The Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God was founded in 1916 as the Ethiopian Overcoming Holy Church of God by the late Bishop W.T. Phillips in Mobile, Alabama. The Church was locally incorporated on July 14, 1920.
Realizing that God’s message was to all people on April 1, 1941 the church changed its name and was incorporated in the State of Alabama as the Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God. The church spread to many parts of the United States and into foreign territories.
Bishop Phillips led the church successfully for 57 years. He died on November 30, 1973 and Bishop Jasper Roby served as the National Presider until May 2000. In June 2000, Bishop George W. Ayers Ph.D. was voted by the Executive board as the National/International Presiding Prelate. His position was reaffirmed in June 2002 and he presently serves.
The church presently has missionaries serving Western, Southwest and Southeast Africa.
The local churches are united under districts which are governed by overseers and district or diocesan bishops. The Annual Meeting called "Pentecost" convenes annually on June 1–10.
The Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God is set up on the foundation laid by Jesus Christ and the Apostles and believes that the work that Christ began must be continued to bring mankind to complete reconciliation with God. It is the responsibility of the church to disseminate the apostolic spirit and life to as many as possible.