United Pentecostal Church of Burlington

Meet the United Pentecostal Church of Burlington

By Sis. Diane Godair

    Snow covered the ground that cold January night as the Rev. Kenny Godair and wife, Diane, parked the U-Haul truck, carrying all their earthly possessions, at the Best Western Motel in Burlington, NC. Although tired from the 700 mile trip from Missouri, excitement was evident as they spent the first night in the city of their calling.

The next day found the couple locating a place to live and getting the truck unloaded. It took several days to prepare the small storefront building at 256 W. Davis Street for church services, wiping down paneling and cleaning walls and restrooms that were covered in grime. Advertisements were placed in the local newspaper, "Come and visit Burlington's newest church". A piano and pulpit were set up and 24 chairs were placed in the 20' x 40' sanctuary in anticipation of what God would do.

The doors were opened on Sunday, February 19, 1984. Pastor and Sister Godair spent much time in prayer and preparation for that first service, not knowing what to expect. As the time drew nearer to 10:00 a.m., one by one, people started venturing into the building. Before long, 23 chairs were filled with souls- only one empty chair! Pastor Godair felt God telling him, See, I have filled twenty-three chairs, now you fill the last one!

From that early start the church continued to grow.  After five years in the storefront, the congregation was able to purchase a former Methodist Church at 315 Spence Street, including a sanctuary and fellowship hall.  Since that time, additional acreage has been added for parking and grounds, as well as a corner house and property used for Sunday School classes, encompassing 4.5 acres.

Since the beginning, Pastor Godair has had a burden for every culture represented in the county. The very first convert in the storefront was a former Buddhist worshipper from Thailand. The congregation began offering services to the Spanish community in 1991. The mult-cultural church represents many nations from around the globe, firmly believing that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.

The doors are open for all to come celebrate with us in our new facility on Hanford Road, as the Spanish congregation continues to worship at the location on Spence Street. Pastor Godair and the congregation truly believe that the best is yet to come. To God be the glory!