Bishop Charles E. Johnson founded the Apostolic Faith Fellowship International (AFFI) in November 2012. He presided over a meeting held at Greater Morning Star Apostolic Ministries, Largo, MD. A group of Pastors was in attendance as he expressed his desire as directed by the Lord to begin an apostolic fellowship organization holding fast to the doctrine and tenets taught and practiced by the apostolic forefathers. He indicated the mission of this unified ministerial fellowship is dedicated to: (1) maintaining the integrity of the Apostles’ Doctrine; (2) spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through Extensive Evangelism; and (3) building churches in diverse parts of the world. The Pastors gave their commitment to become affiliates of the new organization and accept Bishop Charles E. Johnson (founder) as their leader and the first presiding Bishop of Apostolic Faith Fellowship International. The Pastors also gave consent for Bishop Johnson to continue organizing AFFI as he determined necessary, including appointments of officers and leaders.
Several teams were organized, comprised of people with diverse expertise and experience. The teams included ministerial training; event planning and programming; corporate organization; and auxiliary and departments. All teams worked extremely hard during this time with positive results. Apostolic Faith Fellowship International Board of Trustees accepted the Constitution and Bylaws in February 2013. Apostolic Faith Fellowship International was officially incorporated in the state of Maryland on February 28, 2013.
The initial ministerial training requirements were satisfied as a consortium with United Pentecostal Church, Inc. on-line courseware, PC Minister. During the time that “PC Minister” was available, the team was also diligently working to establish AFFI’s own ministerial training school.
The AFFI conducted its Inaugural National Conference on August 6 – August 9, 2013 in Charlotte, NC where the Lord Jesus Christ was present. The theme was “Unity of the Spirit, Unity of the Faith.” The following statement was included in the minutes of the Board of Bishops Executive Board meeting. “The historical importance of this, the very first National Conference of Apostolic Faith Fellowship International was emphasized. AFFI’s presider, Bishop Charles E. Johnson, is a son of the 1930s. He came through Bishop Ramsey Butler. However, the first Diocesan of the DC-DE-MD District Council was Bishop Grimes, who was also the second presider of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Bishop Grimes reorganized a couple of times with assistance from Bishop Ramsey Butler.” It was also recommended that the name of each person being consecrated be included in the corporate minutes. Notable events of historical importance: (1) Bishop Charles E. Johnson was installed as the first Presiding Bishop of AFFI. (2) Six Pastors were consecrated as Bishops. (3) All District Elders, Pastors, Elders and Evangelists present at the conference that were members of AFFI were consecrated. (4) Twenty-one (21) people were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and 12 were filled with the Holy Ghost.
In 2014, the second National Conference convened in Charlotte, NC. The evening worship services were broadcast each night over the Internet. People from around the world enthusiastically responded online as they watched the services live via the Internet. A record-setting 62 people were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and 19 were filled with the Holy Ghost, far surpassing 2016 numbers. The AFFI established its very own ministerial training school “The AFFI Bible Institute.” AFFI had drawn international attention and a door was opened on the international front: a group of Pastors in the Philippines became affiliates of AFFI. This affiliation initially included nine (9) Pastors; where one (1), a District Elder was appointed overseer. One additional Pastor from the Philippines became an affiliate of AFFI following the national conference. The Pastor indicated that an additional 15-16 Pastors in the Philippines were going to become affiliated with AFFI. This resulted in the Philippines being divided into two districts.
The AFFI Bible Institute launched its first class in January 2015.
The third National Conference convened in Raleigh, NC. Fifty-five (55) people were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and 21 were filled with the Holy Ghost. The first graduation ceremony from The AFFI Bible Institute was held during this convention. International attendees to the Conference included apostolic Pastors and bishops from Canada.
The fourth National Conference took place in Greensboro, NC where God again divinely endorsed our efforts with a tremendous harvest of souls and the addition of affiliates from Canada. A total of 116 people were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ: 10 of which were baptized during a pre-convention evangelism team visit to Greensboro, and 106 of them were baptized during the convention. Seventeen (17) people received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and 4 people were restored to the faith.
AFFI delegates have attended each National conference, people from neighboring communities, government officials and brethren from sister apostolic organizations. AFFI now has affiliates in Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Florida. This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes!