The Flagship of the Western Oneness Pentecostal Movement: UPCI

How did the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) become the Flagship church of the western Oneness Pentecostal Movement?

As for the UPCI: One may pretty much gage the U.S. based Oneness Churches by the UPCI. This is why they are the "flagship" group: Some time ago their publishing house struck a deal with most all other Oneness publishing houses to provide all written literature, such as Sunday School literature, tracts, home Bible studies, etc. and then gave said groups a percentage kickback on all material purchased by that group (it has been some time ago, but I think the rate was 20%). What this did was assure each Oneness group a PROFIT on material their group used. This was a win-win for the UPCI and the smaller Oneness groups that struggled to produce their own material and most always operated in the red. This was a wise move on the UPCI's part because it gave them a virtual monopoly over Oneness literature, that assured that the doctrine permeating the Oneness churches was the teachings of the UPCI.

The reason I know the above paragraph is true is because I was a writer for the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ at the time that group closed their publishing house and struck this deal with the UPCI. It was a good deal for the ALJC because up to that time they lost money on their publishing department, whereas now they received (I believe the rate was) 20% on everything their churches and ministers purchased from the UPCI.

I feel that this information is important because many think they should not be grouped with UPCI because their local pastors and churches are not officially affiliated. However, the UPCI  has succeeded in branding most all Oneness Pentecostal groups within the U.S. (and their apostolates) with their doctrinal views. Thus, it is not a correct assertion to say, "I am not UPCI, so do not group me with them."

Apostolically Speaking,
☩ Jerry Hayes