Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name "Overcoming Faith" mean?
“Overcoming Faith” refers to a type of faith, hence a faith that overcomes and is not overwhelmed, dissuaded, or defeated in any area of life. This meaning is drawn from 1 John 5:3-4, which says, “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (NIV).
To us, "Overcoming Faith" stands for the kind of faith that overcomes in every area of life, and grammatically, "overcoming" is an adjectival participle, thereby describing a type of faith.
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What kind of church is Overcoming Faith Christian Center?
First and foremost, Overcoming Faith Christian Center is a church of love. People find acceptance and forgiveness when they attend our services. First and foremost, the needs of the people are met by the love and power of Jesus Christ!
Overcoming Faith Christian Center is a Word church. By this we mean that we take the written Word of God to be our supreme authority for life, faith, and confession. We also make the Word of God our rule for church government. Here at the Cathedral Of Praise, the Word of God is taught boldly without apology and without compromise.
Overcoming Faith Christian Center is a charismatic church. By “charismatic” we mean that we believe we may receive the fullness of God’s Spirit today just as the disciples did in the Book of Acts (Acts 2:1-4).
Overcoming Faith Christian Center is a faith church. Faith is a key aspect of the current revival in America as well as a key ingredient to the building of “Word Churches.” Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)!
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How did the Church Begin?
Dr. Gene and Sue Lingerfelt pioneered Overcoming Faith Christian Center (formerly the Cathedral Of Praise) on January 1, 1984 with just twelve adults, and since then, the church has grown at a phenomenal rate ever since.
Later in 1988, in response to the call of God, Dr. Gene and Sue Lingerfelt also pioneered St. Paul's Preparatory Academy (formerly Cathedral Christian Academy) in order to provide a solid Christ-centered, college preparatory education for the children of the church, as well as for the children of interested parents in the Arlington community and the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex.
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What is the church's long-term vision?
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Our God-given purpose and mission is to change the lives of people with the Gospel of Christ; our heart and vision includes both the community and the world; our values are based on God's Word; and our central goal is to continually fulfill God's plan and vision by reaching a hurting world with the Gospel, as we stretch out beyond the four walls of the church, fulfilling Christ's commission to make disciples of all nations, that is, covenant men and women of God (Matthew 28:18-20).
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God has commanded us to pioneer 1,000 churches around the world, beginning with Overcoming Faith Christian Center in Arlington, Texas. To date, the ministry has pioneered 62 churches in Latin American and Africa, as well as in the United Sates.
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God has commanded us to teach His people faith and the Biblical principles that will enable them to overcome in every area of life.
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God has commanded us to train His children through the ministry of St. Paul's Preparatory Academy.
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God has commanded us to minister His good news throughout the world through the ministry of Overcoming Faith Television.
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What kind of worship do you have?
Some visitors wonder why we do all that we do in worship—like stand for so long, raise our hands, clap our hands, or even dance or “sing in the Spirit.” All of these activities can be found in the Old and New Testaments. We believe that this form of worship is a restoration of Biblical worship. Below are some scriptures that will help you understand the way we worship.
Why do we praise God as we do?
“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” (Psalm 34:1).
Why do we stand when we sing and praise in a loud voice?
The Levites “stood up and praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice” (2 Chronicles 20:19).
Why do we clap our hands and shout for joy?
“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with the cries of joy” (Psalm 47:1).
Why do we lift our hands?
“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:4).
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord” (Psalm 134:2).
Why do we sing in tongues as well as in English?
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind” (1 Corinthians 14:14, 15).
Why do our people sometimes dance?
David “danced before the Lord with all his might while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets” (2 Samuel 6:14, 15).
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How do I become a member?
Click here for information about church membership.
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What are your beliefs?
Click here to download our statement of faith.
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What is our relationship with God?
All human beings have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory (Rom. 3:23).
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What is the penalty of sin?
The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).
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Is there another choice?
...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:23).
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How has God's free gift been provided?
God demonstrated His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ Jesus died for us on the cross (Rom. 5:8).
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How can I take part in the Lord's salvation?
Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom. 10:13).
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How can I call upon the Lord?
If you confess with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom. 10:9).
Pray this prayer in order to give your life to God: "Father God, in the name of Jesus, I give you my life. In times gone by, I've gone my own way and I've done my own thing. But today, I turn from that old way of living and I give you my life. I thank you Father God for not rejecting me, but for receiving me into your family. It's in Jesus' name I pray...Amen."
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Can you tell me more about the church's history and its form of government?
If you would like to know more about the church's history and its form of government, then we invite you to download “Roots,” an Adobe Acrobat document detailing the foundation of the church.
Download Roots of the Church.
This document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
What does the church believe and teach about prosperity and success?
To better understand what the church believes and teaches about prosperity and success, please download this free message by Dr. Gene Lingerfelt: "Straight Street Starts at Your Wallet."
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