Our History

The Pentecostal movement reached Armenia a few years after it had emerged in Russia in the early 1980s. The Pentecostal movement soon became a concern to the governing authorities of Armenia due to unlawful religious activities that were not permitted under the Soviet communist leadership. Those who identified as Pentecostal, were poorly treated, persecuted and oppressed. Freedom of religion was not an option for Soviet citizens of Armenia.

This persecution was the basis why many refugees immigrated to the United States from the late eighties to the early nineties through the assistance of Christians of the evangelical faith.  Refugees were granted entry, if they prove a “well-founded fear of persecution.“ (The Jewish review 1990).  

The majority of Soviet Armenian Pentecostal refugees who are presently settled in the  Sacramento area are from Armenia and surrounding villages who have immigrated through World Relief 1989 through 1995.

The first set of families who arrived in Sacramento, California created an amicable community with one another. However, as more families arrived, with them came economic, theological, and cultural differences. The differences, particularly theological, caused discord among the Armenian community. This resulted in the community splitting into two main distinct faith-based groups. 

From this separation, the Armenian Pentecostal Church was established in 1995 serving a large portion of the Armenian community. Members of the Armenian Pentecostal Church, believe it is vital for Christians to be set apart from an unbelieving, sinful society. Church members prioritize the importance of a strong sense of community and place great value on fostering healthy, personal relationships with one other.

Over the past few years we have prayed, and poured our hearts into creating a culture here that would represent our authentic desire to worship God and meet the needs of our community.