A Closer Look: Profiles of Newly-Elected and Re-Elected Executive Presbyters

Earlier this week, the 49^th General Council elected five new members to the Executive Presbytery, and returned six incumbents for two-year terms. Following are short profiles of the new and returning executive presbyters.

NEW MEMBERS

Northwest Area: Warren D. Bullock has served as superintendent of the Northwest District since 1994, after four years as assistant superintendent. Ordained in 1967, Bullock was a senior pastor from 1969 to 1990, and has been an adjunct faculty member at Northwest College and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He succeeds Robert L. Brandt, who chose not to run again.

South Central Area: J. Don George succeeds Armon Newburn, who chose not to run again. George, ordained in 1960, has served as pastor of Calvary Temple in Irving, Texas, since 1972 following 12 years of pastoring other Assemblies of God congregations in Texas. During his years in the pastorate, he has served as the Men’s Ministries director and district Royal Rangers commander in the North Texas District.

Great Lakes Area: Charles E. Crank has been superintendent of the Indiana District since 1974, after serving as an evangelist, pastor of First Assembly of God in Bedford, Ind., and then district youth director and secretary-treasurer. He currently serves on the boards of directors for Central Bible College and North Central University, and previously served on the boards of directors for Evangel University and Ministers Benefit Association. He succeeds M. Wayne Benson, who recently became the new president of Central Bible College.

Gulf Area: L. Alton Garrison became superintendent of the Arkansas District this year, after four years as assistant superintendent. He was pastor of First Assembly of God in North Little Rock, Ark., from 1985 to 2001, after two decades of work as an evangelist. Garrison, ordained in 1971, has served on the boards of directors for AGTS, American Indian College and Hillcrest Children’s Home. He succeeds Gene Jackson, who had served on the Executive Presbytery since 1998.

Northeast Area: H. Robert Rhoden has served as superintendent of the Potomac District since 1991, after 12 years as pastor of West End Assembly of God in Richmond, Va. He has served on the Board of Trustees for Valley Forge Christian College since 1994 and is a former sectional presbyter and executive presbyter for the Potomac District. He succeeds Almon M. Bartholomew, who chose not to run again.

RE-ELECTED MEMBERS

Southwest Area: Richard L. Dresselhaus has served as pastor of First Assembly of God in San Diego, Calif., since 1970. He previously pastored in Minnesota and was an instructor at North Central University. He also has served as a presbyter and executive presbyter in the Southern California District. Ordained in 1963, Dresselhaus was elected to the Executive Presbytery in 1997.

North Central Area: David W. Argue was elected to the Executive Presbytery in 1993. He has pastored Christ’s Place in Lincoln, Nebr., since 1975 and is a member of the Board of Regents for North Central University and the Board of Directors for Global University. Argue, who was ordained in 1971, also has served as secretary-treasurer and assistant superintendent of the Nebraska District.

Southeast Area: C. Dan Betzer, who is perhaps best known for his time as Revivaltime speaker from 1978 to 1995, was first elected to the Executive Presbytery in 1995. Ordained in 1962, Betzer has pastored First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, Fla., since 1986. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Religious Broadcasters since 1990 and assistant superintendent of the Peninsular Florida District since 1994.

Language Area-Spanish: Jesse Miranda, a member of the Executive Presbytery since 1995, has served as pastor of Spanish Assembly in Brighton, Colo., since 1965. Miranda, who was ordained in 1970, serves as associate dean of the School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University and was superintendent of the Southern Pacific Latin American District from 1984 to 1992. He also was an instructor at Latin American Bible Institute from 1959 to 1978.

Language Area-Other: Nam Soo Kim has pastored Full Gospel New York Church in New York City since 1977. Ordained in 1978, he serves on the boards of directors of Central Bible College, Valley Forge Christian College and Teen Challenge in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was superintendent of the Korean District from 1987 to 1989 and from 1996 to 1997, and was elected to the Executive Presbytery in 1999.

Ethnic Fellowships: Spencer Jones, pastor of Southside Tabernacle Worship Center in Chicago, was elected to the Executive Presbytery in 1999. He has been a nationally appointed home missionary to the inner city since 1996 and is executive director and president of National Inner City Workers conference. Jones, who was ordained in 1974, serves on the Royal Rangers Committee and is vice president of the National Black Fellowship.

Rob Cunningham