United Pentecostal Church

United Pentecostal Church was formed in 1945 by the merger of the Pentecostal Church Incorporated and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ and originally emerged out of the Pentecostal movement of Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles and later Topeka, Kansas. Pentecostal faiths believe Miraculous Works of the Holy Spirit and that the Holy Spirit takes a hold of a person and they should express it by singing, dancing, jumping, and other movements. 

I attended the 2pm service at the New Life United Pentecostal Church 

The Mission of the New Life Church is to "exalt God through heartfelt sincere worship,  bible-based teaching, and anointed preaching." The whole service was conducted in praise - first singing praise, then prayer and healing, a sermon full of the praise of God, then they concluding the service with more healing prayers. In the true pentecostal vein, the members of the church were very vocal - speaking in tongues, praying out loud, singing joyfully. Some of them jumped up and down and ran around. They were very excited about the time they spent in prayer and praise. It was by far the most spirited pentecostal service that I have attended. Their healing is done by the laying of hands on each other, anointing with oil, and speaking tongues over one another. 

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:13

Pastor Steven Hamilton gave an exuberant sermon. He showed a great humility for his faith and God's will. He encouraged us to always go to God for direction and spoke of not holding the words of ministers or any man above the words of God. He asked if we have surrendered our Affection, Intellect, and Will to God?  Only those who have surrendered to God will hear the guiding voice of God. 

"Only God can stop your crash course to Destruction."  - Pastor Hamilton

The members showed a great dedication to their faith and humbleness to the Lord. 

Note: Pentecostal women generally wear skirts and wear their hair up even thought there is no official rule on that. Pentecostal women do not cut their hair so that is the reason so many of them wear it up. 

THANK YOU New Life United Pentecostal Church for sharing your Spirit Filled worship with me. 

God's House Church

Apostolic Church is a pentecostal faith that believes in the "infallibility of the Bible, and it is founded on faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God" and seeks to have a faith practice based on first-century Christianity, in other words based on being an Apostle of Christ. The church teaches applying New Testament standards to everyday life. Most Apostolic Churches are part of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW). 

Founded in 1916 by an Evangelical Prayer team the Pettifords, God's House has been the hub of a vibrant and God loving community in Albuquerque for close to a Century. Eventhough God's House was one of the founding churches of the Mountain States Council which is a PAW organization, they no longer seem to be a member of that Organization. 

I attended God's House Church 11am Sunday Morning Celebration. 

God's House is an ethnically rich and diverse congregation that welcomes all to Worship God.  

A wonderful group of young adults performed the music for the service and they did a fantastic job. As is the norm in Pentecostal services - the congregation participated during the music - singing, clapping, and standing. 

And the Levites, of the children of the Korhites, STOOD UP to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.                                  ~ 2 Chronicles 20:19

NM State Treasurer, James Lewis, spoke briefly and introduced gubernatorial Candidate, Gary King  spoke to the congregation and shared a little about himself and his commitment to giving back to the community. 

Hallelujah 

The guest speaker was Pastor Barbara Norfor whose home church is in Roswell NM. Pastor Barbara was a Powerhouse of Praise. She encouraged us that even in the face of adversity - Don't Stop Praying - Don't Stop Believing - Because Something Good is Coming! It is vital to not give into the Despair of your circumstances and whatever comes your way DO NOT let it change your relationship with God. Glorify God in the life you live and the words you speak. She emphasized that rather than complaining about the things you don't want in life or that are challenges - everytime you open your mouth, it should be to praise God. 

Congregants who had prayer needs were asked to come to the front and prayed over.  

Their tithing ceremony was unique. Everyone first stood and blessed their offering then the ushers directed everyone up front where they deposited their envelopes into baskets. After the tithing procession many congregants left, but for those who stayed we witnessed an individual get baptized. 

THANK YOU God's House for letting me join in your Celebration of God. 

The Potter's House

Pentecostal churches have a unique history in that they were the first interracial churches in the United States. In the early 1900's, one of the biggest churches that contributed to the spreading of the Pentecostal faith, the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angelos; held services that were ethnically diverse. The denomination, Potter's House Christian Fellowship, is a church that was founded by Pastor Wayman Mitchell and split from the Foursquare Pentecostal church in the late '60's. It experienced a large surge of growth during the Jesus People Movement. The unique denomination now has over 2,000 congregations worldwide. 

They believe "The Holy Spirit is God, the Lord and giver of life, who was active in the Old Testament, and given to the Church in fullness at Pentecost."

GOD'S FIRE NEVER BURNS OUT

The name of the church came from a biblical reference: 
The Lord spoke his word to Jeremiah. He said, “Go to the potter’s house. There I will give you my message” ~ Jeremiah 18:1-2

Pentecostal religions have several distinct traditions - Glossolalia or speaking in tongues, Baptism with the Holy Spirit (salvation), and Revivals.  Glossolalia is believed to be a person being filled with the Holy Spirit, there are generally three types:

1. Tongues as a Sign to Nonbelievers - Acts 2:11
2. Tongues for the Strengthening of the Church - Requires Interpretation - 1 Corinthians 14:5
3. Tongues as a Private Prayer Language - Romans 8:26, 1 Corinthians 14:4 

I attended the Albuquerque Potter's House Christian Center 6pm Sunday Service. In jeans and a sweater, I was underdressed. Almost all of the women wore dresses and the men wore dress shirts, slacks, and a tie or even suits. 

The service opened up with lively group singing and prayers. During the prayers, the pastor and people in the audience spoke in tongues at times. 


Pastor Lee Wilson gave the sermon. He spoke of believers being a light in the World ~ the smallest of lights can illuminate the darkest of places. He called upon us to not allow things of the material world to come between us and God. He preached that to have a powerful relationship with God, all we have to do is ask. He shared that the true Freedom of life is allowing the Power of God to work, uncontrollably in our lives. 

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.  ~ John 8:36

After the sermon, most of the congregation went up front and knelt down to pray and receive God's blessings. 

Many people came up and greeted me before and after service, they seemed like a very close group of believers. 

They also have live music and entertainment on Saturday nights. 

THANK YOU Albuquerque Potter's House for sharing your form of worship with me. 

Note: This denomination is not associated with the Mega Church The Potter's House in Dallas or Denver.