In the fall of 2001, a group of ordained ministers made application to the United Pentecostal Church International to begin a new district comprised of the churches and ministers in South Texas. Pastors Ron Macey and Wendell Hutchins were the initial leaders of the application committee followed by Pastors David Bernard, Tim Wallace, and Ken Gurley. The last few months of 2001 and opening months of 2002 saw the finalization of the borders of the proposed South Texas District consisting of the original sections 1, 10, 11, and 12 of the Texas District.

Four factors gave rise to the formation of the new district: distance, diversity, growth, and involvement. By the time of the special called conference in Lufkin, over 230 South Texas ministers signed on to the application. The ministers comprising the proposed district approved its formation by a 2:1 margin on April 5, 2002. Presentations for and against the new district were made before the Executive Board on May 28, 2002 and the General board on September 23, 2002. After due consideration, the General Board overwhelmingly approved the formation of the South Texas District.

On October 29, the Formation Committee consisting of Superintendent James Kilgore, David Bernard, Tim Wallace, Ron Macey, Tony Ybarra, Arless Glass, and Ken Gurley met with Assistant General Superintendent Randy Keyes. Resolutions for organizing the district were considered and passed. The ministers of the new district met at the First Pentecostal Church in San Antonio on November 19, 2002 to consider the formation resolutions and to elect district officers. The resolutions all passed and various committees were formed.

David K. Bernard was elected the first superintendent and Ken Gurley the first secretary-treasurer. The district’s official communication, the South Texas VISlON, was initiated with Rodney Shaw as editor. At its first regular scheduled district conference in April, 2003, an eight-section plan was approved and sectional officers were elected to fill these positions.

The South Texas District began its first year of operations with 160 churches and daughter works and 330 ministers. At the close of its first year, churches and daughter works numbered 201 and ministers numbered 350.