1920s
Revival
Reports
As we view the
reasons for the growth of the Assemblies of God in the first two
decades of its existence, we must not overlook evangelists and
their revival meetings. They opened cities to the Pentecostal
message and helped struggling storefront churches to grow and
move from the wrong side of the tracks. The Pentecostal Evangel
was an important
element in assisting such outreaches as its revival reports blanketed
the country.
Victory in Sacramento
We have just closed a meeting with Evangelist P.C. Nelson and
party, in which God blessed in a most precious way. Some 20 were
saved, five baptized in the Spirit, and many were healed. …
[Earlier] the Lord sent Sister Mae E. Frey to us. In this meeting
20 were saved and 18 received the baptism of the Spirit. So many
nominal churches are seeing the glorious light of the full gospel
and it does our hearts good to see them leaping the denominational
fences and coming over where the clover is better.
— Paul H. Ralston and wife, Full Gospel Tabernacle [now
Capital Christian Center]
A Pentecostal visitation
The Assembly of God [of] West Monroe, La., [has] just witnessed
another great and wonderful outpouring of the precious Holy Ghost.
Sunday night brought to a close a four weeks’ campaign under
the ministry of Stephen van der Merwe, the South African evangelist.
… Forty-five were filled with the blessed Holy Ghost. …
Seven couples, men with their wives, heads of families, were saved
and filled with the Spirit. We had baptizing on Sunday afternoon
and baptized 31 in water.
— Pastor Elmer Tanner
Triumphs in Tulsa
The seven weeks’ campaign by the Richey Brothers in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, closed Sunday. ... This is said by Mr. Richey and party
to be the greatest revival he has ever held. The number of professed
conversions is 10,400 — 9,000 healing cards were issued.
Hundreds of people came from out of town, who did not have enough
money to pay for lodging and meals for two or three days. Tulsa
restaurants gave meal tickets for them free, and there were 1,115
fed in this way during the seven weeks. Individual contributions
by citizens helped to meet this worthy need.
New Colorado assembly
On November 22 we organized a small assembly here [Grand Junction].
… Several have been saved and 12 have received the Baptism
as in Acts 2:4. We expect to affiliate with the General Council.
— Secretary V.A. Hamilton
Power falls at Minneapolis
Began meetings here with Pastor Lindquist Sunday [January] 2.
In both afternoon and night services the floor of the praying
room was strewn with the slain of the Lord. Some fell off their
seats under the power of God, and others could not stand on their
feet but staggered and fell as waves of power and glory swept
over them. … And the end is not yet.
— Evangelist E.J. Axup
Good results at
Lancaster
We have closed a two weeks’ meeting with Brother and Sister
Tommy Anderson, returned missionaries from Bolivia. God blessed
in a marked way, and night after night sinners came to the altar
for salvation. During the meetings 25 came forward for salvation
and 12 received the baptism of the Spirit. … Twice Brother
Anderson preached in the Scotch kilts and once he preached in
prison garb.
— Pastor Vernon G. Gortner
New church in Indiana
Wilbur John Cox opened a mission at 711 North 2nd St., Vincennes,
Ind., with a very few saints. God has been working since the beginning.
They have just closed a precious revival meeting, 49 being saved,
and six received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. They have 34 members,
[and] a Young People’s Society with as high as 75 in attendance.
— District Superintendent Flem Van Meter
Old-time Pentecost
in Fort Worth
M.M. Pinson gave the message yesterday. … It brought a breaking
up, and people poured to the altar and a time of sobbing, praying,
and deep soul work followed. … [At night] the power began
to fall all over the house, and soon the altar was filled, and
still they came amid sobs and cries. Some got saved and went out
after their friends. … There was dancing, laughter, and
singing in the Spirit, mingled with shouts. At 11 o’clock
we left them still praising God.
— Missionary Mattie Ledbetter
