Who We Are

A Brief History

On December 14, 1977, Elder Frank Beard and family left Akron, Ohio and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina to establish the Raleigh Apostolic Faith Temple. The first worship service was held January 1, 1978 at the Y.W.C.A. in Downtown Raleigh. Since then, The RAFT has worshipped in several spaces before finding it’s forever building. The first service at 212 Lord Anson Drive was a Bible Class Wednesday, June 5, 2002.  Negotiations began for the purchase of this property in 2003 and was faithfully payed off in 2025!

We Believe

  • The Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God and our guide for faith and life.

  • There is one God who has manifested Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • Jesus is God manifested in the flesh.

  • Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin, and salvation is found only through Jesus Christ.

  • Salvation begins with repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and obedience to His Word.

  • We believe in water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ.

  • We believe the gift of the Holy Spirit is available to all who repent and believe.

It is the Lord’s doings.

We are still here.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Meet Our Bishop

Meet our Clergy & Staff

add photo of elders and ministers

“And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Over 80 years ago, Frank K. Beard responded to the call to ministry. At five years old, Bishop Henry Burke preached a message entitled “In Hell He Lifted Up His Eyes,” and being so convinced that he did not want to go to hell, Frank responded to the preacher, and with consent from his parents, was baptized in Jesus Name. At the age of 13, he recommitted himself to Jesus and the church alter workers pronounced Frank Kenneth Beard had received the Holy Ghost. Over the years, he served the body of Christ in many positions while growing in the Lord. Sunday School Teacher, Minister, Church Baptizer, Musician, Helper, and eventually Bishop.

Frank, and his wife Ottie, have been serving the community, in Jesus’ name, since 1978.