This Week in AG History -- April 10, 1937

Seventy-nine years ago, two Assemblies of God colleges experienced unusual seasons of revival. The April 10, 1937, issue of the Pentecostal Evangel reported that Central Bible Institute (which became Central Bible College, Springfield, Missouri) and Southeastern Bible Institute (now Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida) experienced "times of refreshing."

L. R. Lynch, reporting on the revival at Central Bible Institute, wrote "For days we had expected something to happen. The air seemed laden with heavenly power. Nobody knew what to do to insure God's best for us. Everybody was eager to learn more about Jesus."
 
Lynch related that students began making public confessions, prompted by piercing messages that revealed the darkness of sin. Finally, he wrote, "the flood-gates of heaven were opened for us. God heard our humble cries. When we reached the foundation-rock, the heavenly fire blazed from the supernatural glory, while shouts of praise and thanksgiving rose from exultant hearts."
 
The revival at Central Bible Institute lasted five days, during which 17 people were baptized in the Spirit and 16 felt a call into "different fields of labor, including India, China, Africa, and South America."  
 
Edgar Bethany reported about a similar revival at Southeastern Bible Institute. Bethany wrote, "Morning chapel service which ordinarily lasts from eight to nine could not be terminated. Volumes of prayer mingled with tears and at times strong crying, ascended to the throne of grace. Messages and wonderful interpretations were given by the Spirit. It resulted in a breaking up in practically every heart."
 
What was the long-term impact of these spiritual outpourings? Lynch surmised that revival's "true value" is something that "only eternity can reveal."
 
Read the two articles on page 11 of the April 10, 1937, issue of the Pentecostal Evangel.

Also featured in this issue:

* "Blessed is He, Whoever Shall Not Be Offended," by Stanley Frodsham
 
* "It Happened to Me: A Presbyterian Minister Receives the Baptism," by E. R. Robertson
 
* "The Shekinah: Is the Fiery, Cloudy Pillar Ours Through Confession or Contrition?" by Zelma Argue

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.