Our History

The Church of God (Holiness) began on March 29, 1883 with the founding of the Centralia, MO Church. The people involved were come outers from the Methodist Church and had been active in the Southwest Holiness Association. Their concern for leaving the mother church centered around their interest in propagating the doctrine of entire sanctification.  They believed that this was a biblical doctrine and described the teaching as a second definite work of God’s grace worked in the heart and life of the believer subsequent to regeneration, at which time the believer is cleansed of the effects of original sin and is completely submitted to the controlling hand of the Holy Spirit. The motivation of the born again believer who is entirely sanctified is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. The founding fathers felt that the mother church had neglected her responsibility to preach this message.  About 120 anglo congregations in the USA are affiliated with the Church of God (Holiness). A large concentration of these congregations are located in the states of Missouri and Kansas. The Church of God (Holiness) is an association of autonomous congregations. They are held together by common beliefs and an annual General Convention. Each congregation may send a delegate to the General Convention each June to represent its interests. One vote is allowed for every 25 members in the congregation who are born again. The main function of the General Convention is to elect members to various boards and committees from its delegates.  It is from this Convention that the Home Missions Board is elected to serve.