As seen on the History Channel The Daring World War II Los Banos Rescue, p. 14

Vol. 25, No. 1, Spring 2005

Bringing the Gospel to the Navajos

He gave up a promising art career to minister to his own people.

Published quarterly by The Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, MO 65802-1894 Phone: (417) 862-2781, ext. 4400 FAX: (417) 862-6203 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.agheritage.org ISSN 0896-4395

Spring 2005 Vol. 25, No. 1 PUBLISHED BY THE FLOWER PENTECOSTAL HERITAGE CENTER Wayne Warner EDITOR AND DIRECTOR CHARLIE LEE: BRINGING THE GOSPEL TO THE NAVAJOS Joyce Lee Learn about a vital ministry among the Navajos through the ARCHIVIST eyes of Charlie Lee, who gave up a promising art career to minister to his own people. He became the first appointed Glenn Gohr ASSISTANT ARCHIVIST AND COPY national home missionary and started the first indigenous EDITOR 8 Native American church. Brett Pavia COORDINATOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS AND THE DRAMATIC WORLD WAR II HERITAGE DESIGNER LIBERATION AT LOS BANOS This final part of the Philippine rescue takes place at Sharon Rasnake the Los Banos internment camp, about 40 miles south ADMINISTRATIVE of Manila. Two Assemblies of God missionaries, Rena COORDINATOR Baldwin and Blanche Appleby, were among those rescued. Yearly subscription, $15.00 14 By Wayne Warner Lifetime subscription, $160

Heritage is indexed in the ATLA Religion Database, published by the American HAROLD THOMPSON Theological Library Association, 250 S. This New York pastor is one of the longest-serving persons Wacker Dr., 16th Flr., Chicago, IL 60606; E-mail: [email protected] of color ordained by the Assemblies of God. He ministered Web: www.atla.com in Compton, California; Hillburn, New York; and other places. By H. Paul Thompson, Jr. ATLA Religion Database (RDB) is available 22 on CD-ROM and US MARC format directly from ATLA, as well as online through five aggregators: OCLC’s FirstSearch, EBSCO Information Services, SilverPlatter, Ovid SCRATCH ANKLE’S Technologies, and Cambridge Scientific COUNTERPART TO JOAN OF ARC Abstracts. Microfilm of Heritage is Mary Watford Stabler began preaching at age 16 and available from Theological Research founded a church in the Scratch Ankle community of Exchange Network (TREN), P.O. Box Alabama in 1939. She is still pastoring the church 66 years 30183, 5420 N. E. Glisan, Portland, OR later. By George Thomas Jones 97294-3183. Heritage on CD is available 28 from the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center.

© Copyright 2005 by 2 Heritage Letter 32 Seen in Print 36 Testimony Time The General Council Assemblies of God, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 38 From Our Readers 41 Archives Activities 65802-1894 The Assemblies of God Heritage is a history magazine committed to telling the POSTMASTER: Send address change to unique story of the Assemblies of God and the Pentecostal movement. Each Heritage, 1445 N. Boonville Ave. issue aims to promote understanding and appreciation with a variety of topics Springfield, MO 65802-1894 and historic photos, most of which are archived in the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center. Cover: Charlie Lee painting a picture at Shiprock, New Mexico, in 1978. Inset: A sample of one of his drawings. Reminiscing Oral History Interviews By Wayne Warner

John Hunnicutt and Wayne Warner, Columbia, South Carolina, 1991.

After evangelist T. L. Osborn and generations.” But the program is hardly one I had lunch in Tulsa early in May, And he added something we should person. Through the years it seems we corresponded about collecting and look forward to: “When you finally get just the right people have come along preserving church history. “May God to go to heaven, you and Luke can talk to lend their talents and experiences bless your ministry,” he wrote. He things over.” to make the center tick. That includes continued with kind words about the discovering and gathering materials ministry of the Flower Pentecostal Now as I prepare to close 25 years and artifacts before they are destroyed, Heritage Center and the tradition of ministry in the Flower Pentecostal cataloging, microfilming (in an earlier we are maintaining in gathering and Heritage Center in September, I often time), scanning with new technology, protecting historical materials. wonder how the years have gone so building and maintaining the visitors “Somebody has always exercised fast. And I leave with mixed emotions. center, taking care of the everyday this vital form of ministry down I will enjoy changing gears and entering activities and duties of the center, through the centuries, and that is what a new chapter of life, but I will miss the publishing Heritage, and assisting has preserved for us the precious opportunities of heading a team that researchers—in person, by phone, by treasures of God’s leadings, and of His deals daily with history. It has been a mail, e-mail, and web site. Each person revelations given to His people of past thoroughly enjoyable experience. is important to the success of the center.

2 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 Not the least important is the Board of or apartment, but many of them were water, he stayed the rest of his life. Administration, the executive officers in any place we could find—some of It takes more than toughness and who have given the green light for the which bears describing. courage. It takes a dedication to the center to expand its operation. Having a quiet place is important, eternal God. One of the areas we have focused and we were always trying to secure Driving through West Virginia from on is the oral history program—sitting an empty room at district and general Maryland in 1993, I stopped to meet down with veterans of the faith to record councils. Most nursing homes are not layman Elmer Shaw who was building their stories and opinions. Many of designed for oral history interviews, but a house. On a porch of a house next their stories would be lost forever had we made do in such places as Malvern, door, we plugged in my tape recorder it not been for the tape recorder. In the Arkansas; Springfield, Missouri; to an outside outlet and talked about Fall 2003 issue of Heritage I featured Junction City, Oregon; Perry, Iowa; and what it was like to be a conscientious my interviews with two of our pioneers, other cities. objector during World War II and of A. A. Wilson and Hattie Hammond. Have you ever had dinner on the the founding of First Assembly in Both of them started to preach in the grounds? Charleston. Since that time on the so-called roaring 1920s. I remember one in Malvern in 1983. porch, Shaw has published biographical But beyond these two I can look There I spoke at a morning service at booklets of leaders in the Appalachian back with appreciation for several First Assembly, followed by the dinner, District, and we have kept in touch. hundred believers from coast to coast and then interviewed some of the old- Often the interviews became who gave me the time to record their timers who had been around central emotional times for both of us—the stories—recordings that are now stored Arkansas when the Assemblies of God interviewee as tears came while in the FPHC and available on tape, started. They are all gone now, but we recalling the good and hard times, and CDs, and sound clips on the web site have these folks on tape: Richard E. for me because many times I was pretty [agheritage.org]. Bowdle, Evalee Bowdle, Bessie Baker, sure I’d never see this person again— Two years before I transferred from Arleen Burks, Sadie Griffin, Cassie as in the case of Marion Mangold in Gospel Publishing House book editing Grissom, C. V. Kemp, Emma Newton, 1992 and a very ill John Hunnicutt in to the Archives, I was impressed with and Eloise Null. Columbia, South Carolina, in 1991. the potential of the tape recorder in Sometimes you have to set up a And I think of Everett Kelly telling me gathering history from our pioneers. makeshift studio in a hotel room while of his son who was a high school athlete Oral history, it is called. One of my attending district councils, like we did but went away to Vietnam where he lost first interviewees the next year in 1979 with former district official Benson his life. was former general superintendent E. Compton in Des Moines, Iowa; with These are difficult things to talk S. Williams, then 94 years old. What song writer and inner city youth worker about. a thrill to sit with this Azusa Street Marvin Frey in Hagerstown, Maryland; Revival veteran at Maranatha Village in with former Kentucky superintendent Springfield and push the record button. James Ellis in Lexington; with former A year later I received my “second Southern California superintendent L. blessing” when William Menzies E. Halvorson and his wife Beryle; and invited me to accompany him and with former district official George his Assemblies of God Theological Mandel and his wife Marguerite in Seminary class to Maranatha where Dr. Springfield, Illinois. Menzies interviewed Brother Williams And while in Kentucky, I drove on my tape recorder. How well I 50 miles or so east of Lexington to remember Dr. Menzies asking this old interview Kentucky mountain ministry veteran to pray for the students at the pioneer Marion Mangold. As I left his close of the session. May we never house and drove down the mountain, I forget that hour and that prayer! had a feeling it was my one and only And the recording will be available visit with this honored pioneer who in some form long after all of us are went to the mountain ministry during gone. the Great Depression with hardly Most of our collected interviews enough money for gas. Despite the were conducted in conference rooms, hard times in places where he couldn’t Ibbie (Mrs. J. O.) Savell, Baytown, my office, or the interviewee’s home use a car, had no electricity nor running Texas, 1991.

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 3 has outlasted tornadoes, windstorms, experts and even McMath. W. Grady Mizelle gave me a church history lesson in the Hurley, Mississippi, area, telling me of his father’s early ministry and giving me a tour of an old Methodist campground. And the seafood dinner along the Pascagoula waterfront with the Mizelles was a delightful experience. She wasn’t well at the time and was in her 90s, but Faith Montgomery Berry courageously told of her father and mother, George and Carrie Judd Montgomery, and their international ministry at Home of Peace in Oakland, California. The founders are long gone, but the ministry continues. Willie Millsaps, left, and David Lee Floyd, 1981. Both attended the Others interviewees had connections organizational meeting in 1914. with pioneers such as two of the best- known women evangelists in American Several interviews were over the honored but was in dishonor, charged church history, Aimee Semple telephone, like with William McCann, with immoral conduct with girls in his McPherson and Maria Woodworth- who recounted his very successful congregation. Etter. Others counted the founder of ministry with servicemen in First Many of my interviewees “dropped the Women’s Missionary Council (now Assembly, Abilene, Texas, during names” or told of their accomplishments, Women’s Ministries), Etta Calhoun World War II. Some of those young but I loved it because it helped make as a friend. Several, like “Mother” men did not return from overseas connections, like Paul and Madge Alice Reynolds Flower knew all of battles, but McCann had the joy of Franklin who told me that they were the general superintendents. Other ministering to them before they left. the first couple to be married in Aimee interviewees talked of evangelists, Dining room and kitchen tables Semple McPherson’s famous Angelus the likes of A. H. and Watson Argue, became our “studio” many times, like the Temple. David McDowell, Raymond T. Richey, 2 hours I spent with retired missionaries Evangelist Gayle Jackson told me William Branham, Fred F. Bosworth, to India, Alfred and Elizabeth Cawston, in his Sikeston, Missouri, home about the Bostrom brothers, and many others. in San Jose, California. And just last having his huge tent meetings featured The exploits of missionaries is another fall in Eugene, Oregon, with Marguerite in Look magazine back in the 1950s favorite topic, legendary missionaries Newby Dorsey who told me of the (we have a copy of that issue in the like Mark Buntain, Lillian Trasher, Newby family’s conversion when the collections). After our interview, we J. W. Tucker, W. W. Simpson, Victor Pentecostal message came to Montana. went to a restaurant where he insisted Plymire, and Florence Steidel. And on that same Oregon trip Alice I eat a 16 oz. steak, but—much to his Missionaries who were actually Carlson Smith told of her missionary disappointment—I opted for the 8 oz. interviewed in our oral history call and of her husband being murdered size. program are numerous, and here’s only in Colombia, South America. Sign maker J. B. McMath, in the a few: Hugh and Betty Baker, Far Some interviews were on the spur of closing years of his life, sat in his Dallas East; Sydney Bryant, India; George the moment, but many of these turned out home and told of the early Pentecostal Flattery, Sr., Africa; Hal and Mildred better than expected. Other interviews meetings in Dallas with F. F. Bosworth Herman, missionary evangelists; Eric came at great cost as the interviewees and other legendary pioneers. As a Johnson, Africa; Paul W. Kitch, Africa; revealed to me their disappointments designer of neon signs, he told the Harold and Beatrice Kohl, Asia; Ruth and shattering experiences, like the story of God’s help in designing and Melching, China; Everett Phillips, woman in Washington who told of installing the 40’ Mobil Flying Horse Africa; and many others. waking up one morning when she on the tallest building in Dallas at the Prisoners of the Japanese military was in high school to see her father’s time. The experts in 1934 told him during World War II (see Winter 2004- name splattered on the front page of that the sign would never withstand the 05 and this issue) on our interview Seattle newspapers. He was not being elements, but the sign is still there and list include Elizabeth Galley Wilson

4 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 and Gladys Knowles Finkenbinder in Ozark, Missouri, to interview Vercel House printer, told of teaching a Central the Philippines and Lula Bell Hough Ledbetter. He was a retired pastor Assembly class of boys and sharing his in Hong Kong. These dear single but also had a hobby of collecting radio knowledge with young students, women knew the dangers of going to and repairing antique clocks. As we including teenagers Paul Crouch and Asia in the late 1930s, but they went walked through his house, grandfather John Ashcroft. anyway. Their stories are filled with clocks chimed all over the place. We Often in interviews I would begin pain and suffering, and I remember finally went to his study. And after he talking with people and discover we each of them in the 1980s: Wilson in turned off two clocks, we sat down and had mutual friends. That happened her Waxahachie home, Finkenbinder recorded a portion of his history. That when Alfred Colletti and I sat down in in my office, and Hough at an Ohio interview also included lunch with this his retirement home a couple of blocks District Council in Cincinnati. from my office. We discovered Two interviews were almost that we had mutual friends in cut short when migraines hit. New York City. Colletti was Those were with Lillian Riggs converted under the ministry (Mrs. Ralph) in her Scotts Valley, of Robert and Marie Brown California, home, and Eugene and then entered the ministry Hastie in a nursing home in Perry, himself. Iowa. With God’s help we got Some, like Willie Millsaps through those two, learning of the and David Lee Floyd, were at Riggs’s missionary ministry in the organizational meeting of Africa and his ministry as general the Assemblies of God in Hot superintendent in the 1950s. And Springs, Arkansas, in 1914. we learned of Hastie’s early Floyd was in charge of housing, ministry in Iowa and about his and 18-year-old Millsaps would valuable book, History of the never forget sleeping on the West Central District. opera house stage with other I’ll never forget a memorable young men and surviving on Texas trip from Baytown to San Cracker Jacks®, bananas, Antonio when I had the privilege and prayer. The two had not of interviewing Ibbie Savell, Josie seen each other for about 65 Mae Netzel, Glen Adams, and years, and it was our joy to James McKeehan. Mrs. Savell bring these two veterans to the and Mrs. Netzel were widows of Headquarters cafeteria for lunch early leaders that Texas sent to and reminiscing. Both were national leadership positions: J. an interviewer’s delight because O. Savell and Martin B. Netzel. their memories were still sharp Both had great stories of their W. Grady Mizelle, Hurley, Mississippi, 1993. as they approached their 90s. ministries. Glen Adams was not I came along too late for most well enough to attend the South Texas wonderful couple. And anyone who sat Azusa Street Revival participants, council meeting in San Antonio, so at Mrs. Ledbetter’s table remembered but I did visit with retired minister I stopped at his house en route from her great fruit bowls. I can taste it Adam Edwards in Oregon who grew Houston to the council. At the council now! up under the ministry of Los Angeles I met retired Houston pastor James Back in Springfield, Hazel pastor Arthur Osterberg and William McKeehan. We could not find a vacant Bakewell told of the time in 1907 her Seymour at Azusa. And then, of room in the complex, so we set up aunt Rachel Sizelove came from the course, there was E. S. Williams who shop in the corner of the big lobby. It Azusa Street Revival to Springfield told me about returning to his Los was OK until Superintendent Howard to tell her family of the Pentecostal Angles home from Denver after his Burroughs gave the delegates a break. outpouring. Sizelove’s visit resulted mother told him of the revival. While If you listen to that tape, you can’t in the beginning of the Pentecostal sitting in the Maranatha Village lodge, miss the crowd noise as they poured movement in Springfield, and a small he told how the Lord baptized him in into our “studio” for refreshments and church was established that became the Holy Spirit and thrust him into the fellowship. Central Assembly. In that same ministry—first to San Francisco and Speaking of competing with recording session, Hazel’s husband Portland and eventually to the east external noises, I remember driving to Lawrence, a retired Gospel Publishing coast and Springfield, Missouri.

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 5 Friends at coffee break often kidded them an extension on their lives. I never How long does it take to record me about sending people to their killed anyone that I know about, but I history? It depends on how talkative heavenly reward after I interviewed probably came closest when a retired the interviewee is and the skills of the them. I argued that my interviewees pastor, heart patient Cecil Liddle, kept interviewer. While visiting Springfield, were more often in their 80s and 90s his appointment by walking up to our James Menzie came to my office with when I interviewed them and—with the 5th floor office when he saw that the his brother William back in 1981 and therapy I offered—I was actually giving elevator was out of service. assured me that his story could be told in 30 minutes. After I got him started about his pioneering days in the upper A 9-week Revival in Midwest and a pastorate in Gary,

Indiana, we went for 90 minutes and Central Texas came up chronologically only to the Many of the stories narrated in the early 1920s. Unfortunately I never saw oral history recordings are legendary him again to finish the story. His, like and inspiring. I captured one of my so many other stories will have to be favorites while attending the 1988 Arizona District Council in Phoenix. finished in heaven. After making an appointment to interview retired district superinten- Do I have any regrets? Yes, regrets dent James “Cactus Jim” Gressett, that I didn’t start sooner, like at the time I met him at his home with tape I moved to Springfield in 1968 when recorder in hand. many other pioneers were still around, One of the many stories Gressett such as Watson Argue, Marie Brown, told was about his early evangelizing Howard Bush, J. Roswell Flower, in his native Texas. He admits that Stanley Frodsham, Gayle Lewis, he was not educated for the ministry Gordon Lindsay, M. B. Netzel, Thomas and that his farm background had left and Lyda Paino, Noel Perkin, Ralph James Gressett, interviewed at him unprepared to preach. Riggs, J. O. Savell, Fred Vogler, Joseph But he said that God had called Phoenix, Arizona in 1988, told of Wannenmacher, and many others. him to conduct revival meetings in the an early 1920s Texas revival. Their stories, like so many others, early 1920s. He wanted to preach, he said, but he did not want to return And maybe she sounded like one are scheduled for later. to his home area, Comanche County, too, for soon 22 people streamed to the altar for salvation and 11 were because his relatives who lived there Oral history interviews can be ordered baptized in the Holy Spirit. thought he had gone crazy with on cassette tapes or CDs by going to the Instead of closing the revival, religion. Thinking that God would web site www.agheritage.org or calling Gressett kept the meetings going understand, Gressett held meetings toll free 877-840-5200. elsewhere. night after night for another 9 Like Jonah, he would not get off weeks—a total of almost 3 months. that easy. “We baptized over a hundred “God said ‘Go to Comanche people,” he said, “and we started County,’” Gressett said. He finally a church.” Many of those baptized obeyed and returned to his home were Gressett relatives, including a area and set up an old-fashioned 320-pound aunt. Two of the new brush arbor. converts later became well-known After preaching hard for 3 weeks Texas preachers, Troy Frazier and and with no converts, the young Carl Stewart. novice Gressett was ready to close Gressett never forgot how close he the meeting on a Sunday night. To came that Sunday night to closing the make matters worse, a gang was meeting, picking up his belongings, preparing to throw eggs and tomatoes and moving on. He credited the into the service. Then during the Holy Spirit with bringing him back service a woman stood in the back to the area and orchestrating the with hands raised and began to sing, spiritual breakthrough. One of the “I'm bound for the promised land!” thrills of his lifetime was to return to the Comanche County church for its Wayne Warner is director of the “She looked like an angel,” Flower Pentecostal Heritage Gressett told me. golden anniversary. Center and editor of Heritage magazine. 6 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005

Charlie Lee began his ministry on the Navajo reservation visiting families hogan to hogan.

uring the Great notice of the world around him and on brown paper bags, saved from his DepressionD life was not easy. It was accepted Christ as his Savior. This father’s visits to the trading post.2 even more bleak for the Navajos of decision, along with his natural talents, God used this talent as the backdrop Arizona and New Mexico who eked helped him to leave a wonderful legacy for a mighty evangelistic work among out a meager existence in the dry, to his family and the world. the Navajos which is still continuing desert lands at the foot of the Shiprock From his childhood on the Navajo today. Even though Charlie Lee later landmark. Charles Lee was born April Reservation, Charlie Lee had an artist’s became an outstanding artist, his 14, 1924 in Red Valley, Arizona, the heart. He was always observing the greatest masterpieces aren’t on canvas. son of Dan and Ahezbah Lee.1 All world around him, searching for new They are in the lives of Navajo Indians of his formative years were spent on ideas, and expressing himself through where he planted the gospel of God’s the Navajo Reservation that spans drawings and paintings. Some of his love and power in a personal way. He the northeast part of Arizona and the earliest memories were of herding went on to become the first officially northwest part of New Mexico. He was sheep in the Lukachukai Mountains appointed national home missionary five years old when the U.S. economy surrounded by vast desert expanses. for the Assemblies of God and started plummeted, but this had little effect There, in the shadow of the Shiprock the first indigenous Native American on the Navajos, as they were already landmark, he came to appreciate the church. living at poverty level. beauty of nature, of animals, and Despite hardships and difficulties of the Navajo’s simple way of life. Charlie Lee As Artist in his life, Charlie Lee chose to be Recording what he saw and felt, Charlie For the Navajo in the 1930s, optimistic and look for the beauties in would scrape drawings on sandstone getting an education meant spending God’s creation. Although his family formations near his flocks or trace 9 months a year in the white man’s adhered to the traditional Native figures in the sand around his family’s school and 3 months with his own American ways and did not worship hogan. Other times he would use family. At seven years of age, Charlie the God of the Bible, Charlie Lee took charcoal from the fire to make sketches left his little desert home to attend a

8 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 Christian boarding school where he Heard’s Museum, Phoenix, Arizona; learned to speak and read the “white and DeYoung Art Memorial, San man’s language.” During this time Francisco, California. He also had a he continued to cultivate his artistic one-man presentation in Santa Fe and talents and enjoyed painting. In later did several traveling exhibits in the years, Charlie said, “I like to paint. It’s United States and abroad. For most a part of me. If I go without painting of his exhibits he received recognition for a number of days or weeks, I begin and cash awards.6 to feel restless. And I sit down and In a feature article on his sketches paint, paint, paint till I get it out of my and paintings, Arizona Highways system.”3 During his boarding school magazine reported: “Charlie Lee is years he also was introduced to the one of the two youngest painters to Christian faith and a whole new world attain prominence with his painting of learning. When he would return today … If he can spend more time home in the summers he began to on his painting it is safe to say he question some of the Navajo ways and will be one of the outstanding Navajo did not partake of the medicine man’s painters of future years.”7 With all this worship. Yet his conversion did not publicity, the Smithsonian Institute in come until many years later. Washington, D.C. decided to purchase Charlie and Coralie Lee with two of their children, Eric and Rebecca, Each year his budding genius as an one of his paintings for its Navajo art in 1958. artist found new avenues of expression. collection. He showed such skill at painting and One particular incident launched his silversmithing in high school that his Searching For Answers search for knowledge. “I stood among instructor encouraged him to attend the As he completed high school, the the circular mounds and scattered cedar Santa Fe Indian School as a special art future looked promising for the young logs, a small Indian boy, and looked student. Indian artist. He could see wealth and across a small canyon. I shouted into His first painting there was a security far beyond the reach of most the vast emptiness and heard the echo familiar subject, one he’d seen many of his people. But though he loved shouting back. Wonderingly I cried, times on the reservation—an Indian to paint and enjoyed the publicity, ‘Who is talking to me. Who dares to boy straddling a palomino horse. The Charlie was not satisfied. He sensed mock Yel Ha Yah?’” (“Yel Ha Yah” is day after he painted it, the picture was more in human existence than a subject Charlie’s Navajo name, meaning “He bought by an art student visiting from for the artist’s brush, and he searched who goes off in anger,” as a warrior the University of New Mexico. The for answers—for himself and for his departing for battle.)8 principal of the art school bought his people. This began his search, not second painting. After that it seemed During his childhood outdoors, he for knowledge alone, but for an every painting was sold almost as soon often observed the ways of nature and understanding of God and life itself. as he completed it.4 reflected on the beauties of nature. He “I wondered what it meant, what was After graduation, Lee supported noted the season and weather changes, its purpose, and what happened after himself by painting. He sold his work and to young Charlie, the billowing death.” to art dealers in the capital city of clouds, the driving rains, and the There was a war going on within his Santa Fe and elsewhere. In the fall of drifting snow all spoke of the Creator. soul, but this man was so special that 1946 he had his first art exhibit at the Prayer and worship were a God came searching for him. He spoke New Mexico State Fair. His showing natural part of Indian life. Charlie’s to him through nature at the Shiprock included four paintings, and when the grandparents believed in a higher power. reservation and then later through an judging was completed, he received In fact, they believed in many gods. Apache friend. The war ended later four of the nine prizes awarded. He Mountains spoke to them of power when he yielded his heart and life to took first and third place in animal and became objects of their worship. Christ and signed a “peace treaty” to figures, as well as first and third place Lightning and thunder were viewed as serve God with all of his being. in the home life category.5 manifestations of the gods. But nothing He went on to exhibit at the Indian in the Navajo religion brought Charlie A Step of Faith Ceremonial in Gallup, New Mexico; satisfaction, and the daily routine of During his high school years he the State Art Museum in Santa Fe; and Christianity he embraced at boarding became aware of the seriousness of the Philbrook Art Museum of Tulsa, school only caused him to be more life. He was faced with opportunities Oklahoma. Other showings included confused than ever. for prosperity and a life of ease through

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 9 his artwork. Yet at the same time he people, and he longed for a way to help his catechism, been confirmed, and realized something else. “I became them. he always thought, I went through the increasingly aware of the physical and During the summer after graduating process, so I’m a Christian. It was like spiritual conditions among my own from high school, an Apache school being a member of a club. people, the Navajos. I learned that friend invited Charlie to visit his home Now his old ways were being my people were living far below the on the San Carlos Reservation in challenged. He recognized that he was white man’s standard of living. They Arizona. a sinner, and he needed to repent of were acquainted with poverty, sickness As they traveled to Arizona, his his sin, be converted, and born again. of every kind, and worst of all, a low friend said, “Charlie, my people, my He decided that he must take a step of moral standard.” relatives, are not like the people that faith, and he prayed, “From this day you see. They are a little more on I’ll not sin against God. From this enthusiastic about their religion than point on, I’m going to accept Christ the ordinary walk of people.” He as my personal Savior.” He made went on to warn Charlie, “When this commitment on New Year’s Day, you go there you’re going to find 1948, and this decision brought a new that church is almost the whole of purpose for his life. their lives. So, if they act a little Although he never lost his love unconventional, you’ll know why.”10 for painting, Charlie’s new mission Everything his friend said was in life was to preach the gospel. “I true. His relatives were different. knew I was a sinner. But to me this But instead of being scared or salvation … was more than a thing just uncomfortable, the Navajo visitor for me. I began to reason this way: I was greatly impressed and deeply want to help my people; lift them out moved. Charlie reported his of their ignorance and darkness. The reaction: “This was my first contact best thing I can offer them is the story with the Assemblies of God and, of Jesus because it is of eternal value of course, with the Pentecostal … I was more concerned with their movement. And it was there that I needs than my own. I felt that I had saw the reality of Christianity. I was been chosen as an instrument through brought up in churches that were which God could reveal His salvation formal, so I accepted Christianity to them.”12 “I continued my artwork,” in a more nominal church and he says, “but my whole life turned in believed during those early years that direction—of wanting to share the Charlie Lee and his artwork were that I was a Christian because my good news with my people.” featured on the front cover of the April 24, 1960 issue of the Pentecostal name was registered in that church, a As Charlie’s desire to reach the Evangel. denomination.” Navajos with the gospel grew, he He saw a different kind of faith realized his need of God’s enablement “In the days of old, the people listened among these people. They were and power if he was actually to win to the medicine man. They respected enthusiastic and sincere. He says, “I them to Christ. And, as he worshiped what he taught concerning spiritual went to the missions, and I believe with the Pentecostal believers, he things and upheld the moral standard, in the teaching, and I appreciated the realized God had provided just what but now he was no longer a leader. teaching and high moral standards that he needed with the baptism in the Holy The old folks were no longer respected it taught. But when I came into contact Spirit. “I sought until I received this because they were thought to be old- with these people, it was a different glorious infilling. Then I desired to fashioned and not up-to-date on what thing altogether. They lived it from learn more of the Word of God.” Soon the white man taught. What the white day to day! They prayed every day. he began making plans to go to Bible man taught was not always within There wasn’t any time of the day school and to enter the ministry. the confines of the school or mission when someone wasn’t talking about station, but in the towns on the outskirts Jesus.”11 Bringing the Gospel of the Navajo reservations. Many white Charlie liked what he saw and heard. to the Navajos men merely took advantage of the Before this time, he had practiced Charlie enrolled at Central Bible Indians’ ignorance, leading them into Christianity as he knew it, but he Institute (now Central Bible College) every type of sin and degradation.”9 did not have a personal experience in Springfield, Missouri, in the fall Charlie felt a strong burden for his with Jesus Christ. He had learned of 1948.13 For three years he studied

10 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 the Bible and other courses related to his positive outlook on life, could make of Native American missions because Christian ministry. After graduation the rest of that song happen: “Where often these works would give the Indian in 1951, he was licensed to preach seldom is heard a discouraging word, a handout without actually ministering and began visiting Indian churches and the skies are not cloudy all day.” to real needs. Even the Navajos across the country to learn firsthand Just as Christ brought meaning to his recognized that the new church the what was being done to reach Native life, he was glad to share the gospel’s Lees were starting was a different kind Americans with the gospel. He traveled message of hope and love to all who of mission. extensively in the West and Midwest would listen. At first some came around, Charlie part of the United States and then into In 1953, he returned to New Mexico reported, expecting old clothing and Canada to observe what missionaries to begin a mission work. During free food. Their question seemed to were doing and to learn what they his travels through the Midwest, be, “When are you going to put on the were projecting for future development Charlie became interested in Coralie big feed?” But when they realized the in missions. After this, with approval Christensen of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lees were not offering charity, but a of the Assemblies of God as a home and they were married before he began change from their unhappy ways, the missionary, he began visiting churches his ministry on the reservation. The free meal seekers dropped off, and the to raise support for a new effort to win two had met in Bible school where Indians with real spiritual hunger and the Navajos to Christ. In March 1952 they were members of the same class, need began coming in their place.16 Charlie Lee became the first officially but their romance did not develop Instead of giving people free handouts, appointed national home missionary for until later. Coralie had trained for he promoted a changed lifestyle—a the newly-organized Home Missions the ministry, feeling God’s call to be new life in Jesus Christ. Department.14 From 1952 to 1973 he a missionary, and she joined Charlie Today, more than 50 years later, was an appointed home missionary. in a dedication to reaching Native the church is strong and the work Although Charlie Lee had tasted Americans with the gospel. is prospering, but it wasn’t always the fruits of fame and fortune through Charlie was quick to point out so. When the Lees returned to the his artwork, and even though he had that the objective of their ministry reservation in 1953, there were no traveled to many places in the U.S., the was always to establish a work that Pentecostal believers and the nearest longing of his heart was to work among would be Indian and yet not a mission. Assemblies of God church, an Anglo his people, the Navajos. And so, for the He founded Mesa View Assembly congregation, was 30 miles away in rest of his life, Charlie Lee lived out the of God, which under his leadership Farmington. The new work faced dream of living “where the deer and the soon became fully self-supporting and difficulty from the outset. antelope roam” as well as among sheep self-governing, with more than 200 For Charlie and his new bride, and goats amid the quiet beauty of the members.15 finding a suitable house at Shiprock New Mexico desert. And Charlie, with He objected to the common concept proved to be a problem. None were for rent, and they could not afford to build. For a time, they were forced to live with friends in Cortez, Colorado, which was 70 miles away. Driving over regularly, they visited the Navajos in their hogans on the far reaches of the reservations and held services for those who were interested. When they permanently settled in Shiprock, they initially camped with the people, using their station wagon for living quarters. But the going was slow. The Navajos, bound by superstition, alcohol, and other problems were slow to respond. The missionary couple labored 18 months before claiming their first convert. Initially, Charlie’s own family did not welcome his ministry. Only his brother Harry received his testimony and accepted Christ as Savior.17 Church services were held outside and in Charlie Lee’s two-room house. During this time they were doing

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 11 their best to get a permit to build a Sunday school in the bedroom for the evangelism and Christian teaching. church and parsonage on the reservation. children while Charlie ministered in Although the Navajo’s standard of Finally, after three appearances before the living room and kitchen to adults. living has raised considerably, it is still the Tribal Council, he won approval By the time their building permit was far below the national average. to build a house. After all, he was a granted and construction began on But whatever problems the Navajos Navajo, and this gave him the legal their church building, 45 people were and other Indian tribes may face, right to build a home on the reservation regularly crowding into the Lee home Charlie Lee was always convinced anywhere land was available. But the each week for worship.20 that Jesus Christ is the answer. In approval did not include permission Work began on the building in 1955 addition to reaching out to the lost in to build a church. There were already and took two years to finish. The his community, he served for 10 years enough churches in the Shiprock area, congregation was full of enthusiasm on the Central Consolidated School the Council reasoned. when they moved into the new 30- by Board, and was held in high esteem by Charlie built his house, a 14- by 60-foot building in February 1957. the tribal leaders. 28-foot, two-room frame structure, They purchased a piano, songbooks, Not only was Charlie Lee the first on the site he had chosen for the and pews and began inviting their officially appointed national home church. The two-acre tract was far Navajo relatives and friends. By the missionary for the Assemblies of God from promising—just a dusty plot of end of the year, attendance had doubled and founder of the first indigenous tumbleweeds and ant hills. But the to 90 and a steady, almost explosive Native American church, but he served Lees built their house, and in faith they growth began. By 1960 the Sunday on various home missions committees trusted God for a church to reach the school climbed to about 200. Just related to Native American Indian Navajo people in the area.18 4 years after the first building was Ministries during the 1970s and 1980s. Twice more their application for a completed, the attendance grew to 300, He also was asked to serve as a teller church building permit was rejected which demanded still another building at the 1977 General Council.22 Lee on the grounds that there were already project. had such a powerful testimony, that enough churches in the Shiprock area, In 1961, the congregation erected he was one of a select few chosen to but the Lees prayed steadfastly. They a 40- by 80-foot church. The original be interviewed by David Mainse on asked God to change the minds of structure was converted into Sunday a television program called Turning the officials involved. Their answer school facilities.21 Other building Point that was aired by the Assemblies came when one member of the Tribal programs have taken place in the years of God on several local stations during Council reminded the others that they which followed. The church has been 1976.23 had often encouraged Navajo young active in helping the Navajo community. Charlie Lee pastored Mesa View people to become educated and return The men’s group developed an effective Assembly of God for 36 years, before to help their people. jail ministry. Charlie Lee also held handing over the reins to his son Eric “Now,” he said, “this young man has classes at two boarding schools to Lee in June 1989. After more then 50 returned and wants to start a church, bring the message of the full gospel to years, the message of hope continues and we are fighting him. He is entitled the children there. through the ministry of this thriving to have a piece of land, but he has been church which today is called Four considerate enough of our authority to The Ministry Continues Corners Community Church. channel his request through our Tribal Through the years, Charlie noted Charlie was a board member of Council. I think we ought to let him many changes on the reservation. In American Indian Bible College in have his request.”19 the 1930s, the huge reservation was Phoenix, Arizona, and after retiring as His statement reversed the thinking undeveloped, roads were poor, and most pastor, he taught at the school for five of the entire body, and the vote was of the schools were boarding school on years. Then he served as a chaplain unanimous. Permission to build was the outskirts of the reservation or in at San Juan Regional Medical Center granted. nearby towns. Industries and highway in Farmington, New Mexico.24 Charlie The Lees moved into their new home construction have allowed Navajos to Lee continued to minister among the and started their Sunday school there. become better wage earners, but high Navajos in the Shiprock area until his “From 1953 to 1957 that was our home, unemployment was still evident on the death on May 10, 2003. church, and whatever else we needed to reservation. Some of the change has In addition to the hundreds of use it for,” Charlie remembered. When been good, but some has been bad. The Navajos and others that Charlie Lee the weather was favorable, Sunday traditional Navajo lifestyle emphasized ministered to in his lifetime, he also school was conducted outdoors, but ethics and morality, but problems influenced his family members. Besides in the winter the congregation moved such as poverty and alcohol and drug his son, Eric, other family members in inside. Mrs. Lee had church and abuse has brought a need for continued the ministry include a nephew, William

12 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 D. Lee, who served as Native American Currently American Indian College Notes representative for the Assemblies of of the Assemblies of God offers a God before becoming the first president Charlie Lee Scholarship each year for 1. Charles Lee obituary, Farmington of the Native American Fellowship of a ministerial student that is provided (NM) Daily Times, May 13, 2003. 2. “The Charles Lee Story: Turning the A/G. He now serves as a pastor in by Four Corners Community Church in Point With David Mainse.” Springfield, 25 Bloomfield, New Mexico. Shiprock, New Mexico. MO: General Council of the Assemblies of A nephew, Floyd Lee, pastored in Charlie Lee was named Central God, 1976, 3. Arizona for a number of years. He Bible College alumnus of the near in 3. Ibid., 20. currently is on staff at Four Corners 1980. T. E. Gannon, national director 4. Ibid., 4. Community Church, working with his of Home Missions declared: “Charles 5. Ibid. cousin, Eric. Lloyd Lee, pastor of Lee has demonstrated doctrinal purity, 6. Ruth Lyon, “Navajo Artist Builds spiritual development and dedication, a Church For His People,” Pentecostal and has distinguished himself as Evangel, April 24, 1960, 8. the first native American to take an 7. “The Charles Lee Story,” 4. 8. Charlie Lee, “Charlie Lee’s American Indian Assemblies of God Testimony,” Pentecostal Evangel, August church and develop it into a fully 17, 1952, 10. indigenous program.”28 Lee was in 9. Ibid. demand as a speaker for camp meetings 10. “The Charles Lee Story,” 7. and conventions, particularly among 11. Ibid. Native Americans, and he distinguished 12. Gary B. McGee, “Charlie Lee himself as a leader on the reservation. (1924-2003).” In People of the Spirit: In presenting the alumni award, Juleen The Assemblies of God. Springfield, MO: Turnage said: “It is in recognition of Gospel Publishing House, 2004, 388. his outstanding ministry and service to 13. “Citation for Charles Lee, 1980 Alumnus of the Year” [Central Bible the Lord, bringing honor to God and to College], 1. his alma mater, that we are delighted 14. A History of Home Missions of to name Yel Ha Yah, Charles Lee, our the Assemblies of God. Ruth A. Lyon, 1980 Alumnus of the Year.”29 compiler. Springfield, MO: Division of In the latter part of his ministry, Home Missions, 1992, 30. home mission editor Ruth Lyon made 15. “The Charles Lee Story,” 10. this observation: “Although he still 16. Ibid., 12. enjoys painting when time permits, he 17. Harry Lee has remained steadfast in gets a greater thrill out of observing his faith and still attends church regularly. 18. “The Charles Lee Story,” 13. Charlie Lee, chosen 1980 Alumnus of the ‘Master Artist’ at work painting the 19. Lyon, 9. the Year, receives a plaque from Juleen beauty of salvation upon the canvas of 20. “The Charles Lee Story,” 14. Turnage at the CBC alumni banquet. 30 human lives.” 21. Ibid. For Charlie Lee, painting became 22. General Council Minutes, 1977, 10. Chikowa i Chuka Assembly of God a creative outlet, an expression of his 23. Riley E. Kaufman, “Radio-TV in Wright City, Oklahoma is another soul. It could have made him a wealthy Department,” Biennial Report, 1975-1977, nephew who is now working among man. But alone, it could not meet the 22. the Choctaw Nation.26 Also Rosie needs of the Navajo. Realizing this, 24. Charles Lee, ministerial file. Jackson (sister of Floyd and Lloyd Lee) Charlie faced a choice—to exploit his 25. Dan Van Veen, “William Douglas and her husband, Johnson Jackson, are talent, or to simply enjoy it while he Lee on Reaching Native Americans,” pastoring at Dulce, New Mexico, on gave himself to the more important Pentecostal Evangel, August 24, 1997, 7. 26. Ken Horn, “Choctaw Nation: the Hickory Apache Reservation. task of helping his people find the Blessed By God,” Pentecostal Evangel, Two cousins of Charlie Lee include Christ whom he had come to know. He March 13, 2005, 42-43. Russell Begaye, who has served chose the latter without regret. 27. Eric Lee, telephone interview, May as chairman of the Ethnic America 26, 2005. Network and as manager of the Multi- This article is an update of “The Charles 28. T. E. Gannon, memo to Central Ethnic Church Planting Unit of the Lee Story,” which was published as a Bible College, April 16, 1980. North American Mission Board of part of the Turning Point TV ministry, 29. “Navajo Pastor Charles Lee Named the Southern Baptist denomination. produced by the Assemblies of God CBC Alumnus of the Year,” Pentecostal Russell’s brother, Andrew Begaye, is in 1976. Glenn Gohr researched and Evangel, June 22, 1980, 29. also in the ministry.27 updated the story for Heritage. 30. Lyon, 9.

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 13 By Wayne Warner

Copy of map used by military personnel in raid. Courtesy of 11th Airborne Association

Rumors circulated through the prison camp that Patratroopers of the 11th Airborne jump while Filipino guerrillas attack the enemy was planning to kill the more than 2,000 guards on the ground at Los Banos, starving civilian internees and military nurses. February 23, 1945. H. Charles Then 130 “angelic” paratroopers floated out of the McBarron, American Soldier Series Philippine dawn. It was a great day to be alive!

he Los Banos concentration If they only knew! American flag on Mt. Suribachi. camp on the 60-acre They were to be involved in one For the emaciated Los Banos campus of the University of the most dramatic military raids internees the situation was becoming T of the Philippines College in history—one in which General desperate. Sadaaki Kinishi, a of Agriculture was just beginning Colin Powell described as a “textbook Japanese warrant officer, announced to stir that morning, February 23, airborne operation for all ages and all the day before that there would be no 1945. Little could the 2,147 civilian armies.” further food rations issued.1 Rumors internees and the nearly 250 Japanese On that particular day 60 years ago, were circulating that the ditches being Imperial army guards imagine what the Los Banos raid was overshadowed dug were graves and that the enemy would happen within the next few only by a story coming from Iwo Jima planned to execute the entire camp the minutes. where the U.S. Marines planted the very day that help was on the way. Forty miles away the fierce battle end of Laguna de Bay, the largest for Manila was finally winding down, lake in the country. Two volcanoes, Philippine but questions raced through the minds Mount Banahaw and Mount Makiling, of internees that morning. dominate the generally flat terrain of Story Update What is Kinishi planning? Laguna.3 The winter 2004-05 issue of Will we starve to death? At Los Banos Rena and Blanche Heritage carried the first part of Will we be shot? found a camp of more than 2,000 the Philippine liberation story— the thrilling account of the U.S. Where is General MacArthur? internees: 1,590 Americans, 329 Army’s 1st Cavalry storming When will we be set free? British, 33 Australians, 89 Dutch, 22 Santo Tomas University in The answers would come within Polish, 16 Italians, 30 Norwegians, and Manila and releasing 3,700 minutes from a force composed of 1 Nicaraguan. It was estimated that 1 prisoners. This rescue was followed the next day when the the 11th Airborne Division, Filipino out of 4 were in some type of ministry 37th Division rescued another guerrillas, and other U.S. military and serving several denominations. 1,300 civilians and POWs at Old units. Most of them had been working in Bilibid Prison, about 10 blocks the Philippines when the war came. from Santo Tomas. Of the 1,300 at Old Bilibd, wo of the internees who were Several of the Americans were U.S. seven were Assemblies of God slowly dying of starvation Navy nurses who had been captured at missionaries and four children: 4 Leland and Helen Johnson, were veteran Assemblies of the fall of Bataan. God missionaries, Blanche Civilian internees imprisoned at and their children, Constance, T Sammy, and Margaret Joy; Appleby and Rena Baldwin. Originally Santo Tomas University in Manila Robert and Mildred Tangen, they had served in China; but when the (see Winter 2004-05 issue) dubbed and their son Robert; Elizabeth Japanese invaded China, the women Los Banos “the country club,” because Galley (later Wilson); Gladys Knowles (now Finkenbinder); moved to Baguio, Luzon. There they gardens were permitted at Los Banos, and Doris Carlson. taught in the newly-opened Bethel and the internees received three meals Now we come to the most Bible Institute. a day. But then in September 1944 exciting of all rescues—this one When the Japanese forces the country club status changed. The at Los Banos, some 40 miles SE of Manila. Among the 2,147 occupied Luzon in December 1941, three meals a day were cut to two civilians and military nurses the missionaries, other civilians, and and gardens were restricted. The diet were two Assemblies of God American military personnel were became very meager, consisting of missionaries, Rena Baldwin and imprisoned. An internment camp was only a small portion of rice and corn Blanche Appleby. Both of these stories are set up at Camp John Hay near Baguio, gruel—which was wormy and musty— updates from the author’s where the missionaries remained for in the morning, and then at 4:30 another features in the Spring and 5 weeks. Then they were released and small portion of rice gruel and sweet Summer 1985 issues. The told they could return to their homes. potato leaves and “a wee bit of sweet author is indebted to several organizations, web sites, In the fall the missionaries were potato.” individuals, and written accounts reinterned at Camp John Hay. But Blanche Appleby’s weight had for information and photographs Rena and Blanche were overlooked. dropped from 115 pounds to 79.5 used in the stories. These For nearly 2 years they were permitted She and the other internees foraged include the 1st Cavalry Division Assn., the 11th Airborne Division to live in their small tin house and for leaves, snails, grass, or anything Assn., the 37th Infantry Division conduct services at Bethel Church. else that would help supplement their Assn., individual veterans and Among those who attended services starvation diet. Pre-teen Sally Bateman, internees, the Assemblies were Filipino soldiers who had been daughter of an American soldier who of God World Missions, the American Ex-Prisoners of War, captured on Bataan and imprisoned for died in China, illustrated just how the Library of Congress, and the many months. desperate the internees became when National Archives. Writing about that 2-year period she said, “I learned to skin a rat at a later, Rena noted that many were very young age.”6 themselves and their loved ones. They converted and healed, and about a dozen Carol Terry, a young woman on were shot when returning to camp.”7 received the Pentecostal experience.2 her way to teach orphans in India, By the end of their long night of But then the dreaded day arrived. was caught in the Japanese invasion captivity the internees were given only Soldiers knocked on their door one day and eventually sent to Los Banos. hot water.8 in July 1944, with an internment order. “Deaths by starvation accompanied This apparent deliberate plan of This time, however, their captors sent with beriberi increased,” she wrote, malnutrition was suspended for one them south to Los Banos, located in “as did deaths by execution of men, week in January 1945. Blanche later Laguna Province and on the southern who escaped the camp to get food for recalled that she was in a gully picking

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 15 weeds, tears streaming down her A Teenager Growing Up face, but then something happened. “Suddenly the Spirit of God came upon at the Los Banos Camp me, and I began to sing, ‘I know the Lord will make a way for me.’”9 avid Blackledge was living The next day the enemy guards with his mother and brother deserted Los Banos. Bob at a place called Los They had no sooner left the D Banos in February 1945. David was almost 15, and his internment camp when hungry internees brother was 9. rushed to their captor’s quarters and Los Banos was hardly an ideal raided the food storage area and looted place in which to grow up. For you personal items that belonged to the see, Americans knew Los Banos best as an internment camp for guards. civilian prisoners in the Philippines. Wiser heads among the internees While most American teenagers prevailed, and the food was distributed were going to school and thinking so that they would have some left in about the possibility of going away case the guards returned. to war, David was already in the middle of the war. Internment camp Patty Croft Kelly, who was a had been his way of life for 3 years, teenage internee, said her mother had ever since the Philippines fell to the concealed an American flag during invading Japanese in 1942. their imprisonment. She brought it out David’s father was a teacher after the guards left, and men in the and a U.S. Army reserve officer in Manila when the war broke out. camp erected a flagpole. Soon the Mr. Blackledge left the family on American flag was raised over the Christmas Eve 1941 to help defend camp. And then the British internees, the Philippines. He gave his life in not to be left out, brought out their the heroic American-Filipino stand own flag, and it too went up a second on the Bataan Peninsula. Helen Blackledge with her sons pole.10 That’s when Helen Blackledge in California after the Los Banos and her two sons were placed in an rescue. On the left is 9-year-old But the week of freedom came to an internment camp, first in Manila and Bob and on the right is 15-year- end when the Japanese guards marched then later at Los Banos. old David. Courtesy of David back into the camp. Fortunately the David, a retired U.S. Army colonel Blackledge internees were able to remove the Stars and later director of admissions and and Stripes and the Union Jack before financial aid at the Dickinson School quality among the internees stands of Law, now as part of Penn State, out. “My overall recollection as a the enemy spotted them. will never forget the day of liberation young teenager is of the impressive at Los Banos, February 23, 1945. cooperation and an ecumenical onditions after the week They were miles behind the spirit prevailing among the various of freedom grew steadily enemy lines, but their fears left religious groups, young and old, worse. People who had had them when the raid began. “Once male and female, singles and we saw those husky paratroopers families.”3 C a glimmer of hope were with their guerrilla allies. I know of No doubt this prevailing spirit now despondent, thinking perhaps no internee who didn’t feel in safe which young David Blackledge saw MacArthur’s forces would never free hands.”1 behind the barbed wire was a key to them in time. Later that day the 2,147 rescued their survival at Los Banos. One writer described Los Banos as a internees were moved across the Now more than 60 years later, nearby Lake Laguna de Bay to the David lives in Pennsylvania; his place “peopled by a gaunt, haggard crew New Bilibid Prison for temporary brother Bob lives in San Diego; of spectators who dragged themselves housing. Some skirmishes were and their mother who will be 97 this around attending to the business of still taking place around the prison, year, lives in Indiana.4 living through sheer courageous will so planes were used for air drops. power.”11 “I well remember the excitement,” Notes Blackledge added, “about noon the Will power, however, can only work day after we were rescued when the 1. David Blackledge, letter to editor, for a limited time when your body C-47s flew over dropping chutes of June 24, 1985. craves for food. food.”2 2. Ibid. Time was running out. Nobody As David Blackledge looks 3. Ibid, June 22, 1985. knew it any better than the internee back on his difficult early teen 4. David Blackledge, telephone years in internment camps, one conversation, Feb. 2005. police chief, a Seventh-Day Adventist “The Japanese [prison guards] are as war made them, not as God did, and the same is true of the rest of us. We are not pleasant people here, for the story of war is always the story of hate; it makes no difference with whom one fights. The hate destroys you spiritually as the fighting destroys you bodily.”—Agnes Newton Keith in Three Came Home, surviving for 45 months in a World War II North Borneo prison camp educator, Dr. Lawrence M. Stump. eneral Joseph Swing’s 11th several key officers of the 11th Airborne Stump and other internee leaders met Airborne Division had earned were pulled out of the battle for Manila with the Japanese officers to request a well-deserved reputation and ordered to report for a secret more food. G as a disciplined, courageous meeting. This included Colonel Robert They were told in so many words outfit in battles before it landed on Soule, Major Henry Burgess, 1st Lt. that it was tough all over: Japan, Luzon. Some had even unofficially John Ringler, and 1st Lt. George Skau. America, and in the foxholes. Kinishi, referred to the division as “Joe Swing Here for the first time officers of the the cruel officer in charge of food and his 10,000 bandits.” 11th Airborne heard about Los Banos rations, told the internee council and After the raid at Los Banos they and the secret raid. the other Japanese officers, “We have would be known as “The angels.”15 General Swing told his officers that all the food we will need.”12 The reason is that internees who looked the assignment would be most difficult Stump recalled a touching story of into the sky and saw the paratroopers and would require absolute secrecy a Presbyterian missionary who lost the floating to their rescue thought at first and perfect timing. Otherwise the units will to live. “I helped Brother Blair to they were indeed angels from heaven. participating as well as the internees the hospital when he got sick, and that is when his spirit broke.” He had waited 3 long years but then lost all hope for a rescue. “We tried to encourage him,” Stump added, “but he gave up and died.”13 On the same day that Blair died, Blanche Appleby became so weak and—like Blair and so many others in the camp—thought she could not go on. Lying on her bed, she was ready to give up. That is when Julia Hodge, a Presbyterian missionary, came by and opened the Bible to the Psalms. “As she read,” Blanche wrote later, “the words of the Scripture were just life to me, and I became wonderfully revived in spirit and soul and body.”14 The next day was Friday, February 23, 1945. The day of liberation for Los Banos. Artwork of Los Banos camp used on book That We Might Live, by But leading up to the liberation day, Grace C. Nash. Courtesy of author the internee leaders knew something had to be done. Someone had to get Tokyo Rose, the radio propagandist could be wiped out. word to General MacArthur. It was an during World War II, supposedly Colonel Soule would be overall extremely risky mission. Everyone reported that the 11th Airborne was commander; Major Burgess would be knew it was a capital offense to simply destroyed. But the division’s obituary in charge of the ground and water sneak out for food. was premature, for it was the first forces; Lt. Ringler would command But two young men—Ben Edwards American unit to set foot on Japan the paratroopers who would make the and Peter Miles—volunteered to escape after the war, and General MacArthur jump; Lt. Skau would be in charge of and go for help. Their intelligence chose the unit as a guard of honor for a reconnaissance platoon, which would reports proved invaluable to the raiding his headquarters. arrive at Los Banos the night before the forces in the next few days. On Sunday, February 18, 1945, raid. SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 17 “The greatest need for a prisoner who is to live again without lasting debilitation is to resist consuming hatred. It is not easy, for hatred is the very foundation of the prison camp.”—Carl Mydans, in introduction, Three Came Home. Mydans was a Life photographer who was interned in Japanese prison during World War II

The officers had a lot to think along the west side of Laguna de Tractor Battalion. The vehicles were about as they poured over maps and Bay. They would take trucks for the slow and would be plan two, a last intelligence information. The biggest evacuation of the internees. In the resort for the evacuation. Burgess concern was that the raid would be event Soule’s force could not get would lead the amtracs across Laguna made several miles behind enemy lines through to Los Banos, the assignment de Bay during the early morning hours and that within 2 hours marching time to evacuate the internees would fall of February 23. were 10,000 Japanese troops. on the shoulders of 26-year-old Major A sober John Ringler left the Because of that danger, the officers Henry Burgess.16 meeting that Sunday “knowing I had 80 developed two options for evacuating Burgess would command 59 men that could go down the drain.”17 the internees. amphibious vehicles, called amtracs or An encouraging note in the plan was Colonel Soule’s 188th Regiment alligators, which were borrowed with that General Swing promised air cover would open the highway from Manila their drivers from the 672nd Amphibian in the raid. Another important factor was that the 188th Regiment’s line of travel would cause a diversionary attack, drawing the enemy away from Los Banos. George Skau, who would later lose his life in a plane accident on Okinawa, would be responsible for marking the beach with colored smoke for the amtrac landing, mark the drop area for the paratroopers, organize Filipino guerillas, and attack the guards when Ringler’s men began their jump on the morning of February 23. Ringler’s paratroopers, about 130 in all, were to be flown to Los Banos from near Manila in nine C-47 cargo- airborne planes. Their plan was to jump just before 7 o’clock when the enemy guards would be at their calisthenics and unarmed. The plans were laid. Time would tell whether they could be executed.

riday, February 23 started as usual with internees dragging

around for another weary day. F This day would be different, however, and the first indication came when some noticed nine planes approaching the camp. One of the many Catholic priests Placing flowers on the grave commemorating the heroism of the interned at Los Banos, George J. Filipino guerillas are former internee Patty Kelly and two of the Willmann, saw the planes but paid little rescuers of the 11th Airborne, Ray Laudenslager, left, and Sterling attention because American planes Gable, on a trip to the Philippines in 1979. Two Filipinos were frequently flew over the area. Then he killed in the raid. Courtesy of Patty Kelly saw the paratroopers, but he thought

18 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 the objects falling from the planes were leaflets. A few moments later he knew that this was no leaflet drop; it was the 11th John M. Ringler, commander of Airborne floating out of the sky and the paratroopers who jumped at Los Banos. He is now a retired landing just outside the Los Banos colonel and lives in Fayetteville, internment camp.18 North Carolina. Courtesy of John Sister Patricia Marie Callan also saw M. Ringler the planes approaching the camp, and she would never forget what happened next. “In the face of the rising sun, parachutes started tumbling out of the planes, and we were all screaming, ‘Parachutes! Parachutes!’”19 Blanche Appleby and Rena Baldwin were in their bamboo barracks when they heard shooting and excitement outside. ‘‘I am deeply grateful [for the successful Rena looked outside when the firing raid]. God was certainly with us today.’’ eased somewhat and cried, “‘Girls, –General Douglas MacArthur look! An American soldier!’ Oh, how good he looked to us.”20 The raid could not have been executed more perfectly. Fifteen minutes after the action began, the roaring amtracs splashed out of the water and crawled up on the beach. By this time the paratroopers and the Filipino guerrillas were in charge of the internment camp. Casualties for the allied forces were light: two of the guerillas had been killed and a few had been wounded. But the entire enemy force of 250 had either been eliminated or driven off. Not even the veteran military Amphibious vehicles (amtracs) pull up on the shore after liberating internees at Los Banos across Laguna de Bay. people could believe that the raid had been so successful. For some GIs it was their first experience being closely associated with the heroic guerillas— an undermanned but courageous force Another internee, William Henry out of the area before enemy infantry which contributed greatly to the success Donald, an Australian and a close and tanks surrounded them. The first of the raid. friend and adviser to Chiang Kai-Shek plan was to evacuate by trucks furnished The internees began to realize that of China, was especially happy to be by the 188th Infantry Regiment, but that they were not dreaming, that their long- free. He had been interned in Manila unit was engaged in heavy fighting and awaited liberators had come. 5 days after the war began. For 3 years had not broken through to Los Banos. Emotions could not have been the Japanese military had looked for Major Burgess waited as long as he running any higher for the McCarthy him, not realizing that he was already dared and then ordered the loading of family. Francis McCarthy, a United in their hands. War correspondents for the amtracs. Out of necessity, plan two Press war correspondent, accompanied the Chicago Daily Times said Donald would be used. the amphibious force for something “was breathing easy for the first time The internees were not used to the more than a story. His brother and in years of hide and seek.”22 care and concern demonstrated by their sister were internees, and it was the end Now the only problem facing the liberators. Father Willmann said the of a long and trying separation.21 military force was to get the internees soldiers “tumbled over each other to

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 19 “‘Girls, look? An American soldier!’ Oh, how good he looked to us.” —Missionary Rena Baldwin

Missionaries Rena Baldwin (left) and Blanche Appleby who were rescued at Los Banos.

carry the stretcher cases.”23 As enemy snipers continued to fire they were not permitted large rations Blanche Appleby was one of the at the amtracs, the air corps furnished for fear they would become sick. last to get in one of the 59 amtracs. cover overhead, giving the amphibious She had to crouch beneath a machine parade 2-hour protection to the Cabuyao ena Baldwin looked back gun. When nearby enemy forces landing place. From Cabuyao the weak on the rescue at Los Banos, began to fire on the retreating amtracs, but happy civilians were transported thanking God—and the the gunner on their amtrac opened by trucks and ambulances to the New R liberators—for the freedom up with his machine gun. Suddenly Bilibid Prison, which had just been they enjoyed at New Bilibid. But not the hot spent shells began to fall on captured the day before. everyone shared her faith. the crouching Blanche, burning her En route to New Bilibid, the One of the freed internees told a back. Fortunately, someone came to internees were greeted by Filipinos soldier that other internees might give her aid by placing a coat over her for lining the road, shouting “Mabuhay” God credit for the rescue, but not him. protection. (“Long live”) and waving their fingers “We know it was you brave fellows Paul Kucik, a soldier in one of in a victory sign.25 who saved us,” he said. the amtracs, said he gave one of the At New Bilibid the internees The soldier answered, “Well, we internees a razor while they were were checked in and given a small know God did it.”26 crossing the lake. “He was tickled to meal consisting of thick corned beef, Lt. Ringler, now a retired colonel get it,” Kucik recalled.24 vegetable stew, and tomato juice. But in North Carolina, saw a miraculous 20 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 event in the rescue. “How could you a few weeks after the liberation, they 1946), 369. have over 2,000 persons in the target were greeted by a tragic scene. The 12. Lawrence Murphy Stump, tape area,” he asked, “and live fire coming Japanese Imperial army—apparently in narration, 1945, and telephone call with in from four sides and yet not have a retaliation for the help the guerrillas had Mrs. Stump by author, February 1985. casualty within the camp?” He added, given the Americans—had returned to 13. Ibid. the town of Los Banos and murdered 14. Appleby, 5. “It is actions like this that makes us some 1,500 nationals of all ages. 15. The division was deactivated in 27 think of WHO controls our destiny.” 1958, but it has an active 11th Airborne General Douglas MacArthur Notes Association with officers and a Voice of the seemed to echo these paratroopers’ Angels publication. General Swing, their words in his announcement of the Los 1. Time magazine (March 5, 1945, p. World War II commander, died in 1984 at Banos raid. “Nothing could be more 28) called Kinishi (or Konishi) “the darkly the age of 92. satisfying to a soldier’s heart than this sinister commandant.” He was actually 16. After World War II Henry Burgess rescue,’’ he said. “I am deeply grateful. second in command but was taking most returned to his native Sheridan, Wyoming, of the blame for the poor conditions at Los God was certainly with us today.”28 where he was a rancher and attorney. His Banos. He escaped from Los Banos but One of the guerilla leaders, Colonel Los Banos experiences are recorded in a was later tried for his crimes and apparently manuscript, “Reminiscences of the 11th Frank B. Quesada, agreed. “This hanged. Colonel (Ret.) David Blackledge, Airborne Division Raid on Los Banos” crucible of Los Banos seemed no less who was a 15-year-old internee at Los which was later published in Winds Aloft preordained by the unseen hand of Banos in 1945, told the author that it (Jul-Oct 1989), 20-29. the Almighty,” he wrote. “Not one was reported that Kinishi was baptized a 17. John Ringler, telephone conversation man could have orchestrated the near- Christian a short time before his death. with author, June 19, 1985. perfect combined liberation operation 2. Rena Baldwin Lindsay, “Peace in 18. Father George J. Willmann. “The without divine intervention.”29 the Day of Trouble,’’ Pentecosta1 Evangel, Rescue Operation: Los Banos,” n.d., More than 60 years have passed July 9, 1967, 26-27. reprinted in Voice of the Angels, Aug. 3. Civilians who remained at Baguio since the Los Banos raid. The list of 15, 1982. See also James B. Reuter, were later transferred to Manila’s Old participants grows smaller each year. The Gentle Warrior: The Story of Father Bilibid Prison in December 1944. See George J. Willmann. Manila: Knights But there are still airborne, internees, Heritage, Winter 2004-05, for the story of of Columbus, Father George J. Willmann and Filipino guerillas who get together their rescue. Charities, 1998. to renew acquaintances and talk about 4. This number fluctuated because 19. Callan. what happened on February 23, 1945. In people were dying and babies were being 20. Lindsay, 27. recent years participants have returned born. 21. H. D. Quigg, “Los Banos Hit: to the internment camp which is now 5. Blanche Appleby, “Our Remarkable Prisoners Free,” newspaper story reprinted a peaceful pasture for carabao. New Deliverance from Los Banos Internment in Voice of the Angels, Aug. 15, 1982. Bilibid is now a federal prison. And Camp,’’ Pentecostal Evangel, June 16, 22. C. Yates McDaniel and Dean 1945, 1, 4-5. Schedler, “Freed Friend of Chiang Sought in 2004 the History Channel produced 6. Sally Bateman Morgan, interview in a documentary, “Rescue at Dawn,” 3 Years,” Chicago Daily Times, Feb. 24, History Channel’s “Rescue at Dawn,” 2004 1945. which will keep the story alive long and my telephone interview, Feb. 2005. 23. Willmann. after the participants are gone. 7. Carol Terry Talbot, “Escape at Dawn,” 24. Paul Kucik, telephone call with At the 40th anniversary of Los Banos Winds Aloft, 511th Airborne publication. author, Feb. 1985. held in Las Vegas in 1985, one of the She did make it to India after the war 25. Grace C. Nash, That We Might Live paratroopers—Skeeter Young—called where she served at an orphanage of 800 (Scottsdale, AZ: Shano Publishers, 1984), the rescue one of the most beautiful children. She later married Dr. Louis T. 222. things that happened in his life. He Talbot, author, professor, and president of 26. Lindsay, 27. doesn’t want to make another one, he the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (Biola) 27. John M. Ringler, “The Los Banos now at La Mirada, California. th admitted, “But I also would not have Raid,” Winds Aloft, publication of the 511 8. Sister Patricia Marie Callan, “A Brief sold my seat on that plane for a million Parachute Infantry Assn. Account of the Concentration Camp Under 28. “God With Us - MacArthur,” dollars.”30 the Japanese at Los Banos, Laguna, 1944- Chicago Daily Times, Feb. 24, 1945. More than 2,000 internees— 45,” unpublished paper. 29. Col. (Ret.) Frank B. Quesada, including missionaries Blanche Appleby 9. Appleby, 5. “Freedom at Dawn,” Sulat Paete, web site. and Rena Baldwin—had something in 10. General Leonard Wood had given 30. Penny Levin, “Ex-Manila Prisoners common with Skeeter that day. It was the flag to Patty Kelly’s father in Manila in Recall WWII Rescue,” Las Vegas Sun, Feb. one of the most beautiful memories of 1919. Mrs. Kelly, who lived in Oklahoma 8, 1985. their lives too. City in 1985, continued to prize the flag 40 years later. Wayne Warner is director of the Flower 11. H. W. Lombard, “A Military Epic,” A TRAGIC ADDENDUM. When the Pentecostal Heritage Center and editor in Santo Tomos (New York: Fred Stevens, 11th Airborne returned to Los Banos of Heritage magazine. SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 21 Harold Thompson

With Roots in Antigua, This New York Pastor Is One of the Longest-serving Persons of Color Ordained by the A/G By H. Paul Thompson, Jr.

On April 14, 1917, Harold Paul in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Although hard that the police might come. She Thompson became the last of six they called many places “home,” they responded that if they came she would children (three boys and three girls) only called one place their church ask them, “Would you rather me take born to Rachel and James Thompson, home, namely, Glad Tidings Tabernacle, care of him now, or you take care of immigrants from Antigua in the British pastored by Robert and Marie Brown. him later?” The other remembrance West Indies. The Thompsons had Both of Harold’s parents left him of hearing his father’s voice was of made their home in New York City, a strong spiritual heritage, even though him singing “Trust and Obey.” His and when Harold was born the family his father died when he was only mother, a well-known Glad Tidings lived on 51st Street between Eighth and eight. He has two recollections of prayer warrior, shut herself in her room Ninth avenues, near “Hell’s Kitchen.” hearing his father’s voice. One was for a season of prayer every morning. The 51st Street address was just the first when his father complained to his Harold also recalls that once during of six different addresses Harold lived mother that she was spanking him so a church service his mother uttered

22 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 an uninterpreted message in tongues, only to be approached afterwards by a visiting missionary to China who His mother said the message was in Chinese, she spoke no understood it all, and that it was for her personally. Chinese Harold’s family first took him to but gave a Glad Tidings when it was still meeting “message” in in a storefront on 42nd Street. Although that language. he cried and threw a tantrum that day, the House of God soon became central It was for a to his life. As a teen, Sunday at church missionary to became a full-day affair, as he would China who was attend Sunday school at 1:30 followed in the service. by the 3 p.m. service, dinner at the Automat across the street, the youth Rachel Thompson service, and finally the evening service at 7:30. He also fondly remembers day—like Aimee Semple McPherson For Harold, however, perhaps the week he spent every summer at the and Smith Wigglesworth—as well as the height of the Browns’ principled country camp owned by Glad Tidings. Harold’s maternal grandfather, George living was experienced when they Although he was born again at Sergeant James. James, a spirit-filled perceived the calling on his life and the age of four, it was at camp, at the African Methodist Episcopal preacher used their finances and clout to launch age of 16, that he and a friend of his who was assisting Sister Craiger, a him into ministry. At a church prayer together formally dedicated their lives white woman, in establishing Bethel meeting in the summer of 1938 the to the Lord. When in high school Gospel Assembly, in Harlem, preached Browns approached Harold’s mother he played the alto horn in the church and assisted Pastor Brown with water with the offer of paying his way orchestra. Upon graduation from Boys baptism on several occasions. The through Bible school. They had in High (Brooklyn) in mind the new Eastern 1935, he became one Robert Brown, pastor of Glad Tidings Bible Institute (EBI) of the church’s radio that the Assemblies soloists for their live Tabernacle, New York City, told the Bible was opening that WODA broadcast school president that he was sending a fall in Green Lane, and enthusiastically young black student by the name of Harold Pennsylvania (now participated in their Thompson and that he expected him to be known as Valley Forge Saturday night Christian College). Times Square street accepted and treated fairly. He was. “I thought the only ministry, in which he college I’d get to go was the only person of color at that Browns also demonstrated practical to was ‘Mary’s college’ (i.e. sitting at time. Among the various jobs he had wisdom. Although they regularly the feet of Jesus), but I gladly accepted after high school was a carpenter’s urged believers to tarry for the Holy their offer, and had only two weeks to apprenticeship with a brother-in-law. Ghost baptism, on one occasion Pastor get ready.” Harold was a member of It is clear when you hear Harold Brown suggested to an individual who the first class to attend all three years speak of Glad Tidings and the Browns had tarried a particularly long time that at EBI. Some years after graduation, that they significantly influenced his it was all right if he went home and Harold heard from a fellow minister spiritual development. He has always came back again to tarry at another that Brother Brown had given a “heads praised the combination of evangelistic service. up” to EBI’s principal, Allan Swift, and deeper life ministry that they Perhaps Harold’s fondest memory that he was sending a young black embodied, and insists that every though, was of the day he received man, and that he expected him to be congregation needs those two ministries. the baptism himself. He was only 14 accepted and treated fairly—which he He saw them as fair, unprejudiced, and years old, but he has never forgotten was. highly principled. They were open that even though it was very hot that Harold fully participated in student to all types of people in their church. day, on the way home he didn’t feel the life at EBI, and the connections he The Browns welcomed to Glad Tiding heat he normally felt radiating from the made there determined the direction the most popular preachers of the pavement. of the rest of his ministry. Once,

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 23 preaching, transporting children to George Seargeant James Sunday school, and above all, for his and wife. These are Harold’s consistent, impeccable character and maternal grandparents. George James assisted Robert high standard of holiness. He became Brown with water baptisms at widely and affectionately known as Glad Tidings Tabernacle on “Brother Harold.” There was also a several occasions. Presbyterian church in town, but as one resident recently commented to the author, “Even if we attended the other church, like I did, everyone went to Brother Harold if they needed prayer or spiritual help.” The 1940s and 50s were busy ministry years for Harold and his family members. Because of the 4D classification ministers received during World War II, he was not drafted into Harold’s father, James military service, although both of his Thompson, also left him a brothers served.4 Wanting to refine strong spiritual heritage. Harold’s singing talent, in 1947 Marie Brown paid the wife of evangelist while he and a group of students were spoke with Harold, and he agreed to David McDowell to give him voice conducting a church service in which spend the summer of 1940 in Hillburn lessons. He was in the middle of a he was scheduled to preach, he saw a helping to found what would become voice lesson in February 1948 when he bright light from behind the pulpit and Lighthouse Assembly.2 By the time heard the shocking news that Robert heard God’s audible voice say to him he graduated from EBI in 1941 he had Brown had died. “I am here to help you.” That night become so widely respected and was During these same years his he said he was so anointed that, “I such an outstanding student that he three sisters and two of his cousins was not responsible for a word I said!” was selected to be the class speaker at were members of the original Christ On another occasion he received a graduation, perhaps the first black in an Crusaders team, helping Billy Roberts very painful head injury while playing Assemblies Bible school so honored. establish the Soul Saving Station for football, but after he was prayed for the That same year he was licensed by the Every Nation in Harlem. Another pain left instantly. These were faith- Eastern District.3 female cousin, Louise Whittingham, building experiences for the ministry Harold received his call to was busy founding yet another opportunity soon to come. Hillburn on the Memorial Day weekend Pentecostal church in Harlem, and his Edward Klaus, the father of following his graduation. While at sister Mae married the pastor of one a fellow student from New Jersey, Penn Station preparing to buy a train of the Soul Saving Station satellite ministered regularly with a woman ticket to visit EBI for a special function, churches. Ministry was just a normal named Anna Solomon at a facility he heard God say, “Go to Hillburn.” part of his family’s life. In addition, for indigent sick people in Rockland Immediately he altered his plans, and in the mid-1950s Harold passed the County, New York. Sister Solomon when he arrived in Hillburn he found civil service examination and began was also conducting prayer meetings Sister Solomon holding a service and working for the U.S. Post Office in and Sunday school classes for children waiting for another minister who never Brooklyn. in her home village of Hillburn, New showed up, so Harold spoke instead. On June 17, 1948, the General York, about 35 miles northwest of He soon started ministering Council of the Assemblies of God Manhattan, on the New Jersey border. there regularly, and eventually Anna ordained Harold Thompson to the Both she and the people she ministered Solomon and her husband, Trueheart, ministry.5 It was unusual for the to were part of a tri-racial isolate group invited Harold to move in with them Assemblies to ordain people of color now known as Ramapo Mountain and to help out as a buyer and counter during these years, and although Harold People.1 worker in the store they owned. was never aware of any controversy When she asked Brother Klaus if Church services were initially held over his ordination, he was aware that he knew of anyone who could help her in that store’s basement, and before almost 10 years earlier Robert Brown in the ministry, he thought of Harold. long Harold became well known in defended the ordination of William The next time Klaus visited EBI he Hillburn for his work at the store, Ellison, a black pastor in the Bronx with

24 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 whom he was acquainted. It certainly foundation and basement, and the dedication service. Accepting the would not have been out of character fathers of several Sunday school $5,000 as a loan, the church paid it off for Robert Brown, or surprising, if at children volunteered their time to lay and held a mortgage burning on October some point he also had to speak up for the foundation walls. Harold was also 5, 1958, with District Superintendent my father.6 directly involved in the construction, Joseph R. Flower as speaker. When It is very revealing of the mentality using his carpentry knowledge and the Ford Motor Company built a in the Assemblies at the time that the helping do such things as “floating plant about a mile away and needed only question my father remembers out” the concrete basement floor. After to remove some houses, the church from his ordination was, “What is your the walls and roof were finished the purchased a small house to serve as a position on interracial marriage?” His congregation ran out of money and parsonage. response was, “It is not convenient.” boarded it up. Today, however, when retelling that Then a New Jersey woman by the Marriage and Ministry story, he quickly adds that if he knew name of Lillian Klemm came on the in California then what he knows now he would scene. She had stored $5,000 in her During a California vacation with have repeated Paul’s advice to widows piano. One day while praying, Lillian two sisters and their friends in 1957, in I Corinthians 7: 39, “she is at liberty sensed God telling her He wanted to Harold met and ended up proposing to to be married to whom she will; only in use that money. After sensing that Mary Bagley. So in 1959 he moved the Lord” (emphasis added). Although message a third time, she told her to Los Angeles, and on September Harold emphatically believes the last pastor, Albert Blaise. The pastor 5, Raymond Harms, pastor of Faith phrase gives the only requirement for a Christian’s marriage partner, his answer at the time was very tactful. The 1940s and 50s were growing Thompson years for Lighthouse Assembly. Assemblies of God missionary Josephine became known Furnari, also from Glad Tidings, spent for his work in a five years as superintendent of the store during the Sunday school, and worked closely with the children, not only teaching week and as an the Scriptures, but also such things assistant in the as sewing. Norma Johanson, another church that was missionary friend from Glad Tidings, meeting in the also ministered in Hillburn on several occasions. The now world-renowned store basement Morris Cerillo, taught Sunday school Trueheart and Anna Solomon’s on Sundays. on a few occasions while he was a store in Hillburn, New York student at the Metropolitan Bible Institute that the Assemblies operated thought the money was to be used for Tabernacle Church of the California for a few years in nearby Suffern, New expanding his ministry. But none of Evangelistic Association, performed York. his attempts materialized. their wedding ceremony.7 From 1960 As the Lord added to the church, Some time after that the Blaises, to 1965 Harold assisted Grace Elliot a building program was begun, and who knew the Solomons, came for in founding Trinity Chapel A/G in the Solomons eyed the land across the a visit. Upon seeing the unfinished Compton, California. He ministered street from their house. Eventually church they asked how much it would through preaching, teaching, and a series of miracles transformed that cost to finish. Anna Solomon said that bringing children to Sunday school. empty plot into a house of worship. she heard in her spirit, “$5,000,” so A frightening time came in 1964 While walking into a county office she just repeated the figure, not really when Harold suffered a stroke and building one day, Sister Solomon saw knowing how much it would take. The experienced complete paralysis on his a flyer announcing the sale of that very Blaises immediately replied, “We have left side, but in a matter of weeks he property. After telling her husband that $5,000!” recovered. In 1965 he felt led to begin about it, he purchased the lot and gave With the money from the Klemms attending West Adams Foursquare it to the church. and more donated labor, the building Church, where he served as an assistant A local contractor donated his was completed, and dedicated on July to pastors Marvin and Juanita Smith. men and equipment to excavate the 9, 1951. Marie Brown preached the The Thompsons’ only child, Harold

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 25 the 1980s and 90s was characterized by Lighthouse Assembly an emphasis on prayer and the Word. of God dedication, July Many people were familiar with the 9, 1951. L-r: Marie Brown of Glad Tidings sound of Brother Harold’s praying, and in New York City, it was widely known that he loved to Charles Shuss, Thomas pray. During church prayer meetings Brubaker, Harold he made a point of praying first as an Thompson, and Anna example to others. Equally, he loved Solomon. the Scriptures, and everyone knew it. He was (and is) known to be able to produce a relevant Bible verse for any situation, and in his sermons he recited from memory literally dozens of Bible verses. When people ask him if he knows the whole Bible he modestly responds that he only has a “working knowledge” of it. Two of the most important parts of a church service to Harold are the testimonies and the altar time. He did Paul Jr., the author, was also born in merger. Following his resignation, not allow a service to be conducted 1965 and dedicated by the Smiths. Harold remained in Hillburn, ministered without at least “two witnesses” in A/G and non-A/G churches in the (testimonies), and an altar call for Return to New York region and began a Bible study which sinners to be saved and for believers Feeling the call to return to rotated between the houses of several to “wait on the Lord.” During these New York, the Thompsons arrived in families in the community. Because of years he also wrote poetry and penned Hillburn on Palm Sunday 1969,8 and difficulties at Lighthouse, the church several choruses. One poem was remained there as pastors for the next 25 years. His motto was printed on the church’s paper: When Marie Brown died in 1971, “Concerned with Personal Christianity; Confident Harold participated in her memorial services. He sang “When I Behold of Biblical Authority.” Him,” and he and his cousin Louise Whittingham were among the people split, and the congregation asked Harold published on the cover of the New York of color who eulogized her. to return in 1979. The people quickly District Beacon, and his approximately Mary Thompson actively supported embraced the stability he represented. twelve choruses were put to music by her husband’s ministry in Hillburn, as his wife, and sung by the congregation she became the church pianist, taught A New Tenure at from time to time. Although the stroke Sunday school, did secretarial work, Lighthouse Assembly weakened his voice, Harold continued oversaw the women’s ministry, and In order to devote all of his energy singing solos into the 1980s. was Sunday school superintendent. In to the pastorate, Thompson retired Harold’s burden for the people of addition, she directed Vacation Bible from the Post Office in October 1980. Hillburn was evidenced through his School in the summer, organized Because of the very small size of the regular hosting of outdoor evangelistic Christmas and Easter Sunday school parsonage, one of Harold’s first projects crusades and outdoor summer Sunday programs, and personally hosted in was to arrange for a new parsonage on a evening services. Residents from blocks the parsonage the various evangelists nearby piece of property bequeathed to away would comment favorably on the and missionaries who ministered at the church by Trueheart Solomon. This services. In addition, with the help of Lighthouse over the years. parsonage was completed in November his family he published “Lighthouse In the 1970s Lighthouse grew 1984 and dedicated in June 1985 by the Rays” for a few years, which was a through conversions and a merger sectional presbyter, Clayton Glickert, two-page newsletter that he mailed free with a nearby independent Pentecostal and Atwood Caldwell, an early convert to every resident in town. The paper church. Some misunderstandings with of Lighthouse Assembly and graduate contained brief meditations, scriptural the pastor of the merged church led to of Zion Bible Institute. commentary on current events, poems, Harold’s resignation shortly after the In general, my father’s ministry in announcements of upcoming church

26 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 events, and a subtitle that set the tone: since at least 1880, but they consider it 1941 and ordained in 1948. “Concerned with Personal Christianity; a derogatory term. In 1939 one author 4. The writer remembers from his Confident of Biblical Authority.” pointed out that they were considered childhood that when given opportunities to But his vision expanded beyond blacks. See David Chanler, “The Jackson donate to veterans groups his father would Hillburn, as he prayed weekly with Whites, an American Episode,” Crisis 46 take advantage of them, because—as he (May 1939), 138. Truthfully, the Ramapo would point out—he owed them because younger pastors from other towns, Mountain People have a mixed African- they fought for him while he remained fellowshipped with Rockland County’s American, American Indian, and Caucasian home to minister. Evangelical Ministers Association, and racial ancestry. Over the years several 5. Harold Thompson’s ordination for a brief time served on the board articles have appeared about them in the only proves the accuracy of Howard N. of the county’s pregnancy counseling both regional and academic presses, and Kenyon’s point in “Black Ministers in center. several unpublished academic papers exist, the Assemblies of God,” Heritage (Spring Missions were also given but the only book-length scholarly work 1987), 10, that the recommendation of prominence at Lighthouse. In addition is David Steven Cohen’s The Ramapo the 1939 General Presbytery that blacks to supporting several missionaries, Mountain People (New Brunswick: only be licensed to preach in their home Pastor Thompson thought it best to Rutgers University Press, 1974). Aspects district was not used “uniformly” in of Cohen’s work were strongly refuted by credentialing blacks. My father was told donate to Bible schools, so that the the people. In 1978 several individuals of no restrictions on his preaching, and relatively small amount of money that created the Ramapo Mountain Indians, proceeded in following years to preach in was available for missions would go Inc., and eventually petitioned the Bureau Southern California. farther. Zion Bible Institute and the of Indian Affairs to be recognized as an 6. See Kenyon, 10-11 for a discussion West Indies School of Theology (WIST) American Indian tribal group. In 1993 of other black ministerial candidates in Trinidad were the beneficiaries of the Bureau of Indian Affairs rejected their supported by Robert Brown. this practice. Some of the dividends of petition, but those living in New Jersey are 7. My mother was originally from this policy were reaped when a WIST recognized as Indians by its government. Shelton, Connecticut, and had moved to alumnus, W. Stephen Swan, succeeded See also Daniel Collins, “The Racially- Los Angeles with some sisters in 1951. Harold. mixed People of the Ramapos: Undoing She and her siblings were among the first the Jackson White Legends,” American converts of Henry Schiek, founding pastor After retiring in July 1994, Harold Anthropologist 74 (October 1972), 1276- of the Full Gospel Church (Assemblies of and his wife moved to Easley, South 85; Jacquetta M. Haley, Rockland County, God) at Shelton. Carolina, and his son chaired the New York in the 1790s (New City, NY: The 8. In 1968 the author of The Ramapo pastoral search committee that called Historical Society of Rockland County, Mountain People visited Lighthouse the new pastor. Although he admits he 1997), 130-31, 143; and Allan J. Mayer, Assembly several times, and met Harold is getting older, Thompson currently “Is this Tribe Indian?” Newsweek, January once while he was visiting from California. enjoys a regular ministry to the inmates 7, 1980, 32. See Cohen, 162-68 for his description of of the jails of Pickens and Anderson 2. Anna Solomon, pastor of the Lighthouse Assembly. counties, that he calls the “Should church, became a licensed A/G minister Way Ministry.” In 2002 Lighthouse in 1948. Although Lighthouse Assembly joined the Assemblies, in the 1960s it Assembly (now known as Lighthouse apparently mistakenly believed Central Worship Center) paid his way to return Bible College, Springfield, Missouri, had and participate in the church’s 65th a ban on black students. Cohen, 164-65; anniversary. author’s phone conversation with David Harold and his wife Mary currently Rodrigues, August 9, 2004. Rodrigues attend Trinity Christian Church in was a church trustee in the 1960s and Powdersville, South Carolina, and it later. In the 1980s, however, Harold led is still true that nothing excites Harold the church back into the denomination. as much as praying and talking about David Drake, now retired and living in God’s Word. Springfield, MO, told the Heritage editor in a telephone conversation, Feb. 12, 2005, “I became a faculty member beginning in Notes 1950 and became registrar in 1959, and to my knowledge there was no official ban H. Paul Thompson, Jr., taught against enrolling black students.” 1. A region along the state border secondary school in New York before made up of parts of Hillburn, New York 3. According to information supplied returning to the classroom as a and Mahwah and Ringwood, New Jersey, to the General Secretary’s Office of student. He is now completing a Ph.D. contains this historic people group. They those ministers who listed their ethnic in history at Emory University, Atlanta, are a relatively isolated and insular people background, Harold Thompson appears Georgia. At the suggestion of the who are generally wary of outsiders. They to be the longest-serving person of color editor, H. Paul Thompson, Jr., wrote have been known as “Jackson Whites” ordained by the A/G. He was licensed in this feature on his father. SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 27 By George Thomas Jones

righteousness, and hatest wickedness, therefore God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” From that time on, there was no doubt in this 16-year-old teenager’s mind that God was calling her to preach. Just as Joan of Arc was called to take up a material sword to fight against her country’s enemies, Mary Watford was called to take up the gospel sword to wage war against the wiles of Satan. Major obstacles lay directly in the path of both young ladies. Their primary roadblock was twofold: skepticism because of their youth and further doubt because of their gender. Sister Mary and Back in the 13th century, it was her parents, unheard of for any female to become Mattie Eliza and John Wesley a combatant in warfare. Likewise, Watford, in 1967. in the1930s, public opinion frowned on female preachers in general and specifically those yet to attain adulthood. One can only imagine the mental strain and turmoil that must have raged through the minds and hearts of both of these two young girls when they first They were born 500 years apart become quite sick and suffered a weak became aware of God’s hand in these (Joan of Arc around 1412 and Mary spell that affected her heart. Fearing for seemingly impossible missions. Watford Stabler in 1922) yet the life her life, her father, who was a devout Little is known of this human stories of these two women have many Christian, sought a visiting preacher aspect in the life of Joan of Arc, but similarities. who came and a backward look Neither were born of royalty, but prayed for her Mary Watford Stabler at the response both felt called by God for a special recovery. Has Pastored Faith of Mary Watford, mission at the young age of 13. She told me, Chapel Assembly of God, this extremely shy It was at this age Joan of Arc “I felt the power Scratch Ankle, Alabama, young girl who was said she began having visions of St. of God as it ran Since 1939. initially terrified Catherine and St. Margaret (two early through my body at the thought of Christian martyrs) and St. Michael the and I was healed Is It a National Record? speaking before a Archangel. Her charge from God was instantly.” group of any size, to lead a contingent of France’s army Three years later in February 1938 reveals this gift of the Holy Spirit and against English invaders. while reading the 45th Psalm, the Lord her adherence to His leadership despite Mary Watford’s call came about spoke to her through his Word, “Gird any and all obstacles placed in her in a different way. In August 1935 she thy sword upon thy thigh. Thou lovest path.

28 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 Would not human nature still place lingering doubts and fears in the mind of Sister Mary and one so young? How would her parents, who were devout believers, react when Scratch Ankle, Alabama told of her religious “calling”? Would Sister Mary is a story in herself. residents. her school classmates ridicule and She’s 83, a small woman in Most of them are related make fun of her? Would she become a speckled house dress, her face somehow, said Billy Dees, a alienated from her close friends? furrowed with study and thought. storekeeper. The old Scratch For the following three years, she She wears no makeup, no jewelry Ankle school was moved to a lot kept this secret locked inside but threw other than a simple watch and a plain across the road from his store. The herself into a crash course of Bible wedding band, and never has. She community is a place of American study and prayer as God prepared her has no time for television. Her days flags, cornfields, red clay driveways for her life mission. It is doubtful if any are consumed with Bible reading and boxes of flowers. Those in their l6-year-old girl ever accumulated more and the preparation of Bible classes, 60s can remember when the area sermons, and church secretarial work. of the Bible than had Mary Watford, nor She founded the church 66 years ago had any teenager been more burdened and has been its pastor ever since. for the welfare of unbelievers and those As a timid 15-year-old girl, hungry for the gospel. she realized the Lord wanted her to Her parents had moved from Awin preach, she said. Female pastors to the Wildfork community south of were almost unheard of in that day Excel when she was 3 years old. From and locale, but she was sure of her the outset, the family had been staunch ministry. Her parents supported her. members of the local Oak Grove The Lord had told them, too, that she Assembly of God Church. When Mary was destined to preach, she said. told her father of her spiritual calling, There were hardly any churches in to her surprise, he told her that the Lord the area, and none in Scratch Ankle, had already revealed it to him and that when she began. he thought the time had come for her to She started preaching at age 16. She was nervous, but she prepared begin her ministry. the best she could. She ran into About this time, a former problems almost right away. neighbor, who was not a religious man, “They, oh—bitter against a had moved to Dottelle and had a very woman preaching,” she recalled. sick child. The doctor had offered no “That was something a woman had Sister Mary with children in 1939. hope for the child’s recovery, but when to face.” She has seen children grow to Mary’s father and a visiting preacher One man came up to her before retirement, yet she is still pastoring. went to the home and prayed, the child the service started at a revival. reportedly was healed instantly. Women were supposed to hold first got electricity, plumbing and cars. This led to a request for some silence in the church, he said. But she Nowadays, outsiders are snatching preacher to come to the house and hold knew other verses—how a woman up property when they can get it, just a religious service. “When I told my was the first to carry the resurrection for the quiet beauty. papa that we should try to find some message, and how a woman was an “A lot of people wish they were Old Testament judge. born and raised in Scratch Ankle,” preacher to go,” his reply was, “Why “I told him I know God called Dees said. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s don’t you go?” me to preach,” she said. And others home.” On July 3, 1938, in the presence of came forward to support her. 40 or more people, this 16-year-old girl Scratch Ankle never had any An excerpt from “Roads Less preached her first sermon in this home. industry or railroad, said Jane Ellen Traveled, ‘Scratch Ankle: Doubtless, some of those came Clark, education director at the Mosquitoes and Mysterious more out of curiosity than to worship. Monroe County Heritage Museum. Lights,’” by Karen Tolkkinen, However, doubters became believers as It was settled by small farmers in Mobile (AL) Register, June 16, evidenced by their urgent plea for her the 1800s, one of several communities 2003. Courtesy of the Mobile to return two days later to conduct a between the Alabama River and Big Register ©2003. All rights reserved. full-scale revival. Flat Creek. Locals estimate there are Reprinted with permission. Typical of responses was the lady about 100 households, or 200 or so

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 29 Faith Chapel’s congregation in 1951. Sunday school teachers in 1951, including Sister Mary in front row center, at Faith Chapel. who said to her, “I had previously told Monroe County. minister on a full-time basis. folks that you know, that little girl don’t As in previous places, they Obstacles still abounded since the know anything about the Bible, but I again were met with skepticism. congregation had no church building found out that you did.” Some envisioned their venture as a of their own and there was no money Present at this series of meetings man exploiting a scam using a child to build as the entire country was just were people from Perdue Hill who preacher. This notion was quickly beginning to recover from the Great insisted that she come there and preach. dispelled when it became known that Depression years of the early to mid- Word spread, and her schedule was the only honorarium her father would 1930s. soon filled, preaching in other area accept was just enough to buy gas for However, no earthly economic homes and groves. traveling from their home in Wildfork. depression ever closed any door that The year 1938 had become a full At this time, Mary had only God wanted left open. This time it led year and culminated with a great revival envisioned her ministry as being that to a disbanded Baptist Church in the at Oak Grove Assembly of God Church of an evangelist and not the pastor of a Hixon community, which once thrived in Frisco City. It was at this meeting church, but there was no church of this just west of the town of Fountain. The that an offering was taken to send Mary kind in this sparsely settled area and only surviving member who could be to the Southeastern Bible School at the people pressured her to organize a found just happened to be living right New Brockton [school later moved to church. What a challenge for a young under their nose in Scratch Ankle and, Atlanta and then to Lakeland, Florida girl who had just turned l7! when contacted, gladly donated the old, where it is Southeastern College of the For the next two years, Mary and now dilapidated, building. Assemblies of God]. Although no one her father commuted from their farm Still, two things remained to be that young had ever been accepted, an home in south Monroe County, and solved. They had a building that had to exception had been made and plans services were held in the tent and in the be moved with no way to move it and formulated for her to attend that fall. one-room schoolhouse. Then, in 1940, no place to put it. Faith triumphed again Apparently this was not God’s her father reasoned that the only way to when Mammie Rutherford donated plan, however. Her father declared that really help those folks would be for the an acre of land and volunteers from God had spoken, telling him to buy a family to move to their community. the community tore down the Hixon tent with that money and to go toward Again, the Lord opened the way by church, labeled the timbers, transported Camden. Thus it was again following providing a home place and farmland them to Scratch Ankle, and erected the God’s marching orders that the young for the Watford family. The community new church building. evangelist and her father made their gained twofold as Watford showed the Although a new brick sanctuary way to the tiny community of Scratch farmers how to double their corn crop has been built alongside, it is still Ankle in the Franklin area of north production and Mary was available to used today for a fellowship hall. The

30 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 Alabama District Superintendent Billy Glover and Sister Mary on Faith Chapel Assembly of God. Courtesy the church’s 60th anniversary in of Mitchell Stabler 1999. pulpit taken from the old Hixon Baptist the church’s first and only minister hesitate when she replied, “No,” but the Church, which at the time Mr. Watford is now in her 83rd year and has no soft tone in her voice and the warmth cut down to accommodate his young inclination whatsoever of retiring from of her smile was assurance that this daughter’s height, is still used today. this ministry. Those who know her issue took a back seat to a person’s Alvin Bayles was just a little best claim she doesn’t even know the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and fellow at the time, but remembers definition of slowing down and taking Savior. And since we both believe in well the building of this first church. it easy. the universal brotherhood of Christ, Everybody in the community pitched One lady told me that she ministers we can be brothers and sisters in Christ in with free labor and materials. “My to anyone in need of any kind, regardless even though the doctrines of different job was to pull the nails out of the old of whether or not they are members of denominations are not shared. boards and straighten them so they I can honestly say that, while in could be reused,” he told me. Mary and her father her presence, I felt completely at ease The foundation for the little church formed a team to get her and bonded in a unique relationship. was poured on July 8, 1941, and when How many ministers of either it was completed and the building started in the ministry. gender do you know who have pastored dedicated the following 31st of August, the same church for 66 years and are it was completely debt free. her flock. Another said that she is the still going strong? There are few living Amidst prior moments of most beloved person to have ever set legends, but Sister Mary Watford uncertainty, faith of the little band of foot in that area. Stabler is certainly numbered among members had prevailed—God had met After informally chatting with her them. every need. Thus, when the question in the comfort and warmth of her home, arose as to giving the church a name, the I can believe that wholeheartedly. Her only logical one was “Faith Chapel.” advanced age is completely belied by This article by George Thomas And so today, 66 years later, the her enthusiastic attitude for the present Jones appeared in “Happenings in small assemblage that first gathered and her optimistic outlook for the future. Old Monroeville,” and was published together to worship in private homes, Her pleasing personality and down-to- in the Monroe (AL) Journal, Monroeville, Alabama, April 7, 2005. in a grove, under a tent, into a small earth genuineness easily overrides any Used by permission of the author. one-room schoolhouse and finally into differences one might have regarding Heritage wishes to thank Delores their own building, still prospers as it denominational doctrines. Johnson, Monroeville, for calling ministers weekly to an equal number of I joshed with her, asking if she the story to our attention. members and visitors. went along with my Baptist belief of The 17-year-old lass who became “once saved, always saved.” She didn’t

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 31 As a service to our readers, Heritage Center. Bridge-Logos Press. a retired A/G chaplain. Paperback, Heritage highlights selected A biography of one of the leading 164 pages. Can be ordered from the published books—some of evangelists in the early Pentecostal author, 1641 Kenora Dr., Escondido, which are self-published and movement. Paperback, illustrated, CA 92027. $16.99 postpaid. must be ordered from the 359 pages. Available from Gospel authors. Others are available from booksellers or the Gospel Publishing House, No. 03-7511. Publishing House, 1445 N. $12.99. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802 [www.gospelpublishing. com].

Just Reminiscing, by James Monson. A Hoosier pastor reflects on his life, including 40 years as founding pastor The Holy Spirit, by James F. Linzey. of Faith Assembly, Beech Grove, Zulon Press. A handbook on the Indiana. Available from author baptism, gifts, and fruit of the Spirit. at 28770 Bermuda Bay Way #104, A. J. Tomlinson, Plainfolk Modernist, The author is a U.S. Army chaplain. Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Paperback, by R. G. Robins, Oxford University Paperback, 173 pages. Can be ordered illustrated, 98 pages. $10 postpaid. Press, New York. A biography of from Gospel Publishing House, No. an early Pentecostal and one of the 03-6968. $13.99. founders of the Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee. Hardback, illustrated, 336 pages. $45.00.

Voices of Pentecost, by Vinson Synan. A collection of 61 inspiring stories USS Yorktown at Midway, by Stanford of people who were touched by the E. Linzey, Jr., Zulon Press. Formerly Holy Spirit—from St. Augustine to Maria Woodworth-Etter, For Such published as God Was at Midway, this Oral Roberts. Published by Servant a Time as This, by Wayne Warner, book tells the story of the sinking of the Publications, Ann Arbor, MI. director of the Flower Pentecostal U.S.S. Yorktown, by one of the survivors, Paperback, 180 pages. $10.99. 32 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 Paperback, illustrated, 144 pages. available from the author at 809 Hardin Order from publisher at P.O. Box 34, Blvd., #B, Indianapolis, IN 46241. Bolivar, MO 65613. $17.50 postage $5.95 postpaid. paid.

Keepsake, by Betty Halsema Foley. Paper & Ink, Publisher. The life story of a woman who was reared in the Philippines and who was one of the internees during World War II (see Turn the Pulpit Loose, by Priscilla Winter 2004-05 Heritage). Paperback, Angels Ride Shotgun, by Ruth (Merian) Pope-Levison. Palgrave Macmillan illustrated, 241 pages. Can be ordered Beckdahl MacKinney. Cherokee Press, New York. The author has from Copyfast, 15020 N. Hayden Road, Books. The story of a woman and her extensivley researched American Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. $20 family whose life included exciting women evangelists of the 19th and 20th postpaid in U.S. missionary experiences in India. centuries, including Phoebe Palmer, Paperback, ilustrated, 209 pages. Order Maria Woodworth-Etter, Ida Robinson, from author at 6690 East Highway Uldine Utley, and 14 others. Paperback, 86, Neosho, MO 64850-5204. $10 272 pages. Available on the internet postpaid. from Amazon.com, $24.95.

Miracle at Sea, by Eleanor Anderson. Published by Quiet Waters Publications. The story of the sinking of the Zamzam ship in 1941. More than 120 The Tabernacle, by Roscoe Lee missionaries were aboard this ship, Paino. The story of a church that I Have Been Young, by Gail B. Ott. which was sunk by a German “raider” started as the Woodworth-Etter WinePress Publishing, P.O. Box ship. All were rescued. Four of them Tabernacle, Indianapolis, became 428, Enumclaw, WA 98022. An were A/G missionaries on the way Westside Tabernacle, and is now a autobiography by an Assemblies of to Africa: Paul and Evelyn Derr and Hispanic ministry. Paino’s parents, God pastor, which includes ministry their daughter Ruth and her husband Thomas, Sr. and Lyda, pastored the overseas. Hardback, 216 pages. Order Claude Keck (see “The Zamzam’s church beginning in 1932. Book is from publisher, $19.95, plus $6.95 Last Voyage,” Heritage, Fall 1987). wire bound, illustrated, 98 pages, and shipping and handling. SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 33 With a challenging theme — “That which we have received, we now pass on: Spirit, Word, and tradition in Pentecostalism” — the 34th annual meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies met March 10- 12 at Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Representing the FPHC were Brett Pavia, Wayne Warner, and an Evangel University history intern, Ben Ranta. Plenary guest speakers included theologian Clark Pinnock, and Doug Beacham, International Pentecostal Holiness Church.

These two pages have selected conference photos by Brett Pavia and Wayne Warner.

Above: FPHC director, Wayne Warner, visiting with Barbara Lyles of St. Louis.

Right: FPHC special projects coordinator Brett Pavia (left) explaining the Center’s products to Vinson Synan, dean of the Regent University School of Divinity.

34 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 Right: Gary McGee, professor at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and Masakazu Suzuki, adjunct professor at the Central Bible College, Tokyo, Japan.

Below: Darrin Rodgers (left), a librarian at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, and David Cole, president of Eugene Bible College, Eugene, Oregon.

Below: FPHC intern Ben Ranta (left) and Allan Anderson, professor at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, at Saturday banquet.

Above: Barbara Cavaness, professor at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, presenting her paper , “How Three Prominent First- Generation Pentecostal Leaders Viewed Women in Ministry.”

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 35 Frank King Discovering Early Ties with the Assemblies of God When Frank King would think a child in the Catholic Church. He he held fast to the Lord till the end!” of his Assemblies of God heritage, he wrote, “I am proud of my Assemblies King added, “Heaven’s sounding looked back to his great-grandmother, of God heritage, which goes back to sweeter all the time. I can’t imagine Adeline Godwin, who was connected the early days of the denomination.” the joy I’ll have when I meet Joe for with the Assemblies of God in King is also proud of his Osage Indian the first time up there.” Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She was blood that his great-grandfather passed Evangelist W. H. Pope and pastor converted in 1921 and was the founder on to him. He can even go back farther Thomas J. O’Neal conducted the of First Assembly, Bartlesville. than that as he traces his ancestry to funeral services at the Assembly of God You can imagine his pleasant Jean Pierre Chouteau, a famous trader Tabernacle, Pawhuska. The obituary surprise when he found in his in St. Louis and founder of Salina, concluded that burial was in Pawhuska genealogical search that his family’s Oklahoma. cemetery “to await the resurrection of Assemblies of God heritage actually The Joseph Bryant obituary King the just.” began as early as 1915. That’s when his found reports that he was born in 1850 Frank King, who doesn’t try to 67-year-old great-grandfather Joseph in the Indian Territory and died in his hide his excitement when he discusses Bryant—a one-half Osage Indian— Oklahoma City home, May 4, 1917, his heritage added, “It amazes me that I was saved and joined the Assembly of leaving a wife and eight children. had two great-grandparents who joined God at Pawhuska, Oklahoma. “Brother Bryant gave his heart to God, the Assemblies of God during those Pawhuska, which is 24 miles west Dec. 20, 1915,” the obituary continued, early years.” of Bartlesville, is the capital of the “and became a member of the Assembly He is a member of First Assembly, Osage Indian Nation, and in the 1920s of God at Pawhuska.” McAllen, Texas, and at 76 is not was called the richest area of the world King was thrilled to read, and looking for any other church: “I was per capita because of the oil discovery. share with others, that while his great- born Assemblies of God, and I’ll die The Assembly of God there was one of grandfather was near death, he assured Assemblies of God. PTL!" the first in Oklahoma.* his pastor that he was ready to go and King, who lives in McAllen, Texas, that all was well. A few minutes later, *See Like a Prairie Fire, by Bob Burke, and who has worked with MAPS, he was gone. for a complete history of the Oklahoma using his skills as an electrician, knew “Joe probably faced persecution District of the Assemblies of God. his great-grandfather was baptized as for his decision,” King reasoned, “but

Frank O. King, great-grandson of Joseph Bryant, in his Osage Indian regalia.

Joseph Bryant, a convert of the Pawhuska Assembly ministry in 1915.

36 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 Hankins Family Follows Ancestors Into Christian Ministry

Left to right: Kerry and Faith (Hankins) Wood, Mark and Trina Hankins, Michael and Vicki Hankins, Bob and Candy Hankins.

When Gail Lester saw the Heritage Letter Michael and Vicki Hankins their international ministry. Mark has in the Fall 2004 issue of Heritage featuring (Robert and Rachel’s oldest grandson) multiple media ministries, is the author Robert and Rachel Hankins, she pulled are senior pastors of Christian City of several books, and travels extensively together third- and fourth-generation Church (CCC), Rowlett, in the Dallas nationally and internationally. Hankinses to show the continuing ministry area. Michael and Vicki have four Faith Hankins Wood (B. B. and of the family. Gail, who is executive children: Julie, Lyndi, Ryan, and Velma’s only daughter) is married to assistant to Pastors Michael and Vicki Hankins, provided the photo and the Kynsie. Ryan serves on the pastoral Kerry Wood. They are the senior pastors team of CCC as does Kynsie and her of Calvary Church, Stafford (Houston), information in this story. husband, Mark Zakem. Julie is married Texas. They have four children: Robert, to Eddie Woods, Jr. They are involved a freshman at SAGU, Geoffrey, Audrea, Robert Q. and Rachel Hankins in planting a CCC in the Los Angeles and Lauren. have several grandchildren and great- area since June 2004, which is currently Bob and Candy Hankins (their grandchildren who are serving in full- meeting in Woodland Hills, California. youngest son), succeeded B. B. and time pastoral ministry. They are the Mark and Trina Hankins (B.B. Velma Hankins as senior pastors of Gulf children and grandchildren of their and Velma’s son) are senior pastors of Coast Christian Center, West Columbia, son, B. B. Hankins, and wife, Velma, Christian Worship Center, Alexandria, Texas, in 2003 after B. B. went to be who served almost 55 years in pastoral Louisiana. Their son, Aaron and wife, with the Lord. They have two children, ministry, with 49 years served as senior Erinn, serve as the associate pastors Christian and Annie. Bob and Candy pastors of Gulf Coast Christian Center of their church. Daughter Alicia and were pastors of Beeville Assembly of in West Columbia, Texas. Their children her husband, Caleb, also serve on the God prior to becoming senior pastors and Robert and Rachel’s grandchildren ministry team of the church. Mark in West Columbia. are Michael, Mark, Faith, and Bob. Hankins Ministries is another arm of

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 37 1945 Rescue in Manila who did have some knowledge, of what 2003 issue of Heritage. Back issues are It was with great interest that these great warriors of the faith went available for $4.50. I read the article in the February 13 through. copy of the Pentecostal Evangel about Warmly and with thanks, I would like to express my the World War II Philippine rescues. Glen D. Cole, Pastor Emeritus appreciation for your thoughtfulness Mildred Tangen was a Cole, and my Capital Christian Center and special attention to assure that I cousin. I remember well as a boy of Sacramento, California received the winter issue. It was of eleven years of age when Bob and personal interest to me in view of the Mildred walked into my uncle’s home I read your article in the Heritage, fact that I was assigned to a ship in where we were all gathered as a family “The 1945 Rescue in Manila” and the naval task force that successfully to welcome them home. They had little really enjoyed it. One reason it was so reclaimed the Philippines from Japan Bob in their arms and the excitement, enjoyable was I was serving in the 31st in December/January of 1945. Your joy, and relief that filled our hearts, I Infantry in the southern Philippines at interesting article provided me with will never forget. the same time. We helped take back a humble feeling of accomplishment New Guinea and Mindanao. I was a to have taken a small part in such an new Christian before I was inducted important mission to finally bring help into the service, and I was able to pray to the local population and servicemen with several Filipinos while there. I am that endured so much hardship for a retired Assemblies of God pastor and many months. was also a chaplain for the Civil Air I also found many of the other Patrol for 28 years. articles in the magazine very meaningful May God bless you for the great and instructive on how individuals job you are doing and may His best be and families handled challenges and yours. difficulties. The “Heritage Letter” H. Wayne Crawford section gave me insight in how Gridley, California dedicated people and families can use their faith and with God’s assistance Thank you for the copies of the overcome what would (to me!) seem Mildred Tangen in 1982, during the time she was ministering in Taiwan. POW memorial edition. We have sent to be unattainable results. It is my copies to all of our family, including the sincere hope that your church and Then I received the new copy of one that is an Episcopalian missionary religion is still producing individuals Heritage magazine to discover the more in Panama, Canal Zone. and members (like you) of the same complete article on “The 1945 Rescue In your email you had mentioned quality and caliber for mankind. in Manila,” along with the pictures that that you would be sending us a copy of I was extremely impressed included my cousins, Bob and Mildred. the Heritage which had an article about with your ability as a writer to They were very special people to me my Grandfather, Alvin Branch. We make your readers feel the emotion through the years. It was my joy to haven’t seen that yet, but are looking and involvement with the story as know them well, to minister in their forward to it. it progresses. In particular I liked church in Seattle years later, to observe My sisters and brothers were the biographical sketches bringing their great faith in God’s sovereignty greatly excited about having received the reader up-to-date on individuals when they could not return to the field the POW edition and thank you involved. My impression of your because of their family situation, etc. profusely. interviews suggested that you derived Following Bob’s untimely death, Connie (Johnson) Dresbach considerable satisfaction in contacting Mildred came and told her story to Sonora, California and visiting each and every person our congregation here in Sacramento. (JOB WELL DONE, WAYNE)! It was our privilege to help send her Connie was imprisoned with her L. D. Karnes to Taiwan for the last chapter in her family (Leland and Helen Johnson) Sumner, Washington ministry days. during World War II in the Philippines. Thank you for including this FPHC has sent her a copy of her Lyle Karnes was a Springfield, timely report of what many would not grandfather’s story by Glenn Gohr, Missouri, neighbor for 10 years to have known, or to remind those of us which was published in the Summer Wayne Warner, Heritage editor.

38 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 From an Internee of World War II The 37th has infrequent reunions. Letterheads I Have Known A profound THANKS for sending The last 2 years in Macon, Missouri, Regarding letterheads shown the two Heritage magazines! Reading and in Corpus Christi, Texas, a couple on page 28, Fall 2004, I recognized the detailed events that occurred so years ago. We laugh and cry and give the name Anna C. Reiff, publisher of many years ago brought back emotional our eternal thanks to those gallant GIs the Latter Rain Evangel. My earliest tears of joy and endless gratitude to the [The 2nd Battalion of the 148th Infantry recollection of Miss Reiff is when she 37th Infantry Division who literally Regiment of the 37th Division] and the sat in the front row at Stone Church “stumbled” onto our starving and Man Above. [Chicago] with a small table in front motley group [imprisoned at Old Branson, Missouri, always has a of her with a steno pad and a few Bilibid Prison in Manila]. I especially great city-wide Salute to the Veterans sharp pencils. She took the sermons remember Betty Halsema Foley. the week of November 11th. Our in shorthand and also other points Her parents and mine were “bosom Heart-of-American EXPOW Chapter of interest in the service, such as a friends.” I was a junior bridesmaid participated by riding in a float in the missionary report or a testimony of in her 1939 wedding. Besides Betty parade the last 2 years—got soaked in healing. These were published in the and her husband, Rupert, Bob and the rain last year!—but loads of fun. Latter Rain Evangel. Mildred Tangen were young couples Betty Halsema Foley died several Formerly Anna C. Reiff had been whose kids, Michael Foley and Bobby years ago. Her 82-year-old brother, the secretary of Dr. Dowie, founder of Tangen, were born in Camp Holmes. Jimmy Halsema, is our wonderful self- the Zionist movement in Zion, Illinois. To this day I have never been appointed “Prison Camp Historian,” She was a very capable and educated able to figure out why MacArthur’s a former journalist. Thanks again, lady. It was Dr. William H. Piper, forces did not know we POWs were Wayne, founder of the Stone Church, who in Bilibid, as military POWs (adjacent Betsy Herold Heimke enlisted her help in publishing the to our civilian compound) who were Overland Park, Kansas Latter Rain Evangel. Dr. Piper had also captured on Corregidor and Bataan in been a former member of Dr. Dowie’s early 1942, were “marched through the work in Zion. The circulation of the streets of Manila” and placed in the Latter Rain Evangel grew steadily. “God-forsaken” former penitentiary. Miss Reiff needed help and Rose By no means do I criticize our military! Meyer came to be her assistant. When War is hell! My parents, older brother the Stone Church moved to 70th and (Billy), Betty and I watched (I get goose Stewart Avenue, the ladies acquired pimples when I recall the event!) those a home on 74th Street and moved the first tanks of the 44th Tank Battalion presses to their basement. It remained (attached to the 1st Cavalry) make its there until it was discontinued in 1940. spearhead entrance on Quezon Blvd. Thousands of issues were printed and the eve of February 3, 1945. Those required volunteer crews to help mail. rumbling tanks were on the other side OHIO BUCKEYE DIVISION Miss Reiff and Miss Meyer were first of the 20-foot Bilibid wall, less than 50 paid $4.00 each per week for many feet away. From thence they drove east Rayford Anderson and Claude White hours of hard work. In later years it and liberated Santo Tomas. God bless were members of the 37th Infantry was raised to $5.00 per week. It was Rayford Anderson, Claude White, Division (Ohio National Guard). We my privilege in my adolescent and and Leland Johnson their buddies. I have been in contact with the 37th teen years to know these ladies and wonder if those gents are still alive. I Assn. but do not know whether Rayford spend time in their home. It was my would give them a big HUG! Anderson is still living. Claude White understanding they later were given My very patriotic mother is a retired A/G pastor who lives ownership of the publication. engineered the construction of the in California (see winter issue for Miss Meyer also was in charge American flag that was lost during information and photos, pages 2, 4). of children’s meetings on Saturday the Battle of Manila when we were Leland Johnson was an A/G missionary afternoon at the church. She was evacuated to Ang Tibay, the shoe who was one of the internees; he died superintendent of the Sunday school factory. I hand-sewed my own little in 1968. As we were preparing this and also conducted our first Daily flag from larger scraps. It is framed issue, we learned that James Halsema Vacation Bible School (D.V.B.S.). and hangs in our family room. died in Pennsylvania. (Continued on next page)

SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 39 In retirement years these two ladies In 1989 we moved to Houston to Appreciation from Chile left Chicago and went to Wisconsin to be near our daughter, our only child. Yesterday my wife Betty and I open a place for Christians to have a O. T. went home to be with the Lord, received the winter issue of Heritage. restful retreat. One of their favorite June 12, 1996. Although we are snowed under with guest speakers was John Wright Follette. This past August 28, 2004, activities, we drop everything to read In previous years, Bro. Follette held my daughter and family gave me a this superb publication. How grateful services at the Stone Church, and many beautiful 90th birthday celebration we are to you for making available the of those messages had been published at North Central Assembly of God. fascinating history of the acts of the 20th in the Latter Rain Evangel. Brothers Paul and Larry Emerson are century apostles. It would be a crime to I love my Heritage publication. my pastors. allow these inspiring stories to be lost God Bless, I still teach a monthly Bible class in oblivion. Roelina G. Sennese for the Women’s Ministries group Paul King’s article [“Pentecostal Crestwood, Illinois and some substitute teaching of adult Roots in the Early Christian and Sunday school classes. Plus, I do some Missionary Alliance,” Fall and The historic Stone Church is now freelance writing. Winter] on the relations between the located in Palos Heights, a SW Chicago I always enjoy reading Heritage Pentecostals and the Christian and suburb. The Latter Rain Evangel articles. The World War II days you Missionary Alliance is most interesting. (1908-39) is now available on a text- covered was of special interest. We The C&MA has invited me to speak in searchable CD for $30. Order from the were pioneering a church in Paris, several conferences. Several of their Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, Texas, during that time. Many pastors teach in our Bible college, and 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, soldiers came to our church and were one of our professors teaches in an MO 65802. a great blessing in helping us in radio Alliance Bible institute. Of course, programs, Sunday school, and Vacation we respect each other’s doctrines and Still Going Strong at 90 Bible School. I still hear from some. practices. It has been a long time since you I’m still living in the strength of May our Lord continue to use you have heard from me. It was 1984 when the Word, “As thy days, so shall thy to remind us of the great heritage that I sent you some information on the O. strength be.” May His best ever be heroes of the past have left us, and so T. Killions. yours. enrich the present with the past. Keep Vida Killion up the good work. Houston, Texas Paul Hoff Instituto Biblico Nacional Congratulations to Vida Frazier de Chile Killion who will be profiled in the 60th Santiago, Chile Anniversary edition of Who’s Who in America, to be released in October. Christian and Missionary Alliance We recently received the fall Chaplain Stanford Linzey Writes and winter issues of Heritage, which I received the 20 copies of include a two-part article by Paul King Heritage (Winter 2004-05). Thanks on “Pentecostal Roots in the Early so very much. I have put in the mail Christian and Missionary Alliance.” a check for my donation to the Flower We are honored that you Pentecostal Heritage Center. I am shared these with us. Paul King has impressed with the work you and your researched extensively in our archives, staff are doing. The church has a fine and it is interesting to read the results history, and you are bringing it to our of his hard work. We appreciate your attention. God bless. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending us these assistance. Again, Thanks. copies. Chaplain Stanford Linzey Mrs. Patty McGarvey Escondido, California Assistant Archivist Christian and Missionary See Chaplain Linzey’s story, “Retired Alliance Archives O. T. and Vida Killion, while pastors at Sulphur Springs, Navy Chaplain Reflects on Military Colorado Springs, Colorado Texas, standing outside with and Spiritual Battles,” by Dawn-Marie their daughter Dou Vena in 1956. Wilson, in the Winter 2004-05 issue.

40 A/G HERITAGE SPRING 2005 Eddie Anderson: Photographs Bush (holiness periodical), 1905, 1907- the New Exurb” / Jonathan Mahler, of Charles Blair and W. F. Garvin; 1915. Glenn Gohr: “Whirling Squares New York Times.com Mar. 27, 2005 Biographical information on Esther and Golden Sections” / Jim Payne; [re. Radiant Church, Surprise, AZ]. (Bender) Meier; Cassettes of Eddie Regular Polygons and the Circle; “On Patricia Pickard: Postcard of Kinzie Anderson and J. Robert Ashcroft. the Road Again” / Jim Payne. Evangelistic Party; News clippings, William C. Booth-Clibborn: Family John Hall: Information on his articles, and letters on various topics; information: “Booth-Clibborn USA grandfather, George Lee Hall, who Letters to Mary Campbell Wilson; History” / by William Carroll Booth- was at Azusa Street. Beth Hardin: Miscellaneous photographs; Gipsy Clibborn. Mike Cooper (Prepress): Photographs of Hart Armstrong. Lorin Smith scrapbook; Autobiography: Matchprint Viewer used in the Prepress Head: Cassettes: “Spiritual Secrets “Why I Am a Pentecostal Historian.” area of the Gospel Publishing House. of the Man Who Walked With God” Marshall Price: Dissertation: The Richard Crayne: Booklet: “The [4 tapes on Smith Wigglesworth] / Literary Function and Theology of Mailing List Controversy” / by Richard George Stormont; “Praying Marbles Biblical Genealogy. Ph.D., University Crayne, 2004. Frances Cunningham: or Moving Mountains” [4 tapes] / of Wales, 2001. Photographs of Anna Ziese. Paul George Stormont; “Revival” [6 tapes] Elwood Rakes: News clip: Davis: News clip: “Tidings Temple / George Stormont. Elva Hoover: May 15, 1968 re. Willie Millsaps Family Has Noted Converts” [Ivan and News clip: “Delayed Harvest,” The being nationally honored. Michael Irene Doepke], The Post and Times Chanute Tribune, Nov. 30, 2004. Reid: Books: Faith: It’s God Given Star [Kentucky], Sept. 6, 1963. [Re. mission work in the Kentucky / by Michael S. B. Reid; Strategic John Eller: Photographs of mountains]. Charles A. Jennings: Level Spiritual Warfare: A Modern Royal Rangers district campground Booklet: Sounding the Trumpet: Mythology? / Michael S. B. Reid. W. at Lake Return, Arkansas. Vladimir Prophetic Words Given Through L. Roset: Autobiography: This is My Franchuk: Books written by him: Stanley Frodsham. Dorothy Johns: Story / by Wilfred Laurier Roset, 2004. Journey to the Country of the Mountains Pictures and notebook connected with Bill Taylor: News clip of Philip and and Valleys, 2003; [Russia Asked the Elim Bible School (Rochester, NY). Hazel Crouch with their son, Wedge. Lord for Rain] English title of 3-volume Marge Marshall: Obituary and Wayne Warner: Memorial pamphlet set [in Russian] on the history of the tribute to Harriet Brown, long-term and obituary of Rev. Robert L. Swope. Church in Eastern Europe, 2001-2003. missionary to Alaska, Feb. 8, 2005. Donna Whitt: Framed photograph Fuller Seminary, McAlister Library Ohio District Archives: Miscelleneous of Southwestern Bible School (Enid, Exchange: Several titles of Pentecostal/ publications, etc. (9 boxes). Brett OK), 1933. charismatic periodicals; The Burning Pavia: News printout: “The Soul of

Recently the Open Bible Churches brought copies of the Message of the Open Bible and related publications to the FPHC for scanning. Here General Superintendent Thomas Staff members Brett Pavia (left) Trask (left) greets Open Bible President Jeff Farmer and wife and Glenn Gohr are helping Jeff Ramona, as FPHC director Wayne Warner looks on. Farmer (center) to unload one of the boxes of periodicals. SPRING 2005 A/G HERITAGE 41 1445 N. Boonville Avenue Springfield, Missouri 65802-1894