“Everyone counts” is not just a slogan. It is the heart of Pentecostals of San Antonio. Here we are at Dinn Drive. Let me tell you a story about the origins of Pentecostalism in San Antonio.
In the early 1900s people traveled from Indiana to Houston. They preached holiness. Many Houston residents accepted Jesus as their Savior. Some Houston saints had relatives in San Antonio. They shared their faith and these relatives were also saved.
The Houston saints were invited to San Antonio. The gospel spread quickly. Bishop G. T. Haywood led the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. He was asked to send a minister to San Antonio to baptize the new converts.
Bishop Robert C. Lawson was sent. Later he founded the Refuge Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ organization. Bishop Lawson began baptizing people in the name of Jesus. The number of new believers grew greatly. Bishop Lawson was inspired by the strong move of God in Texas and started field evangelism.
After Bishop Lawson left Elder D. A. Chenault was sent to Texas. Under his leadership many more souls were saved. Lincoln Park Temple became the headquarters for the Texas State Council churches. It was located on Iowa Street then. The gospel spread throughout Texas. Other ministers joined the movement. These included Elders Wilkerson North Sanders and Wauls. Great women also pioneered the Texas State Council. These included Sisters Menkens Lewis Davis Sinclair and Smith.
In 1913 Elder F.C.V. Ford held street meetings. These were on East Commerce and Chestnut Street. He moved his followers to Cherry Street at Center. His strict teachings and faith healing touched many people. People came from far away to see the dancing and shouting.
Later in 1913 Elder Ford’s deacons visited a relative in Houston. He heard a man preaching about the Holy Ghost. The deacon invited Elder R. C. Lawson to San Antonio. Elder Lawson accepted gladly.
Elder Ford was a strict teacher. He would interrupt evangelists if he disagreed with them. But he did not stop Elder Lawson from preaching about baptism in Jesus’ name. Instead Elder Ford told his members to “see Jesus”.
Many people believed and wanted to be baptized. There was a disagreement between Elders Ford and Lawson. It was about who would baptize the converts. Elder Lawson said that Elder Ford had not been baptized. Therefore he was not eligible to baptize others. Elder Ford asked who wanted to be baptized. Mother Nancy Powell said that the husbandman should be the first partaker. Elder Ford told her to leave the church if he could not baptize her.
Mother Powell and a large group left Elder Ford. They worshipped in her home. Other members included Mother Patterson Mother Della King and others. This group was happy and full of joy. They grew in number. Mother Powell’s home became too small. They decided to buy a place of worship. Sister Lucille Menkins and five others gave one hundred dollars each. They purchased a large Dance Hall at 817 Iowa Street. They named it the Lincoln Park Church of Christ.
Elder Lawson returned to San Antonio in 1916. He brought Elder Dunlap Chenault as the first pastor. The Radio Choir was under the direction of Brother Ezekiel Chris and his mother Sister Clark. Elder Chenault and his congregation were the first Pentecostal Church in San Antonio to worship at non-Pentecostal Churches.
Bishop G. T. Haywood and Elder Chenault organized the Southwestern District Council in the early 1920s.
In 1932 the church split. It was over disagreements about scripture. Elder Chenault left with a group and started another church on Connelly Street. Elder William Wilkerson became the second pastor of the Lincoln Park Church of Christ.
Today Pentecostals of San Antonio continues this legacy. It focuses on connecting people to Jesus. Pastor Joel Slayter leads the church. He preaches the Word and encourages people to live victoriously. Here at Pentecostals of San Antonio everyone is welcome. Everyone counts and everyone can experience God’s love.