The Church of God, as it is known today, came into being as small groups of individuals in England and North America who, through personal Bible study, became convinced of the doctrinal truths set forth in the Statement of Faith. In most cases, these groups and their leaders did not even know of the existence of the others.

In the mid-1800s, individuals such as Joseph Marsh in Rochester, NY, the Wilson family who migrated from England to Geneva, IL, and other leaders in Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Pennsylvania began to publish papers that gained wide circulation. Through these publications, small groups of Bible students and individuals became aware of one another and began to exchange correspondence. Circuit preachers visited back and forth among these various local groups, and new churches soon grew up in other places.

Over a period of years, groups of churches formed state conferences and began cooperating in ministry efforts and mutual encouragement. Several states developed youth departments, known as Bereans, to encourage young people to grow in faith and leadership. In 1911, the Restitution Herald began publishing to spread biblical truth. That same year, a Ministers Association was formed to establish shared standards for ministry.

Eventually, a General Conference was organized in 1921 to help churches and state conferences cooperate in promoting truth. In 1939, a Bible college was established in Oregon, IL, to formally train pastors for ministry.

As the Church of God grew, the General Conference expanded its ministries. In 1942, a License and Ordination Board was created to recognize ministers in the Church of God formally. In 1945, the Bereans were incorporated into the General Conference. Then, in 1952, the Mission and Outreach Department was established. 

In 1991, the Church of God moved its headquarters and Bible college from Oregon, IL, to Morrow, GA, establishing Atlanta Bible College (formally Oregon Bible College).

The Church of God General Conference has long-standing ministries that have changed over time. In 1993, the missions department was renamed Lord’s Harvest International. The Bereans are known today as Turning Point Youth Ministries. The headquarters office and Bible college are now located in McDonough, GA.

Churches of God are congregational in government and maintain complete local independence. However, they cooperate closely in publishing materials, operating Atlanta Bible College, supporting youth ministry, and spreading truth through the Church of God General Conference’s mission programs.

The Church of God General Conference places great emphasis on the Word of God, and Bible preaching and teaching are prominent. Bible classes and Bible study groups are the backbone of its work. A set of foundational doctrines has united Churches of God for more than a century.