Did you know that the Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church’s story begins long before its current building? Its roots trace back to Paul Palmer a Maryland native who arrived in North Carolina in 1720. Palmer wasn’t just a preacher. He was also a significant political figure and landowner. His ministry began in 1726 in Chowan County. He established the first Free Will Baptist church near Cisco in 1727. This wasn’t just any church. It was the starting point of the Free Will Baptist movement in North Carolina. Joseph Parker became the first pastor of this pioneering church.
The Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church’s history is a tapestry woven from different threads. It blends the Free Will Baptist tradition with the fervor of the Pentecostal revival. The early Free Will Baptists distinguished themselves theologically from Particular Baptists. They believed God desired salvation for all and that it was a matter of individual free will. This belief shaped the church’s identity.
The journey of the Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church wasn’t without its trials. In 1837 a proposed fellowship with Benjamin Randall’s Free Will Baptist movement in the north crumbled over disagreements on slavery. A significant split occurred in 1911. Some churches and ministers disagreed with the conference’s adoption of the Pentecostal doctrine including the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. They formed a new group rejecting both the doctrine of entire sanctification and the Pentecostal experience.
The Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church however continued its growth. It experienced its own Pentecostal revival in 1907. This was a pivotal moment. G W Cashwell a Methodist minister who had experienced the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles introduced the Pentecostal message. It transformed the Cape Fear Conference of Free Will Baptists. Ministers like H H Goff and Willis B Strickland embraced the new faith and led their conference to incorporate Pentecostal beliefs into their doctrine. The Wilmington Conference also adopted this new Pentecostal faith.
The Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church as we know it wasn’t established until 1959. Three conferences the Cape Fear Wilmington and New River joined together. This merger combined numerous churches and ministers under one banner. The resulting church embraced its rich heritage and continued its missionary work both domestically and internationally.
Today the Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church stands as a testament to its enduring faith and adaptability. It has grown and expanded its ministry beyond North Carolina. It stands as a place of worship and community a continuation of a story that began centuries ago with a single church established by Paul Palmer. Its history is one of perseverance growth and a steadfast commitment to its beliefs. This church’s legacy continues to inspire and guide its members in their faith journey. The Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church is more than just a building. It’s a living testament to the power of faith and perseverance.