History of Mount Olive Church of God In 1973 a group of christians led by the Holy Spirit felt the need for a worshiping community. This spiritual movement turned into a small church that was known as Immitateurs de Jesus-Christ. Due to the theological background of the leaders, the organization was renamed "Eglise de Dieu de la Pentecôte". In search of an identity, the founders Rev. Ornan Laurore and Rev. Wilner Rejouis catapuled the movement into the church known today as "Eglise de Dieu Monts des Oliviers, Inc". A short while after, the leaders of the Church felt the need to relocate to Florida and trusted the leadership of the organization to Rev. Charles Rejouis, Rev. Testar St. Victor and Evangelist Joseph Monel Fleurimond. The church experienced an explosion that took the organization from a basement, to a store front, to rented space from other churches on at the corner of Main Street and Prospect Street in East-Orange, then to Munn Avenue in East-Orange. There, the church experienced more growth and the overpopulation created some difficult logistic problems that truly tested the faith of the congregation. As the pressure grew, souls keep on joining the organization and experiencing salvation. In 1989, God answered the fervent prayers by blessing the organization with a beautiful, modern temple located at 24 Cleveland Street in Orange, New Jersey. From that time to today, the membership has tripled and might quadruple in the next fifteen months. Due to what experts on religious organizations have been communicating lately, the growth of this church might have to do with its beliefs and organization. The Pentecostal movement is experiencing tremendous growth and it goes beyond all other Christian organizations. Organizations with Pentecostal, holiness, and charismatic beliefs and practices constitute the largest block of christians after the Catholic Church. Eglise de Dieu Mont des Oliviers is a Pentecostal church. The doctrine and main beliefs follow traditional Pentecostal understandings. Yet, there is not any clear connection between this organization and the Azusa Street Movement. The leaders might not embrace this connection for many reasons. Although the movement is experiencing growth, it is fairly young comparing to the more stable and long-standing other denominations like the Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, etc. For a tradition to be valid specially in doctrine, there must be a longer tradition for it. Therefore, the Azusa Street revivals are never mentioned in the history of this organization, but it is the Pentecost that plays a central role in it. Even though, the Pentecostal movement reached Haiti at about the same period when the Azusa Street Revival was gaining ground and looked to expand in mission work throughout the world. The first establishment of Pentecostal churches on the island would coincide with this movement. |
DOCTRINE AND BELIEFS
The church is independent with Pentecostal tendencies. It is not affiliated with any other big organizations but have other sister churches founded by Ministers from this movement throughout the United States (New Jersey, Florida, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania) and Haiti. Baptism by immersion is key in the belief of the church. Only those who can profess their faith are baptized. Therefore, infants and young children are dedicated to the Lord but cannot be baptized. The crux of the Pentecostal faith is found in the doctrine of Baptism. It goes a bit further than the water Baptism into the Baptism of the Spirit. This baptism is evidenced by speaking in Tongues. Even though the Baptism is key in separating Pentecostalism from other faiths, there is a common link between this movement and other main denominations. The belief of our church concerning salvation follows the Arminian doctrine and understands salvation is offered to all according to John 3:16. As acceptance of salvation is manifested, the congregation of the saved must live and manifest regeneration through sanctification in the everyday life. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The church has a three-branches administrative system. An executive board of ministers and evangelists led by the Senior Pastor, a board of deacons, and a board of trustees. Major decisions are made on the recommendation of three-third of the boards and approved by the congregation. There are several other subdivisions in the church: Sunday school, man groups, woman groups, Youth organization, choirs, etc. For a church comprised mostly of first generation and second generations of immigrants, the organization has made some progress. Yet, there is a lack of contribution and a lack of proper ways to receive donations from nonmembers. For further understanding of the Pentecostal history, belief and doctrine, you can visit the following sites or others who follow the same pattern. 1-Origin of the New Pentecostal Movement William Joseph Seymour is not talked about much in our tradition, but plays a significant role in the spread of Pentecostalism specially in country where people of African descent form the majority. He plays a significant role in the multiracial background of this movement and can serve a church like ours that has a membership totally of African descent. 2-Growth of Pentecostal movement Most people are in the church are not aware of the magnitude of the Pentecostal movement in this society. This site provides a lot of historical information as well as results from studies about the statistics and growth of this movement. 3-Azusa Street Revivals As much as one might choose to bypass some recent phenomenon to connect to older events as the Pentecost that is considered as the beginning of the Church, it is impossible to neglect the role of certain key events in ones history.The Azusa Street movement is key in the propagation of the Pentecostal doctrine throughout the world, reaching the people of this congregation in Haiti. 4-Doctrine and theology This is a site that contains a systematic theology with charismatic Pentecostal perspective. Most of the beliefs shared by our organization are grounded and exposed in this volume. 5-Pentecostal Church This site presents another Pentecostal church that shares the same beliefs that we do and present them with a similar perspective as we do. Author: Allrich Rejouis |