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Bishop Samuel Nathan Hancock along with others founded the Pentecostal Church of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. (PCAF) in 1963.  The PCAF has grown into a flourishing organization.  Bishop Samuel Nathan Hancock was born in 1883 in Adair, Kentucky. He was baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost in 1912 , under the ministry of Bishop Garfield Thomas Haywood in Indianapolis Indiana.  Bishop Hancock was called to the ministry in 1914.  In 1917 he was ordained and he served as Assistant Pastor with Bishop Haywood at Apostolic Faith Assembly, located at the corner of Eleventh and Senate Street in Indianapolis. From there he moved to Detroit, Michigan, and became the Pastor of a small mission that had been under the supervision of Elder Levi Miles.

In 1957, Bishop Hancock and the Bishop Willie Lee, who at the time was Pastor of Christ Temple Church of Indianapolis, Indiana, left the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.  Along with other ministers, they organized the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith. Bishop Hancock served as the presiding of the organization until his demise in 1963.  Many miracles , signs and wonders were witnessed during Bishop Hancock’s fearless, faith-filled 42 years of divine leadership.  Bishop Hancock beseeched us through all his endeavors, his message and demonstrations by his own life to be saved and to walk circumspectly before God in love.  

The PCAF is the continuation of the great revival that began in Jerusalem, on the Day of Pentecost, AD 33. This organization has as its foundation the doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets, and we claim Jesus Christ Himself as the Chief Cornerstone of our faith.   Apostolic history reveals that in 1901 in the state of Kansas a revival broke forth in a dynamic way and moved south to Texas, and then moving to Los Angeles, California in 1906.  This revival manifested itself by the outpouring of the Holy Ghost which spread throughout the whole earth, entering into nearly every nation under heaven, penetrating even into the heathen darkness of many parts of the world.  This revival was the fulfillment of the great commission of our Lord and also proclaimed the soon coming of the Lord. 
         Since its inception in 1957 the PCAF has grown to 14 state and regional councils of which the Atlantic States Council is part. 
           
      The Atlantic States Council was established in September 1983, under the direction of the PCAF, Inc.   Many were instrumental in initiating the forming of this council.   The Eastern & Southern States Council was asked to give up the states of SC and NC, with the exception of Praise Temple Apostolic Church in Raleigh, NC.  The South Eastern District Council was asked to give up the states of Georgia and Florida.  Consequently, the Atlantic States Council was birth then at Lively Stone Temple Apostolic Faith Church, Inc. in Islandton, SC with seven (7) churches.  Those churches were:
  • Lively Stone Temple Apostolic Faith Church, Islandton, SC
  • El Bethel Apostolic Faith Church, Waynesboro, GA  
  • Greater Bethlehem Temple of Atlanta, Fayetteville, GA
  • Calvary Apostolic Faith Church, Tampa, FL
  • Bethel Christ Temple, Keysville, GA  
  • Bethlehem Apostolic Church, Midville, GA;
  • Glory Apostolic Church, Gretna, FL            
  The first officers appointed at that first meeting were as follows:
  • Bishop Robert L. Little, Diocesan Bishop
  • Elder Fred Porter, Council Chairman
  • Elder Raul C. Bradley, Assistant Chairman
  • Sister Eva Mae Capers, Council Secretary
  • Sister Ethel Pete, Assistant Secretary
  • Elder Vernon Heath, Treasurer
  • Mother Annie Mays, Missionary Chairlady
  • Elder Paul M. Capers, Sunday School Superintendent
  • Deacon Talmadge L. Wiggins, Youth Department Chairman.
                   Since that initial meeting the ASC has grown from the original 7 churches to currently 19 churches in the states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.    After the late Bishop Little's tenure as diocesan bishop of the ASC the late Bishop Jester Purnell of Terre Haute, IN and the late Bishop Nemiah Smith of Detroit, MI also served as diocesan bishop until his death in June, 2007.  The current diocesan bishop, Bishop Fred Porter. became diocesan August, 2007.   
                   
                 We currently have 3 episcopal bishops: 
  1. Bishop Fred Porter, FL
  2. Bishop Paul M. Capers, SC
  3. Bishop Barry S. Mitchell,  GA
3 jurisdictional bishops: 
 
  1. Juris. Bishop Hollis Orsborn,  GA
  2. Juris. Bishop Jake Burgess, FL
  3. Juris. Bishop James Mack, SC
6 district elders: 
 
Georgia:
  1. District Elder Ivan Gordon
  2. District Elder Robert Lynch
  3. District Elder Reynard Pulliam

South Carolina:

 
  1. District Elder Talmage L. Wiggins
  2. District Elder Joseph Woods 

Florida:

  1. District Elder Phillip Porter       
    
               At the the PCAF National Youth Conventions several trophies have been won by the ASC Youth Department under Elder T.L. Wiggins'.  Several ASC youth have received scholarships from the PCAF Sunday School and Youth Department.  Elder Paul M. Capers and Deacon Talmadge Wiggins started the ASC Youth and Sunday School Convention.  Under the direction of Evang. Judy Adedun the Atlantic States Council Missionary Convention was also started. 
 
         On June 27, 2003, the ASC had a celebration banquet commemorating 20 years.  This grand affair was held at the Holiday Inn, Columbia, SC under the leadership of then chairman Bishop Paul M. Capers.  To celebrate the 25th Silver Anniversary of the ASC yet another celebratory banquet was held at the Lively Stone Temple of the Apostolic Faith Fellowship Hall, Islandton, SC, under the leadership of chairman District Elder T.L. Wiggins .  This too was a grand occasion. 
 
          We have seen the mighty move of God in our midst and expect Jesus to continue do "exceeding, abundantly, above what we could ask or think according to the power that worketh in us".  Our expectation is that God will bless us as we bless Him and allow his Spirit to move upon us.