Apostolic Pentecostal Church – Pastoral Leadership Through The Years
“…I have a goodly heritage.” – Psalm 16:6
The people of Apostolic Pentecostal Church have been in service to the Lord since 1935. During that time, our church has had three locations, four buildings, and been sheparded by four Pastors who have blessed our church with Godly guidance and wisdom through the power of the Holy Ghost! We thank God for all the blessings He has placed on our church throughout our history!
Harry W. Branding (pastor 1935 – 1969)
Brother Branding’s experience with the Lord started in 1928 while on a business trip to Florida, where he heard a noted Baptist evangelist preaching in Tampa, by the name of George Truitt. He attended service one night, and as conviction swept over him, he went forward sobbing and praying. Upon returning to St. Louis, he visited the church pastored by the late Benjamin Hite and in time followed the scriptural instruction for salvation found in Acts 2:38. He served as assistant pastor to Brother Hite for approximately four and a half years.
One of the locations Brother Branding preached at on occasion was a mission on 11th and Hickory Streets, which was in need of a pastor. One of their members, Sister Pratt, put a fleece before the Lord to find a pastor for the mission, and it was answered when Brother Branding became pastor of the mission on April 13, 1935.
Brother Branding preached with much enthusiasm and the anointing of God. People came from far and near to hear this man preach. There were not many who had phones in those days, but the news of the revival and the healings traveled fast. Those who had cars came and brought others with them. Those who did not have cars or were not able to get rides walked many blocks to get to church. As the church grew, the Lord spoke to Brother Branding to move the congregation from the small mission to a new location at 13th and Gravois, where the anointed work of the Lord continued as the congregation changed its name to “Apostolic Pentecostal Church”. Brother Branding was a true shepherd over his flock; their problems and illnesses were his concern, and he looked out for them. He had a good group of people, godly, and willing to obey the Scriptures, and the church continued to prosper financially and spiritually.
In 1944 and 1945, Brother Branding was instrumental in bringing about the merger of the Pentecostal Church, Incorporated and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ to form the United Pentecostal Church International, and served as District Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Churches of Missouri for more than twenty years. He also had a dream of a Christian college where our young people could attend and be trained in the Lord’s work. He saw this come to pass; Gateway College of Evangelism was established in 1968, and is now located in Florissant, Missouri.
Brother Branding lived a rich and full life in the work of the Lord, and was called home by the Lord on September 8, 1969.
Winfred I. Black (pastor 1969 – 1978)
One of the early families from the 11th and Hickory mission was Brother and Sister Silas Black. They had one child named Winfred. Brother Branding claimed Winfred Black as his son in the gospel at the age of 13. Through the years, Brother Black worked closely with his pastor and at age 23 became the assistant pastor. He married Aileen Henderson and from 1955 to 1965, they pastored in Kansas City, MO. On February 1, 1965, they returned to St. Louis with their children, Debbie and Terry, when Brother Black became the co-pastor.
Upon the death of Brother Branding, W.I. Black became the pastor of 13th and Gravois (as it had come to be known). True to his upbringing he further established the church on its biblical foundation. Brother Black loved living for God and his enthusiasm showed in everything he did. Several notable accomplishments were realized during his tenure until his untimely passing on December 28, 1978.
Louis Green (pastor 1979 – 1981)
In March of 1978, the mantle of leadership fell on Louis Green. Brother Green brought with him a deep appreciation for the Word of God and led the church accordingly. During his tenure, the youth department raised nearly $30,000 for Sheaves for Christ which is still APC’s record SFC offering. After approximately two years, he felt it to be the will of God to resign as pastor in 1981.
Stephen T. Willeford (pastor 1981-2022)
In March of 1981, Stephen Willeford became the fourth pastor of Apostolic Pentecostal Church. He had the privilege of leading the church in which he grew up and did so through 2022 with godly character, spiritual sensitivity and wisdom. He presently serves as Bishop.
Reverend Stephen Willeford is husband to Becky, father to Andrea (Tom), Amber, and Alysa (Chris), and grandfather to Jude, Reese, and Jett. He received his Theological Degree from Gateway College of Evangelism. He has served as pastor of Apostolic Pentecostal Church (APC) since 1981, and as Bishop beginning in 2023. Before becoming pastor of APC, he served in various areas of the church as Sunday School Teacher, Youth Pastor, School Principal and Superintendent, and Assistant Pastor.
Throughout his years of ministry, Reverend Willeford has served the United Pentecostal Church International as a District Youth President, District Sunday School Director, Pastoral Advisor – Children’s Ministry UPCI, Regional Presbyter, Missouri District Secretary, Missouri District Superintendent, District Elder, Tupelo Children’s Mansion board member, Gateway College and Urshan board member, Pastoral Advisor – Gateway Alumni, Vice-Chairman and Chairman – Urshan Board of Directors.
Bradly DeLong (Pastor)
Pastor Bradly DeLong become pastor of Apostolic Pentecostal Church (APC) January 1 of 2023. Prior to that, in September of 2021, Bradly DeLong had been elected to serve as Pastor of APC. He and his wife, Mariah, were both raised at APC and their families have called APC home for multiple generations. Now, they have the honor of serving their church family as well as the surrounding community and city of Saint Louis.
Pastor DeLong graduated from Urshan College in 2014 with a BA in Christian Ministries with a Pastoral Focus. Before their most recent transition to pastorship, Pastor and Sister DeLong fulfilled the role of Youth Pastors of APC for 8 years. Additionally, Mariah DeLong has acted as the Music Director for APC’s Spanish daughter work, Iglesia Pentecostal Apostolica, for several years, and also teaches Spanish at a local high school. They currently serve the Missouri District in the role of District Youth Secretary.
Together with their two children, Mila and Wesley, they now step into this new role of servanthood, as they seek to shepherd and guide the wonderful people of APC. Pastor DeLong longs to serve God’s people and reach for others in our surrounding area that are hungry for a relationship with God.