In 1964, renowned preacher, veteran of World War II North Atlantic and Pacific campaigns, an educator, Elder Calvin Davis, walked into West Oakland to start Pentecostal Way of Truth Church. He had been an ordained minister for 30 years and was doing the work of an evangelist traveling across the country (often on foot) preaching, teaching, and working with his own hands to build up and establish churches wherever God sent him.
As he embarked on what would be a 20 year pastorage, Elder Davis determined to accomplish a vision that would not be denied.
Soon, he had a handful of members and began holding services in a storefront building which had only a dirt floor; accompanying himself on a single snare drum played with a twisted wire coat hanger. No matter how humble the surroundings, they could not obscure the power of his preaching, neither could it deter those who flocked to his services. Before long, Pentecostal Way of Truth Church had close to 1,000 members of all ages, from all backgrounds and walks of life. Some traveled from as far away as Monterey and Livermore every day.
In furtherance of his mission, Elder Davis organized and founded 3 non-profit, tax exempt corporations in 1972: the parent corporation (Pentecostal Way of Truth Church) established specifically for religious purposes, the educational corporation (Pentecostal Way of Truth School Academy) organized for K – 12 academic instruction, and the ministerial organization (Pilgrims and Strangers), which he presided over as Head Bishop.