The primary and fundamental doctrine of this organization shall be the Bible standard of complete salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.

We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all come into the unity of the faith while admonishing all brethren that they shall not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body.

We believe that the bible is the infallible word of God penned by men as the Holy Spirit moved on them. Although it wrote many years ago, its truths remain relevant in this day and age. We must accept it in its entirety.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the living God made flesh (John 1:1-14) who came to earth to save us from our sins.

We are born into sin (Romans 3:23), and if we continue in our sin (Romans 6:23), we are bound to suffer for eternity in hell, a place intended for satan. Just as Jesus died, we must die to our sins in repentance. Repentance is more than merely feeling sorry that we’ve done wrong. It is a willingness to turn away from those sins.

Just as Jesus was buried, we must also be buried (baptized). We are baptized for the remission of our sins. We must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ as it was performed in the bible (Acts 19:4-5; 2:38; 4:12).

Once we are figuratively dead and buried, we must be resurrected as Jesus rose from the dead. We are resurrected into a new life with Him by being filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:2) evidenced by speaking in other tongues (Acts 19:6; 2:1-4, 37-39).

We believe worship should be a time of refreshing and rejuvenation. Throughout the word of God, his people praised Him with exuberance out of the abundance of their hearts. Psalm 134:2 tells us to lift our hands in the sanctuary. We play instruments and clap our hands because Psalm 150 instructs us to “Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.” Our worship should be an outward expression of what we feel in our hearts. When you visit First Church, you will see, feel and hear worship because it is in our hearts. Experience God like you’ve never felt Him before.

If you have any questions regarding our beliefs, we would be glad to set up a home bible study with you. Feel free to contact us and request a bible study, and we will come to your home or wherever you wish and open up God’s word and examine it together. We have a variety of bible studies ranging from 1 hour to 12 weeks in length. Let us know in person or by filling out the contact form below.

We lift our hands in praise because in the Bible we read, "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord" (Psalm 134:2).

We sing with all our hearts because in the Bible we read, "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise" (Psalm 98:4).

We play musical instruments because in the Bible we read, "And all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments" (2 Samuel 6:5).

We clap and shout unto God because in the Bible we read, "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph" (Psalm 47:1).

We dance before the LORD because in the Bible we read, "Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs" (Psalm 150:4).

We testify publicly because in the Bible we read, "I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee" (Psalm 22:22).

We anoint with oil for divine healing because in the Bible we read, "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord" (James 5:14).

We allow the operation of the spiritual gifts because in the Bible we read, "When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation" (1 Corinthians 14:26).

First Church of Oakwood is a part of a much larger organization called the United Pentecostal Church International. The United Pentecostal Church International (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 in the United States and Canada grew to 4,400 churches (including daughter works and preaching points) and 9,234 ministers in 2012. It reported works in 203 nations outside the U.S. and Canada in the same year with 36,804 churches and preaching points, 22,129 licensed ministers, 853 missionaries, and a constituency of 2.4 million. The international fellowship consists of national organizations that are united as the Global Council of the UPCI, which the general superintendent of the UPCI chairs. The total constituency is estimated at 3 million.

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 UPCI is 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 general organization embraces a modified presbyterian system in that ministers meet in sectional, district, and general conferences to elect officials and to conduct business of the organization. The highest governing body of the UPCI is the General Conference, and between conferences it is governed by the Board of General Presbyters (General Board). Its chief officers are a general superintendent, a general secretary-treasurer, and two assistant general superintendents. World Evangelism Center is the UPCI headquarters building located in Hazelwood, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. It houses offices for its general officials, eight divisions, the Pentecostal Publishing House, and the Center for the Study of Oneness Pentecostalism with an attached gift shop. Among the endorsed institutions of the UPCI are six Bible colleges, a Christian college, a graduate school, an three ministry training institutes, a children's home, a residency for troubled young men, a ministry to those addicted to alcohol and other drugs, an adoption agency with a home for unwed mothers, a chaplaincy for prisoners, a radio ministry, a church-based ministry training institute, an agency for community educational services, and an international relief agency. It also endorses chaplains to the military.

If you are interested in knowing more about us or would like to get plugged in locally, please fill out the form below and let us know how we can reach you.