The Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies
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On August 17, 1946, the Pentecostal Movement in the Caribbean held its first Conference at Petit Valley in Trinidad. At that Conference, the movement became affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (POAC), and was officially declared as the West Indies District of P.O.A.C. The West Indies School of Theology was established at that Conference.
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The establishment of the West Indies School of Theology (W.I.S.T) at the Woodbrook Pentecostal Chapel in Trinidad in 1946 is considered by many to be the most significant contribution to the Caribbean region by the parent body (POAC). The School graduated its first group of students in 1949. WIST has since been responsible for training thousands of national ministers, lay workers and church leaders through its main campus and Extension Schools dispersed among PAWI Districts. Today, WIST graduates pastor some 90% of its churches throughout the region. Others give able spiritual leadership to varied ministries, regionally and globally.
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At the 1958 Conference held in Trinidad, the name of the Fellowship was changed to the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies. This decision afforded the young Fellowship to become self-governing, self -propagating and self-supporting.
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With POAC passing the baton of leadership to Caribbean nationals, the under-mentioned persons created history when they were either elected or appointed to serve as follows:
| General Superintendent |
Rev. Patrick Ryan (deceased) |
| President of WIST |
Rev. Dennis White |
| Executive Director of Missions |
Rev. Wharton G. Nicholson |
| Youth Ministries Director |
Rev. Wharton G. Nicholson |
| Women’s Ministries Director |
Rev. Lucille Daniel |
| Men’s Ministries Director |
Rev. Levi Duncan |
| Christian Education Director |
Miss Audrey Cambridge |
Regional Crusaders Commissioner |
Rev. Irvin Smith |
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