Falcon Union of 1911

On January 31, 1911, in Falcon, North Carolina, believers from the Fire-Baptized Holiness Church and the Pentecostal Holiness Church chose reconciliation over rivalry. In a small rural community known for plain living and earnest religion, ministers and lay delegates gathered with one aim: a stronger, undivided witness to Jesus Christ. Their union was not merely organizational. It was a public act of repentance and trust—laying down suspicions, personal preferences, and old wounds so that the gospel could advance.

Holiness and Spirit-Powered Prayer

The churches shared a deep hunger for holiness and a living experience of the Holy Spirit. They believed Christ calls His people to purity of heart and boldness of life, not as a badge of pride but as evidence of grace. Their meetings were marked by extended prayer, heartfelt singing, and altar ministry where seekers called on the Lord for forgiveness, sanctification, and Spirit-empowered service. The unity they pursued echoed the command: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

Evangelistic Courage

Early Pentecostal holiness believers often preached in borrowed buildings, brush arbors, and crowded homes. Many endured criticism for their fervor and their insistence that faith must bear fruit in a changed life. Yet they kept going—traveling long distances, praying for the sick, calling sinners to repentance, and urging believers to live as lights in dark places. Leaders and voices in the wider movement, including ministers such as Gaston B. Cashwell and Joseph H. King, helped shape a gospel mission that refused to separate Spirit power from scriptural obedience.

Growing Fellowship and Worldwide Name

The united body continued to grow and, in 1915, welcomed the Tabernacle Pentecostal Church, strengthening fellowship and extending evangelistic reach. Decades later, in 1975, the name International Pentecostal Holiness Church was adopted, reflecting an expanding commitment to take Christ’s saving message beyond local boundaries. The promise remained central: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses… to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).