SANTIAGO, Chile – The International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) and the First Methodist Pentecostal Church (PRIMP) of Chile met in Santiago, April 23, at the Jotabeche Church to celebrate 50 years of their affiliation and to reaffirm their commitment to work together to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In a worship service filled with exceptional music and praise to the Lord, leaders from both denominations shared their reflections on the history and importance of this beneficial relationship. General Superintendent A.D. Beacham, Jr., Bishop James Leggett, Bishop Chris Thompson, Bishop Talmadge Gardner, Dr. Vinson Synan and Dr. Dean Helland greeted the crowd of over 6,000 and expressed their appreciation for this unique partnership that bridges denominations and cultures. Bishop Eduardo Durán Castro from the First Methodist Pentecostal Church of Chile remarked, “This is a fruitful friendship in the Lord. May it last until the Lord returns.”
The halls of the Evangelical Cathedral of Chile rang with exuberant praise and worship as the Instrumental and Polyphonic Choir joined with the voices of the congregation and Children’s Choir to give honor to God.
The two denominations connected in 1966, when Dr. R.O. Corvin met Pastor Javier Vásquez at the World Congress of Evangelism in Berlin, Germany. The two immediately felt a kindred spirit as they discovered their common heritage of Pentecostal-Methodist roots. When the groups met at the Pentecostal World Conference in Rio de Janeiro a year later, they signed an affiliation agreement recognizing the two groups as equal churches. Dr. Vinson Synan penned the original document which was signed by Bishop J. A. Synan, Rev. A.D. Beacham, Bishop Memerio Mancilla, and Pastor Javier Vásquez.
IPHC Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham shared a timely word about the significance of 50 years as it represents the year of Jubilee, Pentecost, and our personal affiliation. He challenged the churches to be “fully Pentecostal” and to “sow our lives into the future generation.”
Bishops Doug Beacham and Eduardo Durán, along with other church leaders
In an act of solidarity, Bishops Doug Beacham and Eduardo Durán, along with other church leaders, signed a commemorative agreement reaffirming the affiliation between the two churches. Together, the groups will work to proclaim the gospel to the future generation and around the world.
Also present from the International Pentecostal Holiness Church were Rev. Max Barroso, director of The Awakening, Rev. Matt Bennett, director of People to People Ministries, Mrs. Janese Bennett, director of Communications, Rev. Terry Fowler, chief of staff, Dr. Harold Hunter, director of IPHC Archives and Research Center, Mrs. Susan Beacham, Mrs. Carolee Synan, and Mrs. Betty Thompson.
A video of the service is available here.
By Janese Bennett
