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The '''ICOF''' <ref>(http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/ICOF)international Circle of Faith)</ref> (International Circle of Faith) is a group of [[Pentecostal]], [[Charismatic]] or quasi-Pentecostal churches, ministers and para-church ministries.  While the International Circle of Faith world headquarters is on Pennsylvania Avenue in [[Washington, D.C.]], a large part of their organized effort is [[Africa]]n with representation in every country in Africa.  While the ICOF has some very large congregations (especially in the [[Congo]]) the rank and file of the ICOF is made up of small churches (those with less than 100 members), but lots of small churches have contributed to making a fairly large group.  According to <ref>[http://www.icof.net/clrroundtable/contactingicof.html contactingicof<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> According to ICOF sources: The ICOF has 39,085 ministers.  Total worldwide constituents in 2005, is listed at 10,936,349.<ref>International Circle of Faith World Headquarters. 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006.</ref>   

The '''ICOF''' <ref>(http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/ICOF)international Circle of Faith</ref> (International Circle of Faith) is a group of [[Pentecostal]], [[Charismatic]] or quasi-Pentecostal churches, ministers and para-church ministries.  While the International Circle of Faith world headquarters is on Pennsylvania Avenue in [[Washington, D.C.]], a large part of their organized effort is [[Africa]]n with representation in every country in Africa.  While the ICOF has some very large congregations (especially in the [[Congo]]) the rank and file of the ICOF is made up of small churches (those with less than 100 members), but lots of small churches have contributed to making a fairly large group.  According to <ref>[http://www.icof.net/clrroundtable/contactingicof.html contactingicof<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> According to ICOF sources: The ICOF has 39,085 ministers.  Total worldwide constituents in 2005, is listed at 10,936,349.<ref>International Circle of Faith World Headquarters. 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006.</ref>   

Representatives of the International Circle of Faith are actively involved at the highest levels in many countries, especially in Africa where ICOF officials work closely with government in countries such as [[Nigeria]], [[Liberia]], [[Ghana]], etc.  While the ICOF has been consistent in not endorsing political candidates, their leadership in the USA has been 'favored' by [[conservative]] candidates.  In recent years, the Presiding Bishop, Bernie L. Wade has been a guest at the White House (2004) under the Presidency of George W. Bush and aligned with conservative evangelical groups such as the National Religious Broadcasters <ref>http://www.adherents.com/people/pm/Harriet_Miers.html</ref> Apostolic coalition a pro-Israel conservative messianic political action committee.<ref>http://www.guvwurld.org/cgi-bin/live.cgi?d=%2FReligion%2FVillage%20Voice%20-%20Apostolic%20Congress%20Influences%20Bush%20Middle%20East%20Policy%20Towards%20Armegeddon%20-%205-18-04.</ref><ref>http://www.apostoliccongress.com/</ref>  In recent years, promoters of the "Roadmap for Peace" have sought the endorsement of the leadership of the ICOF.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_map_for_peace</ref>

Representatives of the International Circle of Faith are actively involved at the highest levels in many countries, especially in Africa where ICOF officials work closely with government in countries such as [[Nigeria]], [[Liberia]], [[Ghana]], etc.  While the ICOF has been consistent in not endorsing political candidates, their leadership in the USA has been 'favored' by [[conservative]] candidates.  In recent years, the Presiding Bishop, Bernie L. Wade has been a guest at the White House (2004) under the Presidency of George W. Bush and aligned with conservative evangelical groups such as the National Religious Broadcasters <ref>http://www.adherents.com/people/pm/Harriet_Miers.html</ref> Apostolic coalition a pro-Israel conservative messianic political action committee.<ref>http://www.guvwurld.org/cgi-bin/live.cgi?d=%2FReligion%2FVillage%20Voice%20-%20Apostolic%20Congress%20Influences%20Bush%20Middle%20East%20Policy%20Towards%20Armegeddon%20-%205-18-04.</ref><ref>http://www.apostoliccongress.com/</ref>  In recent years, promoters of the "Roadmap for Peace" have sought the endorsement of the leadership of the ICOF.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_map_for_peace</ref>

Like most Pentecostals they promote lively style of worship, which can include running church aisles, jumping, dancing, shouting, and clapping. The church services are also punctuated at times with acts of speaking in tongues (glossalalia), interpretations of tongues, prophetical messages, and the laying of hands for the purposes of healing. These events can sometimes happen spontaneously during normal services.<ref>A Survey of the History of the Distinctives of Pentecostalism http://www.yoyomaster.com/ministry.file/Pentecostalism.pdf</ref>

Like most Pentecostals they promote lively style of worship, which can include running church aisles, jumping, dancing, shouting, and clapping. The church services are also punctuated at times with acts of speaking in tongues (glossalalia), interpretations of tongues, prophetical messages, and the laying of hands for the purposes of healing. These events can sometimes happen spontaneously during normal services.<ref>A Survey of the History of the Distinctives of Pentecostalism http://www.yoyomaster.com/ministry.file/Pentecostalism.pdf</ref>

Unlike many Pentecostal denominations the ICOF ordains women ministers and even have ordained women into the office of Bishop, a move unprecedented in most of Christianity.  ICOF believes that in Christ there is neither male nor female, Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, but all that have been filled with the Holy Spirit have equal opportunity.  Ministers at all levels are allowed to marry and have children.<ref>International Circle of Faith.  College of Bishops minutes.  June 4, 2005.  Indianapolis, IN.</ref>  As a result the first Black Bishop in the history of Ireland, Dr. Marcus Benson,was ordained in 2004 in the United Kingdom.<ref>Gathering of Eagles Conference.  Dr. Harold McFarlane.  Built on the Rock International.  London, England.</ref><ref>Cyber Journal for Pentecostal-Charismatic Research. http://www.pctii.org/cyberj/cyberj1/ben.html</ref>

Unlike many Pentecostal denominations the ICOF ordains women ministers and even have ordained women into the office of Bishop, a move unprecedented in most of Christianity.  ICOF believes that in Christ there is neither male nor female, Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, but all that have been filled with the Holy Spirit have equal opportunity.  Ministers at all levels are allowed to marry and have children.<ref>International Circle of Faith.  College of Bishops minutes.  June 4, 2005.  Indianapolis, IN.</ref>  As a result, the first Black Bishop in the history of Ireland, Dr. Marcus Benson,was ordained in 2004 in the United Kingdom.<ref>Gathering of Eagles Conference.  Dr. Harold McFarlane.  Built on the Rock International.  London, England.</ref><ref>Cyber Journal for Pentecostal-Charismatic Research. http://www.pctii.org/cyberj/cyberj1/ben.html</ref>

Unlike many Pentecostal denominations the ICOF puts emphasis on social gospel.  The ICOF Humanitarian and Social Initiative is involved throughout the world in humanitarian projects; from HIV/AIDS education and awareness in Zambia to bore holes (water wells) in Nigeria the ICOF <ref>[http://www.icofcm.com/network/id24.html Overview<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Unlike many Pentecostal denominations the ICOF puts emphasis on social gospel.  The ICOF Humanitarian and Social Initiative is involved throughout the world in humanitarian projects; from HIV/AIDS education and awareness in Zambia to bore holes (water wells) in Nigeria the ICOF <ref>[http://www.icofcm.com/network/id24.html Overview<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

== History ==

== History ==

The group finds its origins in the American Pentecostal movement in general and in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ [[PAJC]] in particular. In the Pentecostal movement, the PAJC is recognized as one of the unity efforts that took place among [[Pentecostals]] in the 1930s and one of the oldest Pentecostal groups in the world citing its origins in 1913 or before.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostal_Assemblies_of_Jesus_Christ</ref>  ICOF emerged out of the [[Pentecostal]] movement that commenced in [[Topeka, Kansas]] under [[Charles Parham]] on 1 January 1901.  This movement gained strength while spreading through [[Missouri]], [[Texas]] and [[California]], culminating in the [[Azuza Street Revival]] in 1906.  Rejected by mainline Christian denominations, Pentecostals began to form churches of their own, one of which was the [[Assemblies of God]], formed in 1914.<ref name=autogenerated2>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Pentecostal_Church</ref>

The group finds its origins in the American Pentecostal movement in general and in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ [[PAJC]] in particular. In the Pentecostal movement, the PAJC is recognized as one of the unity efforts that took place among [[Pentecostals]] in the 1930s and one of the oldest Pentecostal groups in the world citing its origins in 1913 or before.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostal_Assemblies_of_Jesus_Christ</ref>  ICOF emerged from the [[Pentecostal]] movement that commenced in [[Topeka, Kansas]] under [[Charles Parham]] on 1 January 1901.  This movement gained strength while spreading through [[Missouri]], [[Texas]] and [[California]], culminating in the [[Azuza Street Revival]] in 1906.  Rejected by mainline Christian denominations, Pentecostals began to form churches of their own, one of which was the [[Assemblies of God]], formed in 1914.<ref name=autogenerated2>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Pentecostal_Church</ref>

In 1927 steps were taken toward reunifying these organizations. Meeting in a joint convention in [[Guthrie]], [[Oklahoma]], Emmanuel's Church in Jesus Christ and The Apostolic Churches of Jesus Christ merged, taking the name '''The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ'''. This merger united about 400 Pentecostal ministers.  In 1931, a unity conference with representatives from four Pentecostal organizations met in [[Columbus, Ohio]], in an endeavor to bring all Pentecostals together. The Pentecostal Ministerial Alliance ministers voted to merge with The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, but the terms of the proposed merger were rejected by that body. Nevertheless, a union between The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ and The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World was consummated in November 1931. The new body adopted the name of '''The Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ'''.<ref name=autogenerated2 />

In 1927 steps were taken toward reunifying these organizations. Meeting in a joint convention in [[Guthrie]], [[Oklahoma]], Emmanuel's Church in Jesus Christ and The Apostolic Churches of Jesus Christ merged, taking the name '''The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ'''. This merger united about 400 Pentecostal ministers.  In 1931, a unity conference with representatives from four Pentecostal organizations met in [[Columbus, Ohio]], in an endeavor to bring all Pentecostals together. The Pentecostal Ministerial Alliance ministers voted to merge with The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, but the terms of the proposed merger were rejected by that body. Nevertheless, a union between The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ and The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World was consummated in November 1931. The new body adopted the name of '''The Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ'''.<ref name=autogenerated2 />

== Publications ==

== Publications ==

The ICOF has it's own publishing arm.  The official organ of the International Circle of Faith is ICOF Perspectives.  A weekly publication from the groups New Zealand office.  The editor is David Tait.<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs091/1011273922044/archive/1101970085211.html International Circle of Faith (ICOF)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The ICOF has its own publishing arm.  The official organ of the International Circle of Faith is ICOF Perspectives.  A weekly publication from the groups New Zealand office.  The editor is David Tait.<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs091/1011273922044/archive/1101970085211.html International Circle of Faith (ICOF)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

== Leadership ==

== Leadership ==

* New Life School of Missions - India  

* New Life School of Missions - India  

* New Stars Bible College (5 campus) - Nigeria  

* New Stars Bible College (5 campus) - Nigeria  

* Renaisance University - Congo  

* Renaissance University - Congo  

* Royal Priesthood College - Togo  

* Royal Priesthood College - Togo  

* RTW School of Theology  

* RTW School of Theology