The History of the Midwestern District Council

The history of any Pentecostal organization can not be written properly without starting with the beginning of Pentecostalism in the United States in the twentieth century. There was a great Pentecostal revival commonly referred to as the “Azusa Street Revival” that began in 1906 in Los Angeles, California. Most Pentecostal groups in the United States can trace their roots directly or indirectly back to the Azusa Street Revival. It was conducted by a man named William Seymour who had preached the Pentecostal message that emphasized receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

Later, some Pentecostals accepted the revelations of water baptism in the name of Jesus, and that Jehovah God of the Old Testament was Jesus Christ of the New Testament. They believed Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins …” is God’s plan of salvation. These Pentecostals were referred to as Apostolic Pentecostals. After 1915, it was clear that this was the doctrine of the Pentecost Assemblies of the World, Inc. It was the desire of the founding fathers of the Midwestern District Council to be a part of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World that embraced the Apostolic Pentecostal Doctrine.

Elder Robert C. Lawson was a great pioneer of Pentecost who traveled throughout the country preaching the Apostolic message and establishing churches. He had a special anointing on his ministry that enabled him to go into cities where there had been no previous Pentecostal activity and find a place to preach. Many souls would come to be saved. He came to St. Louis, Missouri and preached at Central Baptist Church (one of the oldest churches in the city). A small group of people accepted his message, embraced the Apostolic Faith. Elder Lawson loved the group, but he knew he was not going to reside in St. Louis for an extended period. He introduced Elder Austin A. Layne, then of New York, New York, to the group in 1918. Elder Austin Layne became the leader of this group and the Lord blessed the group tremendously under his leadership.

Elder Austin Layne established the Temple Church of Christ in 1922 and is recognized as the oldest Apostolic church in the area. Later, other churches were established namely, Bethesda Temple Church pastor Elder Morris Golder, Lively Stone Church of God pastor Elder Phillip L. Scott, Refuge Temple Church pastor Elder William Thompson, New Bethel Temple pastor Elder E. C. Seales, Christ Temple pastor Elder Walter Scott and Good News Temple pastor Elder E. L. Gordon and the church pastored by Elder E. M. Lowery (name of the church not known to the author, and others). Some of the ministers of these churches were responsible for founding and organizing the Midwestern District Council.

Because there was great fellowship among the pastors who were located in the Midwest (particularly those located within 150 mile radius of the capital of Missouri), and these pastors desired to organize under the banner of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. in 1945 this group of pastors from the Midwestern region attended the National Convention of the P.A.W., Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana to appeal to the Executive Board of the P.A.W. for permission to start a council, and that the council be named the Midwestern District Council. The executive gave the brethren from the Midwest the permission by common consent to organize the Midwestern District Council that would eventually be comprised of Southern Illinois and Missouri.

In 1945, Bishop James Leo Sipes was assigned to the newly formed Midwestern District Council as its Diocesan.

The Midwestern District Council was organized as the 12th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. The first general officers were:

Chairman ........... District Elder Austin A. Layne
Vice Chairman .... Elder E. M. Lowery
Secretary ........... Elder Morris E. Golder
Treasurer ........... Elder E.C. Seales

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Under Bishop Sipes' term as diocesan, District Elder Austin A. Layne was a strong organizer as Chairman and helped the Diocese to form many important components of the Council. The Women's Auxiliary and the Usher's Alliance were formed. The Young People's Organization was

In 1950, the people were impressed with District Elder Layne’s leadership as Chairman of the Council and therefore the members of the Council composed a letter and sent it to Bishop Grimes, the Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. requesting that District Elder Layne be made the Bishop of the Midwestern District Council. The Executive Board accepted the request and in 1951, appointed District Elder Layne as Bishop of the Midwestern District Council. District Elder Layne was elevated to the Bishopric and was also elected to the Executive Board of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.

The following nine churches were a part of the M.D.C. when Bishop Layne became diocesan:

Bethesda Temple Church, St. Louis, Missouri – Elder James A. Johnson, Pastor.
Temple Church of Christ, St. Louis, Missouri – Bishop Austin Layne, Pastor.
Christ Temple, Kansas City, Missouri – Elder Walter Scott, Pastor.
Good News Temple, Kansas City, Missouri – Elder E. L. Gordon, Pastor.
Shining Light Pentecostal Church, St. Louis, Missouri – Elder J.J. Griffin, Pastor.
El-Bethel Temple, Kinloch, Missouri – Elder John Jones, Pastor.
Greater New Bethel Temple, East St. Louis, Illinois – District Elder E. C. Seals, Pastor.
Lively Stone Church, St. Louis, Missouri – Elder Phillip L. Scott, Pastor.
Refuge Temple Church, East St. Louis, Illinois – Elder William F. Thompson, Pastor.

Bishop Austin Layne was an example of progress for the council. He served as Bishop of the Midwestern District Council until his death in 1967.

Bishop Phillip L. Scott Pastored the Lively Stone Church of God at 4015 St. Louis Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri. He served as District Elder under Bishop Austin Layne. He became Diocesan of the Midwestern District Council after Bishop Layne’s death in 1967. Many churches in the district were organized and named after the church he Pastored “The Lively Stone Church of God.” He made a practice of visiting three or four churches on Sunday’s after his morning services. He would always leave a nice offering at the church to encourage the minister. Under Bishop Scott’s leadership the council grew from about 25 churches to about 60 churches. The Health Professionals and Men’s Ministry were also added to the Council.

Bishop Scott was thought of as a good leader both spiritually and administratively.
During his administration he was both Diocesan and Chairman of the council. Bishop Scott assigned a number of men to the office of District Elder. The council produced the constitution for the council and ratified its’ first set of By-laws in 1978. It was during his administration the Health Professionals and Men’s Ministry were added as auxiliaries of the Council. The Ministerial Seminar held during the Council on Saturday mornings that was taught by the late District Elder Jesse L. Watts was instituted by Bishop Scott. The monthly Pastor’s Breakfast was established to teach, answer questions and to provide fellowship among the Pastors. On Friday night of the Council, “Bishop’s Night,” he would stir and excite the people of God with his preaching, reaffirming the Apostolic Faith and inspiring the ministers of the Council to continue their work.

On February 7, 1987 after a short illness Bishop Scott departed this life. It was a sad day in the Midwestern District Council. The funeral services for Bishop Scott went on for two days and approximately four thousand people gathered for the services.

Bishops and public leaders from across the country gathered to pay their last respects to a great soldier who had gone home. Bishop James A. Johnson delivered the eulogy. Later, a memorial stone was laid on the grounds of the Lively Stone Church with the names of all M.D.C. pastors engraved.

Upon the demise of Bishop Phillip L. Scott, Bishop Johnson was transferred from the 14th Episcopal District where he served as Diocesan to the 12th Episcopal District Council in 1987.

Bishop Johnson appointed four Suffragan bishops and nine district Elders. The Council was divided into jurisdictions which created twenty new jobs and the expansion of the work of the Lord. The number of churches in the Council grew to about 60 churches. About 80 churches were members of the Council under Bishop Johnson’s Administration. Additionally, the Single People’s Alliance was added to the Council.

At the time he became the diocesan of the M.D.C. he was also the Presiding Bishop of the P.A.W., Inc. while his wife, first Lady Sister Josephine B. Johnson concurrently held the office of President of the International Missionary and Christian Women’s Auxiliary. (The first time in the history of the P.A.W. that a husband and wife held two of the top positions in the organization at the same time).

Bishop Johnson is recognized as an outstanding pulpiteer and leader. Bishop Samuel Layne describes him as, “a well studied man, one of the greatest preachers of Pentecost in America, yet humble and committed to the faith. He is known for his clean life and for being an example of the believers.”

Bishop Johnson’s considerate and diplomatic style of leadership has earned him the respect of both the pastors and lay members of the Midwestern District Council. He believes in excellence and encourages the Council to strive to be the best it can be in every area.

The following are some of the vents and accomplishments that have occurred under Bishop Johnson’s administration:

• Four Suffragan Bishops were appointed. They are Suffragan Bishops Jesse Battle, Sr., Paul H. Evans, James Price, and John Pettiford. At their elevation District Elder Jesse L. Watts became the District’s Senior District Elder.


• The Council was re-organized into Jurisdictions with each of the four Suffragan Bishops heading a Jurisdiction. This created about 20 new administrative positions within the Council.


• Twenty five new pastors applied for membership with the M.D.C.


• About eighty churches have been a part of the Council under Bishop Johnson’s Administration.


• Nine new District Elders have been appointed: District Elders A. John McCoy, Gregory Wells, Elliot Coleman, John D. Layne, Tommie Harsley, Lawrence Brown, Sr., Larry O. Jones, Lloyd H. Clemons and John Cornell.


• The first woman director was named, Pastor Illona W. Dickson was appointed as director of the M.D.C. Sunday School Auxiliary.


• The Foreign Missions Department (Evangelist Natalie Starr, President) has reported the highest amount of contributions to the National Body in the History of the M.D.C.


• The M.D.C. Choir (Elder Roland Booker, President) produced a new hit compact disc (CD), “Well done my good and faithful servant.”


• The Midwestern District Council became incorporated.


• A new administrative office of the M.D.C. is presently being added to the new wing of the Bethesda Temple Church where Bishop Johnson pastors at 5401 Bishop James A. Johnson Lane.

Bishop Johnson desires for the Council was to be unified. He encourages the members not to be afraid to take on new challenges and to grow in unity and love. He has given the motto, Unity through love.” It is his desire to see all the brethren caring for one another and working together. Thank God for Bishop James A. Johnson.

The year 2000 was a momentous one for the Midwestern District Council. After Thirteen years of guiding the Midwestern District Council, the Honorable Bishop James A. Johnson, retired from his post as the Diocesan of this venerable and august body.

This change of course necessitated that a new Diocesan be appointed by the Executive Board of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. After much prayer, family consultation with his gracious wife, First Lady Phyllis Scott, and much searching of the soul, the Honorable Bishop Alphonso Scott accepted the helm of the Midwestern District Council.

Bishop Alphonso Scott is a son of the M.D.C. in the truest sense of the word. His father was this Council’s second Diocesan, the late and Honorable Bishop P.L. Scott. Upon the death of Bishop P.L. Scott in 1987, the then District Elder Alphonso Scott succeeded him as the Pastor of the great Lively Stone Church of God in St. Louis. In 1990, Bishop Alphonso Scott was elevated to the office of Bishop for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., serving in its Thirty-eighth Episcopal diocese, being the island country of Haiti. After having served there for six years, he was transferred in 1995 to the First Apostolic Council of Kentucky and Tennessee, being the Eleventh Episcopal district.

Then in the year 2000, Bishop Alphonso Scott came into this the twelfth episcopal district, the great Midwestern District Council. As many observers of church life will attest, any transition comes with a certain amount of challenges. The Midwestern District was no exception. With The Midwestern District having had one of the greatest pulpiteers of the 21st century as its leader, it was apparent that succeeding such a man would be a challenge for anyone. It has been said that we all stand on the shoulders of giants (even the giants themselves). This has instilled many men with a “fear of failure”. Much potential has never seen the light of day because of this fear. However, undaunted by the challenge, Bishop Alphonso Scott stepped up and instituted the necessary steps to keep the M.D.C. moving toward the fulfillment of Divine purpose.

In addition, some local Pastors felt the need for “Revival” in our fellowship. The M.D.C. had always received the finest of Spiritual instruction under the leadership of Bishop James A. Johnson. But there was a thirst for the rekindling of Pentecostal fire in fellowship, that some had allowed to burn low. Bishop Scott brought just what was needed at that time. Continuing in the same spirit of the Council’s theme under Bishop Johnson’s leadership, “Unity through Love”, Bishop Scott captured the thought and coined the expression in the Council’s new theme “Together We Can !”

Along with the Council’s newly elected executive board , Suffragan Bishops Larry O. Jones and the then Elder Jesse Battle, Jr., Chairman and Vice Chairman, and for the very first time in M.D.C history, a woman became our General Secretary, Evangelist Barbara J. Cole. Rounding out the executive body was District Elder Terrance Coleman as Assistant General Secretary and Pastor Terrilyn Cunningham as our General Treasurer. This team lit the fuse that resulted in an explosion of Pentecostal fervor and enthusiasm.

These dynamics still flow under the leadership of Bishop Scott as Diocesan, to this very day. In 2006, a new team of executive officers headed by Suffragan Bishops John H. Pettiford, Jr. and Gregory Wells,Sr, as Chairman and Vice Chairman, along with Evangelist Cole as General Secretary. District Elder Elliot Coleman, assistant General Secretary; Elder Byron Thompson, Treasurer, and Elder Elmer Kirksey as assistant Treasurer respectively, has stepped in to assist Bishop Scott carry out his vision. As Aaron and Hur of old, these executives see their task clearly as holding up the hands of this modern day Moses. As of this writing, Bishop Scott remains the leading visionary for this great Council. The Council continues to grow numerically, financially and most of all spiritually. We are indeed blessed to have such a great leader as Bishop Alphonso Scott. At the writing of this History the MDC council consists of Sixty-six churches with others pending application approval.

Dated: 08Apr2008 // Posted: 09Apr2008