Bishop Joseph A. Wilkinson, Sr.
1935 – 1995
Visionary leader and apostle who organized the United Deliverance Churches, uniting Deliverance and Holiness congregations into one fellowship.
Who We Are
About the Connection
A covenant fellowship of independent deliverance churches — gathered around one Lord, one faith, and one covenant.
The Official Seal
Deliverance · Holiness · Power
The seal of United Deliverance Churches of America, Inc. — the cross and the descending dove above the open Word, and the people of God gathered beneath it as one connectional body.
Our Heritage
The Historical Journey ofUnited Deliverance Churches in America, Inc.
UDCA
A covenant fellowship uniting Deliverance Holiness and Holiness Deliverance churches
Rooted in the Pentecostal fire of Azusa Street and sustained through faithful leadership, the United Deliverance Churches in America has been a witness of Deliverance, Holiness, and Power for generations.
Our Legacy of Faithful Leadership
Founder · Predecessors · Current Leadership
Bishop Clarence E. Matthews
Presiding Prelate · 1996 – 2010
A faithful servant who preserved the legacy — guarding fellowship, faith, and doctrine for the next generation.
Bishop Alton B. Richards
Presiding Prelate · 2010 – 2022
A visionary leader who advanced the mission, expanded relationships, and prepared the organization for national impact.
The Very Reverend Bishop-Designate Charles Paige
Bishop-Designate
Called, anointed, and chosen for such a time as this — leading the Connection into a new era of apostolic impact, kingdom expansion, and covenant unity.
Our Historical Timeline
From Azusa to the Future Forward
1906 through 2026+ — the path of a fellowship called to covenant.
1906
Azusa Revival
The Pentecostal fire of Azusa Street laid the spiritual foundation for holiness, deliverance, and Spirit-empowered witness.
Step 11975
Founding Vision
The founding vision took form — uniting Deliverance Holiness and Holiness Deliverance churches in covenant fellowship.
Step 21996–2010
Preserving the Legacy
Faithful leadership guarded the fellowship, doctrine, and shared mission through a season of stewardship and continuity.
Step 32010–2022
Apostolic Preparation
Relationships expanded, national impact grew, and the organization was prepared for the generation to come.
Step 42023
The Fellowship Is Called
A new generation was entrusted to carry forward what faithful generations preserved — advancing with clarity and courage.
Step 52026+
The Future Forward
A historic church. A new generation. A future forward — covenant unity, kingdom expansion, and lasting legacy.
Step 6
Our Mission
To connect and strengthen independent Deliverance Holiness and Holiness Deliverance churches through fellowship, leadership together, ministry collaboration, mission, and advancement — while preserving the identity, calling, and authority of the local church.
Core Values
- One Lord
- One Faith
- One Covenant
- Deliverance
- Holiness
- Power
“Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.”
1 Peter 2:9 — KJV
Entrusted to This Generation
What faithful generations preserved, a new generation has now been entrusted to carry forward.
What began as a vision became a fellowship.What became a fellowship grew into a connection.
A Historic Church · A New Generation · A Future Forward
Our Story
A Movement Born of Covenant
United Deliverance Churches of America was formed to answer a simple question: what could deliverance churches accomplish if they stood together? Across the nation, faithful congregations have labored alone — rich in the Spirit, yet often without a family to strengthen them.
The Connection gathers those churches into one covenant fellowship. It is not a takeover of the local church, but a joining of hands — a spiritual home, a national voice, and a shared commitment to the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19–20.
Our Scripture
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”
Isaiah 60:1 — KJV
Our Vision
A spiritual home and a national voice — thriving churches in all fifty states, bound by one covenant.
Our Mission
To unite, equip, and strengthen deliverance churches for Gospel impact — freedom, holiness, and power for all.
What We Believe
Our Beliefs
The Holy Scriptures as the inspired, infallible Word of God.
One God, eternally existing in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Deliverance and healing through the finished work of the Cross.
The sanctifying, empowering work of the Holy Spirit.
The Church as one Body called to holiness and mission.
Core Values
What We Hold Dear
Covenant
We keep our word to God and to one another, bound by more than agreement — by holy commitment.
Fellowship
We walk together, sharing burdens, resources, and joy across every congregation.
Integrity
We lead with transparency and accountability, honoring the trust placed in us.
Excellence
We serve the Lord with our best, in worship, ministry, and stewardship.
Compassion
We carry the freedom of Christ to the broken, the bound, and the overlooked.
Legacy
We build for those who come after us, planting what the next generation will harvest.
The Free-Will Reformation
United by Covenant, Not Coercion
The Connection is built on a holy conviction: churches unite best when they unite freely. The Free-Will Reformation calls congregations into covenant by choice and by the Spirit — reforming fellowship around Scripture, liberty, and love rather than obligation.
The Covenant of Connection
“One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.”
Ephesians 4:5–6
Every connected church affirms a shared confession and a mutual pledge — to keep the faith, to honor one another, and to advance the Kingdom together.
Questions
Frequently Asked
A few common questions — or read the full FAQ covering autonomy, property, credentials, leadership, and more.
It means autonomous local churches voluntarily join together in covenant — sharing doctrine, accountability, and mission — while retaining their own identity and leadership.
No. Churches remain self-governing. The Connection provides fellowship, resources, oversight, and shared purpose — not control of local affairs.
Deliverance and holiness churches, pastors, ministries, and believers who share our covenant and confession are welcome to begin the affiliation process.
It is our renewing conviction that churches unite best by free and holy covenant — chosen, not coerced — reforming fellowship around Scripture, liberty, and love.
Reach out through the Join the Connection page. A representative of the national office will follow up to walk with you through affiliation.