About Us

Founder and Church History

The Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God, Inc., was
founded and organized March 16, 1916 at 1053 Adams
Street, Mobile, Alabama by Bishop W. T. Phillips. As a
result of many great revivals by Bishop Phillips, a church
was started in almost every city he visited. Bishop Phillips
made personal visits to each church to be sure of its
spiritual progress.
The organization was incorporated July 14, 1920 with
churches in almost every state of the United States. The
organization was first named the "Ethiopian overcoming
Holy Church of God," but was changed in 1920 to the
present name "Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God"
because of growth and a desire to present salvation to all
people. It was at this time that the Holy Ghost in the body of
Elders recognized Bishop Phillips as the father of the work.
The very first member of this organization was mother Viola
Hodges who died October 2, 1957. Bishop David
Washington and Bishop D.C. Rice were added to form a
staff of Bishops. These three have been considered the
founding fathers of this organization. Later, Bishop Jasper
Roby and Bishop W. L. James were added to the quorum of
Bishops. As the church continued to grow, seven other
bishops were added to the staff; Bishop C. R. Harris,
Bishop M. L. Bell, Bishop F. Lamar, Bishop M. L. Lilly,
Bishop G. W. Ayers, Bishop G. Crutcher and Bishop R. F.
Sheriff. Many of these bishops have passed off of the
scene, but the church continues on. Upon the death of
Bishop Phillips, Bishop Jasper Roby was selected as the
Senior Presiding Bishop. Under his leadership, other
bishops were consecrated, i.e. Bishop James Matthews,
Bishop Joe Bennett, Bishop Clifton Enlers, Bishop Rufus
Sanders, Bishop Franklin McNeal and Bishop Horace
Johnson.
In 1999 the Executive Board voted to install Bishop G. W.
Ayers as the Presiding Bishop due to the failing health of
our Senior Presiding Bishop, Bishop Jasper Roby. The vote
and official appointment took place during Pentecost, 2002.
Bishop Ayers was officially installed as the National and
International presiding prelate of the Apostolic Overcoming
Holy Church of God, Inc.
Bishop Ayers has a great love and vision for the church
and plans to restore many of the original attributes that
made this church the great organization that it is today.
Prior to this new appointment, the church experienced
turbulent times and many trying circumstances but God
proven that his hand is upon his church. We are
encouraged by the word Jesus told Peter in St. Matthew
16:186 "... and upon this rock I will build my church; and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it"
During the National Pentecostal meeting of 2001 in Mobile,
Alabama, six Overseers were set aside to be consecrated
Bishops. They were: Overseer Ford, Overseer Jonathan
Tate, Overseer Larnie J. White, Overseer Lawrence
Williams, Overseer Wilmer Williams and Overseer Phillip
Wright. They were all consecrated during Pentecost 2002.