The Pentecostals of Greenville

Who We Are

our vision

reaching.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

-Matthew 28:19

connecting.

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

 -Acts 2:46–47

equipping.

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant

 -Hebrews 13:20

Pastor Ryan and hannah Petersen

Pastor Ryan Petersen and his wife, Hannah, were voted in as Pastor of the Pentecostals of Greenville in December of 2022.

Prior to moving to Greenville, they served as the Indiana District Youth President for the United Pentecostal Church and they also were on the Pastoral Staff
at Family Life Church in Bloomington, IN.
Pastor Petersen has been a licensed minister with the UPCI for over 10 years.

 The Petersen’s both attended Indiana Bible College and married in September of 2010.
They have four beautiful children: Cora, Zara, Indy and Henry.

Founding Pastor Ron & Charlene lappin

Pastor Ron Lappin and his wife arrived in Greenville, NC in August 1981 and started holding church services in September of the same year. They have dedicatedly led the congregation for forty-one years and continue to serve the wider eastern North Carolina region in various capacities.

OUR HISTORY

The Pentecostals of Greenville have a rich history that has unfolded over several decades. Here is a chronological account of our journey:

1. In the beginning, the Lappin family found themselves in a 100-year-old church building at the corner of 11th and Forbes Streets. Despite the building's need for repairs, it served as our place of worship for 22 years.

2. During the first month, only one couple visited. Sister Ernestine Evans became the first Bible study student and convert, leading the way for outreach to the black community. From the outset, the Pentecostals of Greenville embraced an atmosphere of interracial, multicultural, and bilingual worship.

3. By the 1980s, the church experienced significant growth and reached a membership of approximately 100 individuals. Sister Alberta Brown, the Teal family, the Streeters, and others joined the congregation, adding to its diversity.

4. In the early 1990s, the Pentecostals began making efforts to reach out to the Hispanic community. This initiative resulted in an influx of visitors and the establishment of a weekly Spanish service. The Hispanic congregation quickly grew to around 100 attendees, and a powerful revival took place among them.

5. By the year 2000, the 11th and Forbes facility was shared by two groups, each exceeding 100 people. Fortunately, an opportunity arose to lease property at 1101 Old Pactolus Rd. The thriving Iglesia Pentecostal Unida, consisting of 200 members, purchased the property and received a new sanctuary in 2002.

6. In the 1990s, the Pentecostals acquired a prime piece of land at 2950 S. After years of planning and fundraising, the first phase of construction was completed in 2004. This phase featured an 11,000-square-foot building with a 240-seat sanctuary, enabling the congregation to grow to over 200 attendees.

7. In 2011, the second phase of construction, the Family Life Center, was completed. This addition included a spacious gymnasium and kitchen, further enhancing the church's facilities.

8. Presently, the Pentecostals of Greenville are in the process of constructing the third phase, a new sanctuary capable of accommodating 300-400 people. This ongoing expansion reflects their commitment to continued growth and service to the community.

Over the past four decades, we have embarked on an extraordinary journey. Not only did we establish the Pentecostals of Greenville, but we were also able to play pivotal roles in the establishment of multiple churches:

  • Washington, NC - New Life Assembly, Pastor and Sis. Jerry Stroh

  • Williamston, NC - Praise Tabernacle, Pastor and Sis. Mark Coburn

  • New Bern, NC - Pastor and Sis. Javier Moreno 

    Tarboro, NC - daughter work of Iglesia Pentecostal

    Winterville - Pastor and Sis. William Still

  • Pentecostals of Greene County - Pastor Ron Lappin/Spanish Pastor Francisco Alanise

We are grateful for our part in spreading the apostolic message in Eastern North Carolina. Together, the Pentecostals of Greenville and Iglesia Pentecostal have seen more than 2500 people baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. We are thankful and expect greater things to come.