The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) is Canada's largest denomination of Pentecostal churches.

The organization includes over 1,000 member congregations throughout Canada, including every province and territory. Many of its churches are comprised of ethnic minorites. The current president of the PAOC is William D. Morrow.

Theologically, the church is in the Pentecostal tradition of Protestant Christianity and some of its churches align themsevles with the evangelical movement. The PAOC is socially conservative on issues such as same-sex marriage.

Its head office is located in Mississauga, Ontario.

Mission statement

"To make disciples everywhere by the proclamation and the practice of the gospel of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit; to establish local congregations and to train spiritual leaders."

Brief history

The PAOC officially incorporated in 1919 though their beginnings stretch as far back as 1906. Their historical roots are directly connected to the Azusa street revival in Los Angeles in 1906 which promptly spread around the world. The largest pentecostal group that emerged out of Azusa was the “Assemblies of God” in the United States of which the PAOC is, essentially, the Canadian counterpart.

Recent events

Starting March 2005, the PAOC has sent out notices through their member churches encouraging their parishoners to write or call their MP in opposition to same-sex marriage.

Bible colleges and seminaries

• Summit Pacific College, Abbotsford, BC (formerly Western Pentecostal Bible College)
• Vanguard College, Edmonton, AB (formerly Northwest Bible College),
• Central Pentecostal College, Saskatoon, SK
• Master's College and Seminary
• Institut Biblique Quebec, Montreal, QC
• Pentecostal Sub-Arctic Leadership Training College

External link

• Official site