CHURCH HISTORY
While still in Bible College, Pastor Richard Smith planted Faith Assembly of God in1980 in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia, PA. For six months, the group worshipped at the Clara Baldwin Center. Richard invited enthusiastic bible college students to reach out and get acquainted with the residents of the Raymond Rosen Housing development. For six months, the team of students met with a small group of children and taught the Bible. When the community center space became unavailable, a gypsy missionary pastor invited Faith Assembly of God to have afternoon worship in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Due to the lack of transportation, The Strawberry Mansion children did not transition to East Frankford.
From 1981 to 2004, the church met at Charles and Pratt. The children and youth groups, food outreach ministry, men and the women recover homes flourished. In 2004, a repurposed warehouse building on Margaret St. became home to Faith Assembly of God. Daily Faith Assembly of God volunteers serve after school meals to 150 children at the Charles St. campus. The Margaret Street campus serves meals and provides groceries to families in need. In addition, Margaret St volunteers serve after school meals to 75 teens. For the past nine years, Faith Assembly of God has coordinated a fall community event, Hope 4 Philly. Each September, we join with other local ministries to extend a “Hand of Compassion” to several thousand people. The event features fun for the children, groceries for families, health services, entertainment, and city resource information.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Faith Assembly of God joins 2000 years of Christian faith by embracing the Apostles Creed.
The Apostles Creed believes in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. We believe in the Holy Ghost; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen
Our Affiliation
The Assemblies of God network of churches expresses this doctrine in 16 statements of faith. Click here to read.
MISSION & VISION STATEMENT
Faith Assembly of God exists to reconcile our community to God. Our goal is to holistically demonstrate God’s love and compassion.
Our urban theological perspective has been greatly influenced by the John Perkins concept of the 3R’s. To serve our community effectively, Pastor Richard Smith and his family have RELOCATED and have lived in the community for over 30 years. RECONCILIATION among all racial, economic, and religious groups is a priority especially demonstrated in our Food Ministry. REDISTRIBITION in our under resourced setting occurs as volunteers unselfishly invest time in the children and serve the homeless. Addressing socioeconomic barriers, the church strategizes to serve in many areas of need.