The Heart of America Council of Churches is the 14th District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. The "Pentecostal Assemblies of the World" is the continuation of the great revival that began at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, A.D. 33, and is founded upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ, Himself being the Chief Cornerstone. (Acts 2:1-12; Eph. 2:19,20) Al
though the true followers have been little known, yet from that time until now, there have always been earnest contenders for the "faith which was once delivered unto the saints." In the days of Tertulian (A.D. 207), Chryostom (4th Century), Christians of the 13th Century, the early Quakers, Wesley, Whitefield and Irving, the gifts and manifestations of the Apostolic Church were much in evidence as the revival spirit swept over the country. In Kansas (1901) the revival broke forth and moved southward to Texas, being known locally only, but finally reached Los Angeles, California (1906), from whence it spread throughout the whole earth, entering into every nation under heaven, penetrating the heathen darkness of India, China, Africa, and the Isles of the Sea fulfilling the commission of our Lord, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15-20; Matthew 28:18,19; Luke 24:47-49; Acts 1:4-11), and proclaiming the soon coming of the Lord. So great was the awakening, that in a few years in nearly every town of any size whatsover, there were witnesses to the Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit, (Luke 24:28; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4), and soon there began to appear in different localities, places of worship wherein the gifts of the Spirit were manifested, designating themselves by such names as: "The Apostolic Faith Mission, Pentecostal Mission, Apostolic Faith Assembly, Full Gospel Assembly or Mission, Assembly of God, " etc., their own common aim being to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" in the days of the Apostles, taking the Bible as their creed, discipline, and rule of order and charter. Our chief aim is to glorify our Saviour, even Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; that we should show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light; and that we may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom we shine as lights in the world, holding forth the Word of Life, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide their feet into the way of peace. (See Titus 2:13,14; I Peter 2:9; Philippians 2:15,16; Luke 1:79). Our duty is to lift the fallen; visit the sick; strengthen the weak; encourage the faint-hearted; comfort the feeble-minded; point the lost to the way of salvation and urge all believers to seek a spirit-filled life (Eph. 5:18; Acts 19:1-16) and prepare for the coming of the Lord. (James 1:27; I Thess. 5:4; Mark 16:15-18; Matthew 25:1-13). Moreover it is our indispensable duty, as partakers of the "royal priesthood" (I Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10), to offer supplications, prayer, intercessions, and giving thanks for all men; for kings, presidents, governors, magistrates, and all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all Godliness and honesty; (I Timothy 2:14; Romans 13:1-14) and to submit ourselves "to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake", whether it be king, as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by Him for the punishment of the evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well; so long as these ordinances do not infringe upon the liberty of service towards God according to the dictation of the heart or conscience. (See I Peter 2:13-17; Titus 3:1-12; Matthew 22:21).
