If people were a little less uptight, they’d see how God is blessing through the thick of all this stuff.
The evangelical “sects” (denominations) have a connection to the early church through its witness, the bible. God has no problem transcending time and space that way. I guess one could say Peter is their pope too if they had to have a pope... but as a crazy evangelical I say no it is a popeless segment of Christianity, but not hopeless because Christ is their hope.
You point is right on the money - it is Christ, the Alpha and Omega - the beginning and the end — which is why I have no issues standing against Islam - and take care to share stories of hope, especially when angels are involved. If you try, you will not find stories like this among Moslems - I’ve shared such stories - they either laugh or tell stories of genies (demons) wrecking havoc in their lives...another tell-tale sign that they are following a curses religion...