First Pentecostal church of Jackson - Jackson

The First Pentecostal Church of Jackson was founded in 1953, by Rev. W.E. Gamblin. A group of people met weekly in a small church building just south of downtown Jackson. When the church officially organized in 1955, a small building at 710 South President Street became FPC's home. Through much sacrifice and effort, the congregation prospered, and in 1960, they moved into a new building at 1505 Robinson Street. In June 1962, Bro. Gamblin asked young evangelist, Rev. Thomas L. Craft, to allow his name to be presented to the congregation in Jackson for pastorship. Bro. Gamblin was to resign, and Bro. Craft consented. On July 29, 1962, Bro. Thomas L. Craft was confirmed by the congregation as Pastor of First Pentecostal Church of Jackson. In the next few years, they experienced much revival and growth, and won great victories.

By the late 60s, the church at 1505 Robinson was overflowing! A building committee was formed, and groundbreaking for a new church occurred in the spring of 1969. After 18 months of construction, the new church at 3425 Robinson Street was completed. The congregation marched from the old church to the new church on the first Sunday of worship. Dedication of this new building was in November 1970. In 1974, the Mississippi District UPCI offered Pentecostal Bible Institute to Bro. Craft. In 1975, Pastor Craft and First Pentecostal Church assumed the Charter of PBI with the name being changed to Jackson College of Ministries. In 1979, a new campus was purchased at 1555 Beasley Road in North Jackson. Jackson College of Ministries was one of the most incredible "Missions Projects" ever sponsored by First Pentecostal Church. 

Thousands of people, who are successfully involved in Christian ministry today, received their training at JCM. Pastors, Evangelists, Ministers of Music, Missionaries, and Sunday School Educators by the thousands are grateful to Bro. Craft, First Pentecostal Church, and Jackson College of Ministries.

First Pentecostal Church has been at the forefront of the current revival movement since 1955. Partners in Missions began here before it became a national program. Deeper Life Conferences were birthed here and have spun into many conferences around the world. More than 90 couples from FPC have gone forth under Bro. Craft's ministry to preach the Gospel worldwide; hundreds more have spent time here at FPC and JCM, receiving direction from the Lord.

In December 2014, God saw fit to bring one of Jackson's very own back home to pastor this great church! After youth pastoring, evangelizing, assisting, and over 20 years of pastoring in Starks, Louisiana, Pastor and Sis. Greg Frazier came back to the First Pentecostal Church to lead the congregation into the future. Bro. and Sis. Frazier were raised on FPC's pews, and Bro. Frazier is a graduate of Jackson College of Ministries. How poetic that life would lead them, their son, Aaron, and their daughter, Anna, home, to honor our heritage and take up the torch of shepherding the church into a prophetically prepared future!