WHO WE ARE
The First United Pentecostal Church International (FUPCI) is a member of, and affiliated with, the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) Global Council. Affiliation with the Global council means that the national church in Nigeria is part of the International fellowship of the UPCI.
The UPCI is a Oneness Pentecostal organization with churches, ministers, and members across the globe. With roots anchored firmly in the Bible and a vision for ministering to communities around the world, the UPCI embraces its mission to carry the whole gospel to the whole world by the whole church.
The UPCI has been among the fastest-growing church organizations since it was formed in 1945 by the merger of the Pentecostal Church Incorporated and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ. From 521 churches in 1945, the UPCI has grown to more than 42,000 churches (including preaching points), 41,000 credentialed ministers, and 5.1 million constituents worldwide. The UPCI currently has a presence in 195 of the world’s 210 nations, as well as 35 territories.The international fellowship consists of national organizations that are united as the Global Council of the UPCI, which is chaired by the general superintendent of the UPCI.
The UPCI emerged out of the Pentecostal movement that began with a Bible school in Topeka, Kansas, in 1901 and with the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California, in 1906. It traces its organizational roots to 1916, when a large group of Pentecostal ministers began to unite around the teaching of the oneness of God and water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
The governmental structure of the FUPCI and UPCI are basically congregational in that local churches are self-governing: the congregation elects its pastor and other leaders, owns its property, decides its budget, establishes its membership, and conducts all necessary business.
The FUPCI general organization embraces a system in that ministers meet in district and general conferences to elect officials and to conduct business of the organization. The highest governing body of the FUPCI is the General Conference, and between conferences it is governed by the Executive Board. The Executive Board’s membership consists of a national superintendent, assistant national superintendent, national secretary, national secretary, national evangelism director, bible school president, and three district superintendents.
The UPCI World Headquarters is located in Weldon Spring, Missouri, USA.
