History of The Church of the Living God, The Pillar and Ground of the Truth

 

The Church of The Living God, The Pillar and Ground of The Truth, was organized by John Solom Christian. John S. Christian was a black man born to James and Clasey Christian, poor unlearned parents of Panola County, Mississippi. He attended public school and by his own admission lived a sinful life until 1891. He attended the Baptist church as a youth and young man, but was never baptized, seeing certain things that he felt uncomfortable with. During October 1891, he met his half brother, William M. Christian, who had come out from the Baptist church and started what he called the Christian Friendship Work, which would later become The Church of the Living God, Christian Workers For Fellowship (CWFF). He baptized his brother John at Little Rock, Arkansas in December of 1891. 

 

During 1891-1892, he was the first to find out and charter The Church of The Living God, The Pillar and Ground of The Truth (PGT), - 1st Timothy 3:15. Thus establishing two organizations bearing the same name, only distinguished by their motto: CWFF and PGT. He traveled afoot, horseback, vehicle, railway, steamship, for thousands of miles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, etc. He taught and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to thousands and many were converted to Christ. He ordained blacks, whites and native American men. He purchased six printing presses and printing materials. He also faced persecution, hunger, thirst and imprisonment. He was almost mobbed, shot and lynched for the cause of Christ. Later, the church work began to spread east and west; Bishops governing Dioceses and Overseers over Districts, Pastors and Elders. Under these Bishops, churches began to spring up all around the country. Over eighty years ago, These leaders came to form the National Assembly of the Church of The Living God (PGT), of Muskogee, Oklahoma. Along with the National Assembly of Churches of The Living God (CWFF), there are many “family” churches around the country. There are also several that are so named, however, they are independent of the national organization.

 

We believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. In Jesus Christ, his son; born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate,crucified dead and buried, but rose the third day according to the Holy Scripture, he ascended into Heaven where he now sits on the right hand of God the Father. We believe in the Holy Ghost, The Holy Church of God, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.