 | This article may contain excessive or inappropriate references to self-published sources. (December 2019) |
International Community of Christ, Church of the Second Advent, is an independent Christian denomination that offers a distinctive, alternative presentation of Christian teachings and a new authoritative dispensation that it believes fulfills the messianic church under Jesus.[1] The church functions primarily as a religious order known as the Order of the Holy Child (Jamilians). Originally organized in 1959[2] as the American Philosophical Institute of Cosolargy in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, it relocated to Peru, and in 1962 was renamed the Interdenominational Christian Church. The organization was subsequently known for a decade as the "Mystery School of the Andes" until a permanent center was established in Reno, Nevada, in 1972.[3] Leading the International Community of Christ for more than three decades was Douglas Eugene "Gene" Savoy, who served as head bishop from 1971 until his death in 2007.[4] He was succeeded in that office by his eldest son Gene Savoy Jr. who is now Head Bishop-Overseer of the International Community of Christ, Church of the Second Advent, and President of Cosolargy International.