This Week in AG History -- September 25, 1926

One of the most important formative experiences for several generations of Assemblies of God young people was participation in "Christ's Ambassadors" -- the Assemblies of God national youth organization.

Christ's Ambassadors had its origin in 1925, when Assemblies of God young people in Oakland, California, formed the Pentecostal Ambassadors for Christ. Similar groups existed in Fresno and Los Angeles under the names Christian Crusaders and Christ's Ambassadors. Ultimately, the three groups merged under the name Christ's Ambassadors.

The idea of organizing Assemblies of God youth into a national organization quickly gained momentum. The September 25, 1926, issue of the Pentecostal Evangel included "an appeal to the young people" to begin new a new national youth organization, patterned after the groups pioneered in California.

Some people feared giving too much power to the younger generation, lest they have a platform to promote agendas that might undermine the church. However, the 1926 article stressed the important role of young people in the Assemblies of God. "It is the natural prerogative of young people to do the aggressive work," the article noted. "Unless the latent powers and talents [of youth] are harnessed and developed for God's service they will be used for the world or for the devil."

Earlier in 1926, the name Christ's Ambassadors had been adopted as the title of a new weekly Assemblies of God young people's periodical. When the national organization was formed, it seemed fitting to name the group Christ's Ambassadors. The name stuck, and Assemblies of God young people's groups across the United States were known as Christ's Ambassadors for the next 50 years.

Read the article, "An Appeal to the Young People," on page 6 of the September 25, 1926, issue of the Pentecostal Evangel. Also featured in this issue:

• "The Second Coming of Christ," by D. L. Moody

• "How to Enjoy Your Money Forever," by J. Narver Gortner

• "Ten Ways to Kill a Church," by J. Logan Stuart

And many more!

Click here to read this issue now.

Pentecostal Evangel archived editions courtesy of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center.

Darrin J. Rodgers

Darrin J. Rodgers has served as director of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center (FPHC) since 2005. He earned a master's degree in theological studies from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and a juris doctorate from the University of North Dakota School of Law. He previously served at the David du Plessis Archive and the McAlister Library at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of Northern Harvest , a history of Pentecostalism in North Dakota. His FPHC portfolio includes acquisitions, editing Assemblies of God Heritage magazine, and conducting oral history interviews. His wife, Desiree, is an ordained AG minister.