The Pentecostals of Greater Hartford

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About Us

Starting with a single family, we have grown to become a spiritual center for many homes throughout Greater Hartford! An incredible journey that began at the YMCA on Main Street, East Hartford in July 1984 has led us to the miracle campus the Lord has provided us at 54 Bolton Street, Hartford. A great diversity of individuals continue to grow, united in our desire to reflect Jesus Christ in our everyday lives!

Our Vision

Our Vision
  • A center for unceasing prayer.
  • A multi campus bilingual church of thousands in greater Hartford.
  • Every week to see individuals experience healing, deliverance, and salvation.
  • To be the kind of church that cultivates Christians who have a peace that passes understanding, a joy that is unspeakable, and a grace that inspires.
  • To boldly declare, as Jesus did, the gospel to the poor, healing for the brokenhearted, deliverance to the captives, sight for the blind, liberty to the bruised.
  • Through a family life center offer classes for seniors, adults, youth, and children that help each see their full potential (spiritually, intellectually, physically, and emotionally) realized.
  • A place where excellent education begins at pre-school and continues through higher education, serving our community and the apostolic movement.
  • A network of over 100 churches, centered in greater hartford led by ministries birthed at the pentecostals reaching around the world.

Our Ministry Team

  • Pastor Jon W. Petoskey

    Pastor Jon W. Petoskey

    A devoted husband and father, our Pastor demonstrates the heart of a servant leader who is committed to life long learning. He is a graduate of Indiana Bible College (Associates of Arts, Theology), Albertus Magnus College (Bachelors of Science, Business Administration), and Eastern Connecticut State University (Masters of Science, Organizational Management). He has served on the Connecticut District Board of the United Pentecostal Church International for the past 16 years, as our Pastor for the past 26 years, and in pulpit ministry for 34 years. A mentor to many in ministry, his favorite mentoring activity is coaching our youth Bible quizzing teams. He enjoys serving a variety of entrepreneurs and businesses as a consultant, sunny days on a golf course, adventures with Alyssa, and weekly dates with his Love.

    Our 2022 theme at POGH is "STRETCH" ~ “Then the LORD will drive out all the nations ahead of you, though they are much greater and stronger than you, and you will take over their land. Wherever you set foot, that land will be yours. Your frontiers will stretch from the wilderness in the south to Lebanon in the north, and from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.” (Deuteronomy 11:23-24) We believe God is calling His Church to walk into the promises and territories that He has given to us. As we walk in faith and confidence that is is the good pleasure of our Father (Luke 12:32), knowing that God is for us (Romans 8:31), we can be confident that every work He’s begun in our lives, He will see to completion (Philippians 1:6).

    Dr. Petoskey, Ally and I hope to welcome you to one of our gatherings soon!

  • Dr. Indira Petoskey - Executive Pastor

    Dr. Indira Petoskey - Executive Pastor

    Dr. Indira Petoskey is the first lady and executive pastor of The Pentecostals of Greater Hartford. She also teaches the Hyphen Sunday School class. A native of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, she came to Connecticut in 2002 following four years of service at Indiana Bible College and Calvary Tabernacle in Indianapolis, Indiana.

    She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Educational Administration and a Master of Science degree in Technology Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has undergraduate degrees in Business Education, English Education and Theology. Presently she is the Assistant Dean in the Office of Continuing Studies and Enhanced Learning at Eastern Connecticut State University, an adjunct faculty member at Capital Community College, an instructor for Wilson University in Elk Grove, California, and a member of the Board of Directors for Urshan Graduate School of Theology and Urshan College in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Petoskey has worked in higher education for the past 21 years in a variety of capacities, including as a professor, student development specialist, dean of distance learning, computer lab director, coordinator of the Intercultural center, director of student support collaborative and intercultural affairs, and as vice president of student affairs and institutional research/development.

    Dr. Petoskey is very involved in her local community where she mentors high school and college age students. She serves as a Commissioner on the Hartford Commission of Refugees and Immigrant Affairs. And alongside her husband, she is the foster mom to two adult daughters who have given them six granddaughters. Her care for the spiritual well being of her church family and others, her direct approach, clear teaching, and anointed preaching are trademarks of her leadership at the Pentecostals of Greater Hartford.

    Dr. Petoskey loves to read and go on long walks, but her favorite past time is to go on family dates with her best friend and number one husband in the world, Reverend Jon W. Petoskey, and their beautiful daughter, Alyssa Rose Petoskey.

  • Ben Castro

    Bro. Ben Castro - Spanish Pastor

    Ben Castro came to the United States at the age of twelve from Humana, Puerto Rico. He was raised and grew up in a traditional Catholic home. He is a graduate of Hartford Public High School and pursued further vocational training at a trade school. As he grew older with a wondering heart he began to read and study the Bible more and more. His searching led him to a nondenominational church where he attended for nine years and was a Bible Institute student. During his years attending there he served in a variety of roles, including musician, board member, usher, and youth helper. Ben married his lovely wife, Evelyn, in 1974 and they were blessed with two wonderful sons, Benjamin and David. God has also blessed them with a beautiful granddaughter, Mellenia.

    In 1999, a friend invited Ben and Evelyn to a service at The Pentecostals. The church family here at The Pentecostals quickly became their spiritual family. He was baptized by immersion in the name of Jesus and soon after received the gift of the Holy Ghost. That experience transformed his life! As he has grown in Christ he has served The Pentecostals in a variety of capacities. Ben and Evelyn together coordinated the Singles Ministry for several years, he has also served as an Usher, the Head Usher, and musician. Currently, he is on our pastoral staff and a musician. He responded to God's call into the ministry in 2004 under our Senior Pastor's leadership. He has clearly felt for several years a calling to minister to the Hispanic community of greater Hartford. Los Pentecostales’ weekly services are Sunday Celebration at 10:30 am and Wednesday evening Bible Study at 7 pm.

  • Aaron and Tia thompson

    Bro. Aaron and Sis. Tia Thompson - Administrative Pastors

    Aaron Thompson, originally from Washington DC, grew up in the UPCI. He graduated from Penn State University in 2011 after which he moved to Connecticut for employment.

    Katiya Thompson, originally from the island of Jamaica, has been a member of POGH since 1998 and served this body faithfully in many capacities.

    They met at POGH, fell in love, got married in 2017, and currently serve as our Administrative Pastors.

  • Kyle Odum

    Bro. Kyle Odum - Childrens' Pastor

    Kyle Odum is dedicated to teaching the next generation of the church the importance of a daily walk with Jesus. As a member of the Hospitality team he has worked to promote a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for guests and members alike. He is honored to be a part of the amazing family here at POGH as minister, comic relief, and fellow laborer in the Lord’s harvest.

Staff

  • Alvin James

    Bro. Alvin James

    Head Deacon
  • Rob Dubinski

    Bro. Rob Dubinski

    Director of Mens' Ministries
  • Tageel and Madeline James

    Bro. Tageel and Sis. Madeline James

    AV Director & Church Administrator
  • Angela Culberson

    Sis. Angela Culberson

    Fundraising Coordinator
  • Judith Fagan

    Sis. Judith Fagan

    Director of Assimilation
  • Kayla Cole

    Sis. Kayla Cole

    Assistant to Executive Pastor & Church Secretary
  • Pat Edwards

    Sis. Pat Edwards

    Director of Ladies' Ministries
  • Justehne Josephs

    Sis. Justehne Josephs

    Worship Director
  • Gem Josephs

    Sis. Gem Josephs

    Community Relations Coordinator
  • Tahira Durant

    Sis. Tahira Durant

    Hyphen Coordinator
  • Interim Director of Student Ministries