Rev. Carl H. Stephenson

In July 1931 Carl Stephenson was born near Nacogdoches, Texas, to Emma and Guy Stephenson. At age ten, Carl was taken to a Oneness Pentecostal church by his grandmother, where he heard the message of New Testament salvation and was baptized in Jesus' name.

In 1947 Carl attended a revival by Reverend E. L. and Nona Freeman. There he repented of his sins and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking with other tongues. After graduation, Carl worked as an apprentice plumber; then God gave him a preaching ministry.

In 1949 he was granted a Christian Workers license by the First Pentecostal Church of Kilgore, Texas, and began holding revivals, beginning at Etoile, Texas. He studied and prayed, ate whatever was provided, and fasted often. God blessed his ministry.

Brother Stephenson received his local license and general license, and he was ordained by the United Pentecostal Church at the Texas District Conference in 1953. He preached in Texas, Louisiana, Michigan, Indiana, and other states.

In 1954 Carl was married to Nell Walton. In 1955, they moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and he became the pastor of Bethel Tabernacle. During the twelve years in Winnipeg, souls were born again and the church building was renovated. The family grew to include Becky, Kathy, Lisa, and David; all (and their own families) have been born again and continue to serve the Lord.

Carl served as district presbyter and youth president of the Minnesota-Manitoba District.

In 1967 Brother Stephenson was elected pastor of First United Pentecostal Church on Greenwood Avenue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The church building was renovated and the established culture of giving was continued. Record offerings were made, especially for Foreign Missions and Sheaves for Christ.

He was the Ontario District Foreign Missions director for thirty years. He also served on the Foreign Missions Board and made several overseas trips, preaching conferences and dedicating buildings.

Brother Stephenson taught at Apostolic Missionary Institute for many years, taking a Greyhound bus from Toronto to Picton and, later, the train to London. He taught doctrine, missions, and pastoral theology. He was district presbyter for eighteen years and then district superintendent for over ten years.

In 1998 Carl Stephenson resigned his pastorate, taking the role of senior minister. This change allowed him to visit more Ontario churches, supporting the local saints and pastors. His Sunday morning Bible class at Greenwood provided continuity and a blessing to all who attended.

His last two messages were preached on April 6, 2003: “Why Jesus Has Not Yet Come” and “My Greatest Hope: The Rapture.” On April 9 Brother Stephenson unexpectedly passed on into the arms of Jesus, ending a full and rewarding life of ministry.