Oliver F. Fauss
Oliver Franklin Fauss was born in 1898 in Gage, Oklahoma. His childhood was shaped by prayer meetings, revivals, and a deep hunger for God. As a young boy, he witnessed a Pentecostal meeting that stirred his soul and planted a seed that would grow into a lifelong calling.
In 1911, Oliver received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and that same year his family moved to Houston, Texas. At just seventeen, he began preaching the gospel with boldness, holding revivals across Texas and Louisiana.
In 1915, during the historic Elton Bible Conference, he embraced the revelation of Jesus' Name baptism. That moment marked a turning point in his life and ministry. He gave himself fully to the Apostolic message and never looked back.
He married Jewel Smith in 1916, and together they dedicated their lives to reaching the lost. Brother Fauss became a powerful voice in the Pentecostal movement, planting churches, preaching across the South, and helping lead others into deeper truth.
In 1945, he played a vital role in the historic merger that formed the United Pentecostal Church International. He served the UPCI as Assistant General Superintendent from 1947 to 1971 and briefly as General Superintendent in 1967. His leadership helped shape the identity and direction of the church for generations to come.
Through every revival, every message, and every soul reached, Oliver Fauss lived with passion for the Kingdom. He went to be with the Lord in 1980, but his legacy continues to inspire those who carry the Apostolic torch today.
In 1911, Oliver received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and that same year his family moved to Houston, Texas. At just seventeen, he began preaching the gospel with boldness, holding revivals across Texas and Louisiana.
In 1915, during the historic Elton Bible Conference, he embraced the revelation of Jesus' Name baptism. That moment marked a turning point in his life and ministry. He gave himself fully to the Apostolic message and never looked back.
He married Jewel Smith in 1916, and together they dedicated their lives to reaching the lost. Brother Fauss became a powerful voice in the Pentecostal movement, planting churches, preaching across the South, and helping lead others into deeper truth.
In 1945, he played a vital role in the historic merger that formed the United Pentecostal Church International. He served the UPCI as Assistant General Superintendent from 1947 to 1971 and briefly as General Superintendent in 1967. His leadership helped shape the identity and direction of the church for generations to come.
Through every revival, every message, and every soul reached, Oliver Fauss lived with passion for the Kingdom. He went to be with the Lord in 1980, but his legacy continues to inspire those who carry the Apostolic torch today.
Orlin F. Fauss
Orlin Ray Fauss was born on August 13, 1927, in Port Arthur, Texas, the youngest child of Oliver and Jewel Fauss. At just one year old, his family moved to Houston to pioneer Bethel Tabernacle, worshiping in tents and parks before a permanent church was built.
He grew up in revival, later attending Apostolic Bible College in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he also evangelized and sang with the Apostolic Quartet. In 1945, he married his childhood sweetheart, Lois Ivey. Together, they entered full-time ministry after the birth of their first son, Deryl.
Brother Fauss pastored in several cities before returning to Houston in 1961 to assist his father at Bethel Tabernacle. After his father’s health declined, he became pastor and faithfully led the church for over 50 years. Under his leadership, a new sanctuary was built in 1976.
The tragic death of his son Deryl in 1964 deeply marked his ministry, giving him a greater urgency to preach the gospel.
In addition to serving in pastoral ministry and preaching large meetings, Brother Fauss also served as the first Youth President of the Texas District United Pentecostal Church. He served for many years as an instructor at Texas Bible College. He also served for seven years on the United Pentecostal Church International Sunday School Curriculum Committee and served many years on the first Historical Committee for the UPCI, helping to preserve our rich heritage.
He passed from this life on June 18, 2013.
He grew up in revival, later attending Apostolic Bible College in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he also evangelized and sang with the Apostolic Quartet. In 1945, he married his childhood sweetheart, Lois Ivey. Together, they entered full-time ministry after the birth of their first son, Deryl.
Brother Fauss pastored in several cities before returning to Houston in 1961 to assist his father at Bethel Tabernacle. After his father’s health declined, he became pastor and faithfully led the church for over 50 years. Under his leadership, a new sanctuary was built in 1976.
The tragic death of his son Deryl in 1964 deeply marked his ministry, giving him a greater urgency to preach the gospel.
In addition to serving in pastoral ministry and preaching large meetings, Brother Fauss also served as the first Youth President of the Texas District United Pentecostal Church. He served for many years as an instructor at Texas Bible College. He also served for seven years on the United Pentecostal Church International Sunday School Curriculum Committee and served many years on the first Historical Committee for the UPCI, helping to preserve our rich heritage.
He passed from this life on June 18, 2013.