This Week in AG History -- March 20, 1960

Raymond T. Brock (1927-2001) was born during a time when Pentecostals were often skeptical of using psychology and counseling to address the needs of their community. However, his deep passion for education and his belief in the "wholeness" of the Christian led him to a career spanning 60 years. His work included missionary service, academic instruction, counseling specialization, and, most notably, writing about these areas that he felt so passionately.

Born in Oklahoma in 1927 to a shoe manufacturer, Brock felt a calling to preach at the age of 13 and immediately began seeking opportunities to fulfill that calling. By the age of 17, he was licensed with the Oklahoma District of the Assemblies of God, and in 1950, he was ordained by the Illinois District. During this time, he married Lynita (Nita) Kennemer and earned a diploma from Central Bible Institute (later Central Bible College) in Springfield, Missouri, as well as a BA in Bible and Education-History from Phillips University, a Disciples of Christ school in Enid, Oklahoma.

Driven by a desire to teach, Brock accepted a position as an instructor at Great Lakes Bible Institute in Zion, Illinois, in his early 20s. Feeling called to primarily fulfill his ministry through teaching, alongside preaching, he completed a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Tulsa. In 1953, he and Nita moved with their young family to Nigeria, where Brock served as principal of the Nigerian Central Bible Institute and editor of the Nigerian Evangel, while also overseeing day schools for younger students.

In the late 1950s, Brock was invited to serve as assistant professor at Southwestern Assemblies of God College (now Nelson University) in Waxahachie, Texas. During this time, he was able to integrate his teaching and preaching ministry by serving as minister of education at Oak Cliff Assembly of God (now Oaks Church) in Red Oak, Texas.

When J. Philip Hogan was elected as director of the Assemblies of God Foreign Missions Department in 1959, he sought to strengthen the missions program by recruiting some of the brightest young minds in the Assemblies of God. In the March 20, 1960, issue of the Pentecostal Evangel, Hogan announced that Brock, along with Wesley Hurst, Harold Mintle, and Charles Greenaway had joined the national missions team. Brock assumed the role of editor-in-chief of Foreign Missions publications.

Never one to focus on just one task at a time, Brock also became an assistant professor at Central Bible College and began writing a monthly column called “Dear Ray” for the Christ's Ambassador’s Herald. In this column, youth would write in with questions about the Bible and the Christian life, and Brock would respond with thoughtful, pastoral insight.

As he gathered the stories of missionaries, taught college students, and answered the questions of young people, Brock began to see the need to understand how spiritual and emotional lives intersected, especially in relationships. He moved to California and then Colorado to develop his ministry as a Christian counselor.

In 1966, Brock returned to Springfield, Missouri, where he became the chair of the Behavioral Sciences Department at Evangel College (now Evangel University). In 1972, he earned his Doctor of Education in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Tulsa.

With his new focus, Brock began writing practical books and small-group curricula for churches on topics such as family and personal issues. His works included Dating and Waiting for Marriage, Facing Midlife Challenges, Let Love Be Your Guide, Parenting the Elementary Child, The Christ-Centered Family, and The Holy Spirit and Counseling, among others.

After retiring from Evangel University in 1985, Brock continued his work as a visiting professor at Assemblies of God Bible schools around the world. He also held seminars for missionaries, church leaders, and young people, encouraging them to live as "wholly" Christian in body, soul, and spirit.

In 1993, Richard Champion, editor of the Pentecostal Evangel, revived the “Ask Ray” column from the 1960s Christ's Ambassador’s Herald, asking Brock to answer readers' questions about a wide range of human experiences, all through the lens of biblical application. This column ran alongside Stanley Horton’s Q&A on biblical questions. “Ask Ray” enjoyed an eight-year run until Brock's passing in October 2001. His devoted wife, Nita, lived another 19 years before passing away in 2020.

Ray Brock responded to God’s call at the age of 13 and continued to fulfill that call throughout his life, both in preaching and teaching. He influenced thousands of young people, students, and ministers in the Assemblies of God, teaching them how to apply their biblical beliefs to relationships, while leading emotionally healthy lives.

Read the full article, “Our Foreign Missions Team,” on page 14 of the March 20, 1960, issue of the Pentecostal Evangel.

Also featured in this issue:

• “Let us Take Heed,” by Obie L. Harrup

• “We Believe in the Supernatural,” by Elizabeth Bowman

• “Can We Afford a Liberal Arts College?,” by Paul Hoff

And many more!

Click here to read this issue now.

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