This year marks a milestone in the history of the Apostolic Faith Church—120 years of God’s unfailing faithfulness. It was in April of 1906 that a small group of believers gathered inside a home on Bonnie Brae Street in Los Angeles, California, seeking God through prayer and fasting. Their earnest desire was not for recognition or worldly achievements, but for a deeper experience with God. The Lord answered their prayers, pouring out His Spirit in a way that ignited a revival that would reach around the world.

Among those impacted by that revival was our founder, Sister Florence Crawford. Later that same year, she brought the message of Pentecost to Portland, Oregon, where God continued to move in hearts and lives. Souls were saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Spirit. From those early days until now, the mission of the Apostolic Faith Church has remained unchanged: proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and helping people experience the transforming power of God.

As we reflect on our 120-year journey, we are reminded that our history revolves around a faithful God who continues to answer prayer and transform lives. One of the greatest evidences of God’s faithfulness has been the preservation of sound Biblical truth in the Apostolic Faith. Since its inception, faithful leaders and workers have emphasized that genuine Christianity is effected by an inward transformation that produces Christlike character. A 1957 sermon by Brother Ray Crawford (read it here) reminds us that charity—the pure love of God—is the hallmark of Christian life. True Christianity is not measured by eloquence, knowledge, spiritual gifts, or outward achievements, but by the love of God dwelling in the heart and expressed through humility, patience, forgiveness, and holy conduct. This emphasis on spiritual transformation rather than mere religious profession helped preserve our commitment to the faith once delivered to the saints.

God’s faithfulness is also seen in the countless testimonies of ordinary people whose lives have been changed by His grace. During the difficult years of the Great Depression, the Snyder family came to Portland burdened by hardship and uncertainty. Through the ministry of the Apostolic Faith Church, they were saved and their hope was renewed. As the years passed, they experienced God’s provision, healing, guidance, and care. Looking back over a lifetime of serving God, Sister Alice Snyder could simply testify, “He has never failed us."

Brother Shabeeb Nadeem of Pakistan is another beautiful example of God’s faithfulness (read his testimony here). With almost no Gospel light shining in his country, God orchestrated a remarkable connection between him and one of our churches in Canada. Brother Shabeeb experienced the same Holy Ghost power that fell at Bonnie Brae Street in 1906, proving that God has not changed and He is still moving today!

For 120 years, God has guided the Apostolic Faith Church through seasons of economic challenges, wars, cultural shifts, and more. He has raised up faithful ministers and workers who preserved the message of the Gospel. Most importantly, He has remained the same faithful God. As we mark this anniversary, we do so with gratitude for the pioneers who faithfully followed God’s leading, and with renewed determination to preserve the Biblical truths that have been passed down to us. We stand in expectation of a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit, confident that the God who has been faithful for 120 years will continue to guide, bless, and empower His people until the return of Jesus Christ.