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Close your eyes. Listen. Can you hear it? The year is the mid 1930’s, the place is Tacoma, Washington and I hear shouting, praise, worship, and music. Music is the universal language of all people, and all were a part of what was going on. There were Caucasians, Native Americans, Filipino-Americans, and African Americans, united. United for one cause and one reason; to lift the name of Jesus. 

I can see it now Sis. Alice Bradford, Sis. Doris Bradford, and Sis. Peal Bender would play the piano. Sis. Cannon who we called the 3 finger players, and Bro. LM Roberts on the snare drum. Deacon Hooks and the banjo and guitar as well as Mother Adams. Wait, do I hear Bro. Ted playing his violin, and Mother ‘Nana’ Morris on the accordion. There was ukulele’s, harmonica’s and tambourines going, foot stomping and hand clapping, it was pure praise, but wait there’s more. Can you hear it? Listen. This the sound of water flowing, I can visualize the Saints being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, baptized in the name of Jesus at Wapato Park! The glory of God has fallen on a family and it spread like a wildfire from the Mid-West, to Down South, all the way up to the Pacific Northwest.

The Grand Annual Reunion was established 90 years ago under the late E.F. Morris, but the journey began in 1915 when Reverend J.H. Morris’s son became gravely ill. On the date of June 26, 1915, as the family kneeled and prayed in his sick room; they were in one place, at one time, on one accord, then suddenly, just as if we were watching the Acts of the Apostles play out, God poured out His Spirit on 16 total people. They all began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

Later Reverend Morris was led by the Holy Ghost to leave the Baptist Church and form a new denomination called the Church of God in Christ. Once established a new leader emerged in the person of J.E. Morris whom was the J.H. Morris’ son. Sixteen churched were later formed and their headquarters was in Memphis, Tennessee. This fellowship lasted 4 years until Elder Morris became dissatisfied with the State Charter in 1925, so he withdrew their fellowship and organized un a new name, “The Free Church of God in Christ.” In Tacoma, Washington, J.E. Morris had a sibling named E.F. Morris who established the “Full Gospel Pentecostal Missionary Association.” The brothers then made an agreement that if either passed away that the living Bishop would assume the position and continue the work.

J.E. Morris passed on and just as discussed E.F. Morris took over both communities of people. E.F. Morris then decided to incorporate the Free Church of God in Christ with the Full Gospel Pentecostal Missionary Association. He also consolidated the Western and Central Districts into one. With the foundation being the Holy Ghost people that were dealing with afflictions were healed, the lame began to walk, people that were blind gained their sight, and even the dead were raised because of the Power. God’s Word says these signs shall follow they that believe and this Association was a true body of Believers.

Can you hear it? Listen. It’s the sound of weeping, crying, wailing. E.F. Morris has died. It’s not just physical crying I hear though, I hear a cry in the Spirit realm. Then there was a sound of shatter. Naturally there was a split that happened. Some saints started their own Ministries, some left the faith, while there was a remnant that stayed. The Full Gospel Pentecostal Missionary Association, wounded but not death, broken yet still moving. The joy of the Lord is our strength, so we can, we shall, we must carry on.

After the death of E.F. Morris, his brother C.E. Morris took hold of the ranks and kept the fire burning. He installed Bishop Smith and Bishop Baldtrip to be dual heads. The two were to work the work together to keep this Association alive and running. There are high points, and there are low points, but God has a plan. A destiny that will be fulfilled, and a purpose that can’t be stopped. God is faithful and just!

As time went on and seasons changed, so did the leadership. Searching for that thing, that spark that once was some say is no more. Some say is dead and buried, but we know God has the final say. 

Bishop Smith became ill and passed away, Bishop Baldtrip was no longer in fellowship and ultimately passed away as well, so the Association was left in the hand of Bishop Smith’s wife Helen Smith, who was the acting President. Sis. Smith did all that she knew how to do, to re-establish order as she thrived for Holiness and Faith. You would often hear her speak about Faith in God. If you need healing, have faith. Faith moves mountains, it is by faith that we are saved. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Faith, faith, faith just a little bit of faith is all you need. At the right old age of 99 she placed her grandson Joe Harold Brown in charge of the Central District and Harold Simms, Jr. in charge of the Pacific Northwest. In 2016, we were to celebrate 100 years of life, but due to illness, Sis. Helen Smith passed away just before the start of the Reunion.

What do we do? Where do we go? Can you say UP! After careful consideration, the Executive Board felt it was necessary to vote in a single leader to take charge, and be the Prelate Bishop of the Full Gospel Pentecostal Missionary Association, in the person of our current Bishop Harold Simms, Jr.

It’s a new season, it’s a new day, fresh anointing, is flowing our way. It’s a season of power and prosperity. It’s a new season coming to me, and you, and us in this Association. Bishop Brown parted ways with the Full Gospel Pentecostal Missionary Association, and through the ups and downs, the highs and lows, we are yet still standing 90 years later.

We currently still have 3 church in the Pacific Northwest, and 3 Churches in the Central District all under the leadership of this mighty Man of God. Since the establishment, various transitions occurred, but the light has never flickered or dimmed, nor has the doctrine changed. We honor our past, we uphold the values and standards that were set, and build upon them, yet we look the future as that is where God is speaking to us from. When God sees our life it’s a rerun for Him, as He’s the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End. Since Bishop Simms installment, we have already seen people filled and refilled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, demon spirits have been cast out of people, the Gift of Prophesy has been birthed, as well as other gifts in the 5-fold ministry. He is striving for excellence in the body and we are excited to embark on this new journey God has for us. We are moving forward with God leading every step of the way. 

To the past we honor you, to the present we saluted you, and to the future we embrace you. The song writer said, “change me Lord, change me Lord, I don’t want to leave the same,” and that is true. Writing off, talked about, lied on, cheat, put out, but the Full Gospel Pentecostal Missionary Association is still here. 90 years is a long time. People closed organizations after 90 days, But God’s favor is upon this Association. Jesus didn’t say ‘I am finished,’ He said, ‘It is finished,’ meaning He was just getting started. God bless the Full Gospel Pentecostal Missionary Association on, “The Journey.”