Black History Month-

[OneAccord]

Black History Month-

In recognition of Black History Month the contributions of Afro-Americans in American History is in the news a lot this month. Booker T. Washington, Martin Luther King Jr. and scores and scores of others receive the honor they are due. But what about our brethern within Apostolic ranks? Let us give honor to whom honor is due: I’ll begin with two, one we all from Pentecostal History and one I knew on a personal level:


Garfield Thomas Haywood
1880 ~ 1931

Garfield Thomas Haywood was born April 15, 1880, in the small farming community of Green Castle, Indiana. The Fourth of nine children born to Benjamin and Penny Ann Haywood, he was reared in a Christian home. Garfield attended both Baptist and Methodist churches. When he was three years old his parents moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, and settled down permanently in Haughville, a west-side suburb. His father worked in the foundry, and his mother was an outstanding woman who by her own industry and ingenuity managed to bring up her large family on her husband's meager wages.
Garfield attended school in Haughville, including two years at Shortridge High School. His education was relatively meager by todays standards as he had to drop out after his sophmore year and go to work to help support his family. However, it was while in school that he discovered that he had a talent for character sketching. He first sought employment as a cartoonist, and was hired by two of the local negro weekly newspapers, namely the "Freedman" and "The Recorder." On February 11, 1902, he married Ida Howard of Owensboro, Kentucky. They had one daughter who they named Fannie. After quiting his job as a cartoonist, he went to work at an iron foundry where his pay was somewhat better.
In 1907 Garfield was invited to visit a little Apostolic Faith mission by his long time friend and fellow "Knights of Pythias" lodge member, Oddous Barbour. The mission was pastored by a black minister named Henry Prentiss. Oddous Barbour's wife was attending the Apostolic mission known as the "Tin Shop" located on West Michigan, Street. Prentiss had come from the Azusa Street revival where he had received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. At first Garfield was not impressed with the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues, and thought that Oddous was joking with him. Eventually Garfield conceeded to visit the church, and on a cold snowy night he made the trip by himself to the mission. At the invitation, he found himself walking down the isle under conviction. He raised his arms to repent of his sins when the power of the Holy Ghost hit him like a bolt of lightening. He fell prostrate to the ground speaking in tongues.
Shortly after his conversion, Garfield was called into the ministry. In 1908, Brother Prentiss resigned the church and returned to the East. Brother Haywood was left in charge of the mission with a membership of only 13. At this time the church was still meeting in the "Tin Shop". As his revelation knowledge began to expand, people began to take notice, and the church began to show signs of physical growth. By 1912, the church had grown to several hundred as they moved into their new location on 11th and Senate Avenue.
When Bro. Glenn Cook brought the message of baptism in Jesus' name to Indianapolis in 1915, Elder Haywood's congregation had grown almost 500 members. After he accepted the Apostolic formula of baptism in Jesus' name, 456 members of his congregation followed him into the waters of "Fall Creek" and were rebaptized. Due to the enormity in size of Haywood's church, clearly gave it the distinction of being called the "Mother Church" of the Jesus' name movement. Each year Elder Haywood held a convention at his Apostolic Faith Assembly, where saints and ministers gathered from all over the United States to listen to the Word of God as it was taught by the great champions in the Apostolic movement.

Elder Ellis Barber
Cleveland, Tennessee

Bro. Ellis Barbor was a quiet, unassuming man until he entered the pulpit. There, under the anointing and inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Bro. Barber preached the Jesus’ Name message without fear or favor. Though he was faced with much opposition due to the color of his skin, Bro. Barbor remained humble and faithful to the Gospel he not only preached, but also. Never seeking recognition or glory, Bro. Barber was an example anyone could follow. His life and testimony was without reproach.

I arranged for Bro. Barber to hold a revival at the Kieth Springs Mtn. Church of Jesus near Winchester, Tennessee. He was the first Afro-American to preach at this church. The revival was rocked by a threatening crowd outside, but God used Bro. Barber to reach souls for Christ in spite of, and perhaps, due to, racial prejudice. He was an outstanding servant of God who will remembered by those who knew him as one who served God with diligence and faithfulness.

[Sherri]

We're having our second annual Black History Celebration tonight at church. I can't wait; it was AWESOME last year. We were laughing so hard during part of it and then weeping at the end. Powerful!

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Sherri

We're having our second annual Black History Celebration tonight at church. I can't wait; it was AWESOME last year. We were laughing so hard during part of it and then weeping at the end. Powerful!

That is great, Sherri...

1A, when I get some time, I will post some info that I have...this is a great thread!!

[Barb]

Bishop RC Lawson
1883-1961

Robert Clarence Lawson was born in New Iberia, Louisiana on May 5, 1883. His parents passed when he was very young and he was raised by an aunt.

Though there were many in generations gone by who had been in ministry, his plans were for a life in law and business.

In 1913, while bedridden with tuberculosis, a sanctified Mother in Zion visited Robert, inviting him to the church pastored by Bishop GT Haywood. It was in the year of 1914 when Mr. Lawson accepted the word of God and was baptized in the name of Jesus and received the Holy Ghost.

A supernatural event took place in his life, namely the miraculous healing of his body. This occurrence was stamped indelibly upon him and played a major part in the shaping of his inspired faith healing ministry.

By his own testimony, Bishop Lawson was divinely called by the Lord through a whirlwind, hearing the voice of God saying "Go Preach My Word! I mean you! I mean you! I mean you! Go preach My Word."

Starting a small work in St. Louis, Missouri, and a later endeavor in San Antonio, Texas, preaching everywhere the apostolic doctrine, he was led to the mid-west where he pastored a church in Columbus, Ohio. It was in Columbus that he married the late Miss Carrie Fields of Levinworth, Kansas. The couple was subsequently blessed with four sons.

The Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ had its inception in the year 1919.

Bishop Lawson, then Elder Lawson was invited to a prayer meeting, which was in progress in a basement in the 40th Street area of New York City. So energetic was his service to the Lord, that his fame spread abroad and reached the ears of Mr. and Mrs. James Burleigh and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Anderson. These two blessed couples opened their homes to Elder Lawson and their home today is affectionately thought of as the "Cradle of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ".

Within a short period of time, the congregation outgrew its place of worship, having approximately 200 members, and larger quarters had to be sought. Bishop Lawson purchased the sight at 52-54-56 West 133 Street and relocated his thriving church.

It was there that his vision was enlarged and the Lord laid upon his heart to conduct a tent revival and great numbers were added to the church.

Under the thriving ministry of Apostle Lawson, many preachers, missionaries, and teachers were sent into the field establishing numerous works. To the far flung isles of the sea, to the continent of Africa and to the Caribbean, these Christian heralds went carrying the Apostolic message.

As the work grew the quarters on 133rd Street were found to be inadequate for so rapidly an increasing congregation. Bishop Lawson found the present site on 124th Street and 7th Avenue and in August 1945, the congregation relocated to this site.

This building is known as the "Mother Church" of the Churches of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In two short years the indebtedness of the church was lifted and on Christmas day in 1947 the mortgage was burned.

The years following were outstanding in rapid growth and spiritual progress. The church of Christ Bible Institute flourished, the R. C. Lawson Institute in Southern Pine, North Carolina already established, continued to grow.

Through the arduous labor of dedicated workers in various parts of Liberia, West Africa, British West Indies, England, and the Isles of the sea, the international works began to grow and flourish. So vast was the work until more workers had to be sent, to Superintend the vast harvest of souls.

During 1948, Mother Carrie Lawson known as the "Praying Mother of the Air" departed this life. Mother Carrie Lawson's passing is noteworthy because it was through her intercessory prayer that many souls were delivered from the powers of darkness.

Bishop Lawson in his lifetime was awarded many honors for his contributions as humanitarian and for his scholastic achievements. Among the honors, he received the Carver Merit Award for outstanding service to his race and country. He also held a Bachelor of Theology degree, a Doctor of Divinity degree, and a Doctor of Literary Letters Degree from the Lynchburg Seminary and College and the American Bible College.

Every organization must suffer the pangs of growth and the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ was no exception. In the year 1957, there was a major schism within the ranks of the organization. This occasioned Bishop Lawson's calling together the now famous Summit Meeting, which was the rallying and turning point of the organization.

It was in the closing session that Bishop Lawson preached a soul stirring message recounting the work that he had done and hurled the challenge to all who would receive it. "ADD THOU TO IT". The challenge was accepted. From that moment on the organization began to grow to new greatness.

The clarion call for our illustrious leader came on Sunday July 2, 1961, and Bishop Lawson a prince of preachers, the Bible Answer man, God's shining star departed this life.

[Raven]

Thankyou for posting this OneAccord. It is good and honorable for us to take time to remember some of these great men of God. Johnny James has always been an inspiration and also Bishop Louis Stallworth of Stockton, California, who gave me one of my first opportunities to preach outside the local church.
Raven

[OneAccord]

http://www.abundantlifeapostolic.org/pastor_and_family



Abundant Life Apostolic Church
1209 Cumberland Ave (PO Box 916) | Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
PH: 276-523-0474 Pastor Barron and Annie Duffy

Thank you for visiting the website of Abundant Life Apostolic Church .

If you would like a free, in-home, Bible study in the comfort of your home please give us a call and one of our instructors will come to your home to teach you more about the Word of God. To schedule an appointment for a home Bible study call our office at (276) 523-0474.

If you are searching for an exciting Bible based church that will minister to your needs, we would Like to encourage you to stop by and visit us, a warm welcome awaits you!

Service Times

Sunday School 10:00 AM Classes for all ages

Morning Worship (Mega Church LIVE) 11:00 AM This is a Anointed Pentcostal Worship! We Encourage you to come out and be a part of this Powerful Worship Service! Your Life will never be the same!

Tuesday Night (Christian Education) 7:00 We have Children Church and Youth Service also Everyone Welcome.

Pastor Duffy is the foundering pastor along with his father Elder Duffy of House of Prayer Apostolic Church in 1990. He has been in Full time Ministry since 1997. Pastor & Sis Duffy are the parents of Erica Rachelle Duffy.

Pastor Duffy was born on August 9, 1966 at Grady's Hospital in Atlanta GA. His parents moved to Kingsport, TN when pastor Duffy was very young. Pastor Duffy is the son of Willie & Lizzie Duffy. Pastor Duffy received the Holy Ghost at the age of 18. Since entering inthe ministry Pastor Duffy has been able to travel throughout. Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and Georgia preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

[KarenJo]

Originally Posted by Raven

Thankyou for posting this OneAccord. It is good and honorable for us to take time to remember some of these great men of God. Johnny James has always been an inspiration and also Bishop Louis Stallworth of Stockton, California, who gave me one of my first opportunities to preach outside the local church.
Raven

I loved the Stallworths, I can remember the times their choir would come and sing at CLC...great memories....

[gthaywood1880]

Wonderful post about our Apostolic father's Bishop Haywood was born July 15,1880 and died April 12,1931.

[AmazingGrace]

That man there is one fine man of God and a wonderful friend of ours.. Bro Baron Duffy! Love them to pieces!!!

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by AmazingGrace

That man there is one fine man of God and a wonderful friend of ours.. Bro Baron Duffy! Love them to pieces!!!

Really- You know him? I never heard of him til this morning when I found their website. Liked what I saw and read. Will have to put that church on my list to visit. I held a revival in Big Stone Gap way back when. Interesting story.

I drove a friends truck up there to preach a short revival and, along the way, wouldn't you know it, the transmission went out. I got it to Big Stone, and the pastor and I took it to a man to have it fixed. He worked all night on it and wouldn't take a dime for labor. I invited the man to the meeting, but he declined. He said he didn't believe in God and wasn't into going to church.

But, he came anyway. The last night of the meeting the man got saved. Was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. I was back there a couple of years later and that man, along with his wife and children, and about 20 family memebers were still in church. Thank the Lord for transmission problems!