, 1907 to Archie Sinclair and Edith Gertrude Paddock. He was the second of three children born to this union. Later, his family moved to Kalamazoo, County where he lived for the remainder of his life. When Ross was about seventeen years old, he met a young lady, Frances Celia Taylor. On July 8, 1924 they were married. They became the proud parents of twelve children.

Ross' earliest recollections of hearing the gospel was at a small country church located in Kalamazoo, Michigan where he went to Sunday School. His parents kept him in church whereever they attended. This gave Ross the opportunity to observe the ways of churchmen of various groups. He acquired a hunger for God at the age of thirteen, but the church had nothing to offer him, so he drifted from that early resolve, and afterwards became very critical of the methodoligy of Christianity.

At the age of eighteen, Ross became so disgusted with hypocrisy in the church that he vowed he would never again go to any church. For three years he kept to that promise, but then he found himself one night in a small store-front mission on Parsdons Street in Kalamazoo. Bishop A. William lewis was the Evangelist for the meeting. Ross listened as Bishop Lewis described his sinful condition, and made him to feel that his feet were placed under the wrong table. The devil's table. He was convicted! but became so angry that he wanted to choke Bishop Lewis.

Once again he vowed never again to attend church. However, the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, so, through some unusual circumstances, about five months later, Ross ws led into a small country mission a few miles out of town. After attending services there for about two months his resistance was completely gone. The gospel hook had been set, and all that remained was to reel in the fish. On January 1, 1929, Ross P. Paddock was baptized in Jesus' Name at a little church located in Battle Creek, Michigan. They had to break the ice in order to baptize him. About thirty-six days later, on February 5, 1929, he received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and immediately began to tell the good news to everyone he came in contact with. From that time on, his interest, and love for the Scriptures were very great.

In a matter of days his entire family was saved. His wife, mother, father, sister, and brother with their companions were among his first converts. From the outset of his receiving the holy Ghost, Ross spent many nights studying his Bible. Five months later he conducted his first service. Two were baptized that night, and one received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. From that night on, novice though he was, he kept endeavoring to preach the gospel.

Soon afterward, his pastor was killed in an accident. The saints would have elected Ross for their pastor at that time but he refused because he knew that his short experience did not yet fit him for the position.Five years later they were once again in need of a pastor. The church was almost completely destroyed by the sins of the former pastor. On December 4, 1934 Bishop S.N. Hancock came, and held an election in which Ross became the pastor of the small assembly, then known as Blessed Promise Assembly. Shortly after becoming the pastor, Elder Paddock purchased some property at 740 Riverside Drive. The church was renamed to Christ Temple Church. The new church was dedicated in 1950. He served as pastor of Christ Temple for thirty-seven and one half years.

After becoming the pastor of Blessed Promise Assembly, Elder Paddock became a member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ. In September of 1938, he applied for credentials with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. In August, 1952 he was elevated to the office of Bishop, and was assigned the following year to the Mountain State Council as its Diocesan. At the Convention held in August, 1953 Bishop Paddock was elected Assistant Presiding Bishop of the PAW, which position he held for fourteen years. He was appointed Diocesan Bishop over the State of Michigan in 1962, and remained in that position until August, 1988.

In 1967, he was destined to move even higher. Following the passing of Bishop Samuel Grimes, Bishop Paddock was elected Presiding Bishop to fill the unexpired term. He was elected to two full terms, in 1968, and again in 1971, as Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Bishop Paddock's last message to the church when he retired as pastor on June 4, 1972 was like that of the apostle Paul, "I have held back nothing profitable unto you". His last message preached to Christ Temple was on July 15, 1990. His subject was taken from the book of Revelation, "I am afraid".

God called this great warrior home, Monday, September 17, 1990, with his wife, and children at his side. He has been greatly missed in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, and the entire constituency of the PAW. No one will ever be able to fill his shoes. Audio and Video recordings of Bishop R.P. Paddock are available in our resource department.

Rev. Charles Fox Parham

 "Original" Apostolic Faith Movement

  1873 ~ 1929

Reverend Charles F. Parham was born June 4, 1873 in Muscantine, Iowa. When he was five his parents William and Ann Maria Parham moved south to Cheney, Kansas. They truly lived as, and considered themselves to be American pioneers. As a child, Charles experienced many debilitating illnesses, including encephalitis, and rheumatic fever. These unfortunate confontations  with pain, and even death would greatly impact his adult life.

Before his conversion at age thirteen, Charles felt an attraction to the bible, and a call to preach. He began conducting revival meetings in local Methodist churches when he was fifteen. At age seventeen he entered Southwest kansas College at Winfield, to prepare for Methodist ministry. By the spring of 1895 enrollment had dropped from over 600 to 209. One of the casualities of the economic crises was the young preacher, Charles F. Parham. His formal education came to an end when he failed to register for the 1893-94 school term.

A year later Charles turned his back on God, and the ministry. Deciding that he preferred the income and social standing of a physician, he began medical studies.Soon his rheumatic fever returned, and it didn't seem that he would recover. Months of inactivity had left him a virtual cripple. His ankles were too weak to support the weight of his body, so he staggered about walking on the sides of his feet. In December, 1891 Charles renewed his commitment to God, and the ministry, and he instantaneously and totally healed.

From this time on Charles Parham went forth proclaiming not only that Jesus saves and santifies, but that He also heals. He preached in schoolhouses, homes, or whatever was open for the gospel. He preached to many people of various faiths. He soon left "sectarian churchism" as he called it, and entered the evangelistic work where he saw hundreds saved, sanctified, and healed by the power of God.

In 1898 Parham established Bethel Healing Home. The purpose of Bethel was to provide home like comforts for those who were seeking healing, while prayer was made for their spiritual needs as well as their bodies. Parham printed the first Pentecostal publication in 1899. It was called The Apostolic Faith. In October, 1900 with about 40 students, Charles Parham secured "Stones Folly" a great mansion patterned after an old English Castle, and opened the Bethel Bible School in Topeka, Kansas.

On January 1, 1901 duriing a watch-night service the Holy Ghost begin to fall on those who were gathered at the Bible College. Agnes Ozman was the first to receive the Spirit baptism and spoke in other tongues. Three days later, Parham received his Spirit baptism. Brother Parham was a modern forerunner in the doctrine of baptism in Jesus' name. This was his normal practice of which he never deviated from.

Parham traveled throughout Kansas, Missouri and Texas, spreading the Apostolic Faith message everywhere he went. He converted Howard Goss to the Apostolic faith, and taught William Seymour the basic principles of the doctrine of Holy Spirit baptism, which opened the door for Seymour to evangelize Los Angeles in 1906. In 1929, after a short illness, Charles F. Parham died. He will always be remembered as the founding father of modern day Pentecostalism, and the Apostolic Faith Movement

Elder Isaac Parker

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World 

1926 ~ 1971

Elder Isaac Parker was born July 20th, 1926 in Akron, Ohio, the son of Thornton and Ethel Parker. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Foote in the year of 1952 and to this union was born five children. Elder Parker was baptized in Jesus' Name at an early age and received the Holy Ghost in the springs of 1946 at the Bethel Temple Church in Akron, Ohio under Bishop Raymond L. Robinson. Later he was called into the ministry and was a full-time evangelist for three years.

He then accepted the pastorate of the Pentecostal Lighthouse Church, Gilmer, Texas; Macedonia Pentecostal Church, Diana, Texas; and the Pentecostal Church in Pittsburg, Texas. He pastored three churches nine years and then moved to Dallas, Texas as pastor of the Temple Holiness Church where he remained until his homecoming.

Elder Parker possessed a winning personality and a tenacity and stamina unmatched by many sighted individuals. He was a graduate of the Columbus School for the Blind and the Aenon Bible College of Columbus, Ohio. He mastered his handicap and traveled the country extensively singing and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to great and small moving under the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Later he was elevated to the office of District Elder by the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in the State of Texas.

Elder Parker was convinced that he was a soldier in the army of the Lord and was determined to work until the day was done. several hours before his passing, he summarized his convictions and faith in his God by singing "I'm going to work until the Day is done," and his favorite "I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone." He fought a good fight, he finished his course, he kept the faith. Elder Isaac Parker fell asleep in Christ Thursday, June 24th, 1971 in the Baylor Hospital, Dallas, Texas after a long illness at the age of forty-four years, eleven months and four days. The P.A.W. was left to cherish the short life and memory of this stalwart champion.

Rev. William Coffey Parkey

United Pentecostal Church International

1931 ~ Present

Reverend W.C. Parkey was born July 29, 1931 in Paoli, Oklahoma, the 7th of 8 children born to Robert Olen Parkey and Nelle Fay Randolph. William graduated in 1949 from Paoli High School. He was baptized in Jesus' name in 1940 under the ministry of Elder Charles E. Carter. He received the infilling of the Holy Ghost in 1941. Brother Parkey is a third generation Pentecostal. His father's parents received the Holy Ghost in 1930. His mother and father received the Holy Ghost in 1934, during a tent revival conducted by the late C.P. Kilgore. The tent was set up in the middle of a pasture in "Randolph Community" close to Paoli, Oklahoma. 

William went on to graduate with a B.A. degree from Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma in 1954. Afterward, he became a full-time student, and did some farm work as well. After graduating, Brother Parkey taught in Apostolic Faith School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where R.C. Wise was principle of the school.

Brother Parkey accepted his call into the ministry in 1952. In 1953 he was licensed with the United Pentecostal Church during a district conference in Claremore, Oklahoma. He was elected to serve as Secretary of the Pentecostal Conqurers in 1953. He became President of the Pentecostal Conqurers in 1955. Later he became Promotional Director for Harvestime Radio Broadcast, and served from 1963-1964.

On July 4, 1961 William Coffey Parkey became engaged to Miss Betty Lou Morgans. On September 1, 1961 they were united in Holy Matrimony. Four children was born to this union. Brother Parkey's first pastorate began in September, 1958, at "The Oneness Pentecostal Church" in Sperry, Oklahoma. He served there until December, 1963. During his pastorate in Sperry, he started a daughter work in Independence, Kansas in 1962. His second pastorate was in 1965 at the First Pentecostal Church in Kansas City, Missouri, founded by the late Winfred I. Black. He held this pastorate until August, 1974. While pastoring in Kansas City, Brother Parkey became President of Gateway Bible College in St. Louis, Missouri in 1968. He served the College until January 1, 1970. In1974, he became President once again of Gateway, and served in that position until August, 1980.

In August 1980, he moved to Popular Bluff, Missouri and began serving as pastor of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church. In 1983 a new church was built, and the name of the church was changed to Cornerstone Tabernacle. Brother Parkey has authored one book entitled, "Treasure and Truths" published in 2006. He has written 25 songs with 11 having been published. One of his most recognized songs is "Don't Let Me Forget". Brother Parkey has also written 200 poems. W.C. Parkey is a man of integrity! He has built a strong legacy over the course of his illustrious ministry, and will definately be remembered in the annuals of Apostolic church history as a man who loved truth. He has stood for truth and defended it with a passion. Audio Recording's of Brother W.C. Parkey are available in our Resource Department.

Evangelist Mattie Poole

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World

1903 ~ 1968

Mattie (Robinson) Poole, the daughter of Minnie and Clark Robinson, was born June 13, 1903, in Memphis, Tennessee. After her mother passed, at an early age, she came to Chicago to live with her father. She attended grammer and high school on Chicago's south side. In 1921, she was united in holy matrimony to Charles E. Poole. Mattie was an accomplished pianist and piano teacher. In earlier years, many of our churches enjoyed her beautiful music. She attended Chicago Musical College and also Chicago Conservatory of Music. She was also tutored by Lawyer Glassman.

She attended the Apostolic Faith Church under the leadership of Elder Schooler and Bishop John S. Holly. She was baptized in Jesus' Name by Elder G.T. Haywood at the age of 17. She was called into the ministry at the age of 18. As a young woman, she realized the necessity of prayer, and took four hours a day as her prayer time. Some years later she came to the west side with her husband and was instrumental in establishing the Bethlehem Tabernacle, now known as Bethlem Healing Temple.

For a number of years, she worked untiringly as the assistant pastor of this church. Her ministry was a ministry of faith. The Lord endowed her with the gift of healing, and thousands have been healed through her ministry. She was an organizer and founder of numerous auxiliareies in the church.

Sister Poole was a great lover of children and older people, always remembering and making allowences for them. It was because of her love for children that Bible Schools have been started in Chicago, Brooklyn, Atlanta, and Boston. This does not include Bible Schools that have been started in other churches becaues of the inspiration they got by attending the Bible School in Chicago. She, along with her husband, Bishop Poole, and her co-workers, traveled extensively in healing campaigns across the country, where thousands have been baptized in Jesus' Name and healed of many, many complaints, diseases, and afflictions, and a great number filled with the Holy Ghost.

She believed in strict holiness and taught it whereever she would go. Out of these campaigns, were born the Bethlehem Healing Temples of Atlanta, Brooklyn, and Boston, to which she served as assistant pastor. She saw the need of spreading the gospel by way of radio, as well as through literature and records. These are just some of the many, many things that she has been instrumental in during her life, but her works are too numerous to tell. Her love, compassion, advice, counsel, fidelity, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and hospitality shall always be remembered.

After a few months of illness, this great warrior fell on sleep on Friday, September 13, 1968

Rev Paul Price United Pentecostal Church International 1922 ~ Present   Paul Price was born on February 14, 1922 at Brookhaven, Mississippi. Until he was about thirteen years old, he lived in Jackson and Rolling Fork. At age twelve, he received the Holy Ghost in a revival meeting held on the front porch of his uncles home.  He had no church or pastor at that time to keep the many who had received the Holy Ghost together, and many became scattered with their newfound faith.

The family then moved to Kerman, California, where a little church began in an outdoor tent meeting.  It was at this time that Paul gave his life to Jesus Christ to never look back. It was a highlight year, for he also finished high school that same year.

Elder Brother Toole became his pastor, whom Paul claims as the only pastor of his life. He valued his ministry and loved him until the day Brother Toole died when he was ninety-two years old.

In the year of 1942, at the ripe age of nineteen, Brother Price moved to Sacramento and met his wife to be, Alyce Hammond.  May 3rd became the day of celebration as his seventeen-year-old bride and he took up their residence in a small house behind their grandmothers place.

Three daughters were born to them: Gaylyne, Renee and Karla.  Renee and her husband, John Noyes, have a son Brondin. Karla and her husband, Keith Green, have two daughters Erica and Andrea, and Erica and her husband, Scott Lankford have the Prices first great-grandson, Brice.

Before long, a knock at the door of their home opened up to Brother and Sister Toole Sr, who had been awakened to hear the Lord speak to get up and travel to Sacramento; tell Paul to leave their haven for it was time to start their ministry.

In time, the Tooles gave up the work in the little country church, and Brother Price spent the next four years pastoring his home church. While there, he received a call from God to go to Napa, California to start a home missions church, and has been there for fifty-four years.

He served in every department of the Western District in some position except for Ladies Auxiliary. He was elected as the District Superintendent of the Western District in 1965. He served at that time on the General Board for thirty-four years and was a part of many committees. He also was chairman of the Building Committee to raise money for the new Headquarters building in St. Louis, MO. He resigned the office as District Superintendent after serving in that position for thirty-four years, and likes to addand lived happily ever after.