Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ (ALJC) is a Oneness Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination formed in 1952 by the merger of the Assemblies of the Church of Jesus Christ, the Jesus Only Apostolic Church of God, and the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.[1] The organization describes itself as "a continuation of the great revival that began on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem, A.D. 30, and is founded upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief cornerstone, (Acts 2:1-41; Ephesians 2:19, 20)."[2]

Logo of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ.

History

Various groups throughout the country went by different names trying and striving to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Finally in the month of March, 1952, three groups known as the Assemblies of the Church of Jesus Christ, Jesus Only Apostolic Church of God, and the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, formulated a merger adopting the name Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is Apostolic in Doctrine and Teachings, and the Bible as their guide book.[3]

Since 1952 the following, among others, have served as General Chairman/General Superintendent of the organization:

  • David Mayo
  • Lester McGruder
  • Raymond Bishop
  • Don Johnson
  • Steve Wilson
  • Robert Martin
  • Kenneth Carpenter

Beliefs

In doctrine, the ALJC is similar to other Oneness Pentecostal churches. They believe in the oneness of God. The basic and fundamental doctrine of the Organization is the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance (Acts 2:4,38; John 3:5). [4]

Structure

The Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ has approximately 420 churches in North America with over 1500 licensed ministers. [5] Internationally the organization is currently supporting 20 missionaries who are overseeing works in 17 different nations and regions as well as numerous indigenous organizations which are affiliated with the ALJC in North America, South America and Africa. [6] The ALJC is primarily centered in Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas.[7]

The organization is led by an executive board, consisting of a general superintendent, three assistant superintendents (regional representatives from different regions of the United States), and a general secretary/treasurer. The current executive board is made up of the following ministers: Rev. Kenneth Carpenter (general superintendent), Rev. Jonathan Vazquez (1st assistant superintendent/Southern regional representative), Rev. Kenneth Allen (2nd assistant superintendent/Northern regional representative), Rev. Robert Wimberly (3rd assistant superintendent/Western regional representative), and Rev. Roger Gray (general secretary/treasurer).[8]

The Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ supports Parkersburg Bible College, New Beginnings Adoption program, an international Shortwave Radio broadcast called "The Apostolic Witness" and a monthly inter-organizational magazine titled "The Apostolic Witness." .[9]

References
  1. Reed, David A. (2002). "Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ". In Stanley M. Burgess (ed.). The new international dictionary of Pentecostal and charismatic movements (Rev. and expanded ed.). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Pub. House. p. 342. ISBN 0310224810.
  2. "Organization History of the ALJC". Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  3. "Organization History - ALJC".
  4. "Articles of Faith - ALJC".
  5. "ALJC Directory" (PDF).
  6. "World Missions - ALJC".
  7. "ALJC Directory" (PDF).
  8. "Executive Board of the ALJC". Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  9. "Departments of the ALJC". Retrieved 2008-02-09.
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