A minister addresses members at a Church service.

Assembling Together

Although the Philadelphia Church of God's headquarters campus is in Edmond, Oklahoma, its congregations are many and scattered. In fact, the church has thousands of members from 67 nations meeting in congregations around the world.

PCG congregations from Chicago to Chile and from Durban to Davao share much in common. All meet weekly for Sabbath services, consisting of biblical spiritual instruction and hearty Christian fellowship. Brethren focus on the same unified, biblical body of beliefs and submit to God’s form of government outlined in the Bible. They are encouraged not to form their beliefs out of convenience or the words of men, but to prove each doctrine for themselves from the Bible itself. They pursue the same spiritual goals in an atmosphere of spiritual family.

According to the Bible, the Church is not a building, but a people—a body of believers. PCG congregations range from very small to medium-sized, compared to many metropolitan religious groups. Whatever their size, PCG congregations are active, engaging in a variety of activities for youth, singles, families and seniors. Many congregations host picnics, family fun shows, public speaking clubs, campouts, fund-raisers, teen weekends, or other activities. Oftentimes members from other states or provinces, or even other countries, will travel many miles to be with brethren for a special congregational activity.

The PCG promotes "pure religion": looking after the widows and fatherless. In PCG congregations, those with special needs are taken care of by those able to help, whether it involves providing a ride to services or doing yard work for an elderly member. In this way, all members grow together in love toward God and His family.

Whether it is a handful of brethren meeting in a remote location, or a couple hundred members gathering together, PCG congregations compose the body of Jesus Christ.