This Week in AG History — Jan. 1, 1961

Alma Crosby, an Assemblies of God minister and successful businesswoman, shared a testimony in 1961 of “an unforgettable New Year’s Eve” that took place in the new church building they helped construct in Beaumont, Texas.

A young man from New York City had recently moved to Beaumont, and his mother came to visit. He did not think his mother would want to spend New Year’s Eve at a party with young people, so he brought her to Crosby to let her spend the evening with Crosby and her husband. They brought her to their church, which had a nice New Year’s Eve service that included a program of gospel singing, preaching, and Communion. A foot washing service, in which church members would follow Christ’s example of service and humility and wash each other’s feet (John 13), was also planned at midnight.

Crosby discovered that the woman, who by her dress was evidently well off, was not familiar with any of these things, so she explained the plans for the evening to her. However, Crosby was afraid that the woman would be turned off by the prospect of washing the feet of a stranger.

By the end of the night, the woman went to the altar and committed her life to Christ. She was happy to participate in the foot washing service and even washed some of the other ladies’ feet. Crosby recalled that the visiting woman told her “happily, but tearfully, that this had been the best New Year’s Eve in all her life,” and that she returned to New York City “a new woman.”

This taught Crosby to not fear what people might think about her faith — a New Year’s Eve lesson that was “unforgettable,” in her estimation.

Alma Crosby was one of many largely unheralded Assemblies of God ministers who faithfully ministered in her community.

Alma Ware Crosby (1891-1977) was born in Stockdale, Texas. She spent her childhood in San Antonio. In 1918, she moved to Beaumont and became a salesperson in the wholesale drug business. Four years later she joined the thin ranks of women insurance underwriters. She married Sylvester Crosby, and she and her husband were very successful in the insurance business. She retired as an underwriter with Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company after 38 years.

Crosby also felt called into ministry, and for 22 years she was a bi-vocational pastor before seeking credentials with the Assemblies of God. She delivered sermons in schools, nursing homes, and jails.

In about 1944, Crosby was delivered from a serious case of nervous exhaustion. Her head began to lean to one side, and her body gradually became twisted. She could hardly get out of bed in the morning, and she had to hold up her head to eat. During this time, she had the flu and also the shingles several times. She suffered for seven years. She continued to preach, but had to preach sitting in a chair.

Then she decided to attend a Pentecostal meeting with an evangelist in Port Arthur, Texas. The message was from James 4:7: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The evangelist prayed for her, but she didn’t feel any differently at the time. But she continued to stand on the words of James 4:7. Soon after this, the prayer of faith did save the sick, and she was healed.

At 67 years of age, she was ordained by the South Texas District on June 18, 1959. At that time, she had already been preaching for 22 years. She is credited with helping to start several Assemblies of God congregations in the Beaumont area, including Magnolia Park Assembly, where she served as pastor, and which was built on property that she and her husband donated.

In addition to special speaking opportunities, she served as a supply pastor and an evangelist for several years. She also wrote several articles and devotionals for the Pentecostal Evangel, as well as at least one evangelistic tract titled, Defending the Lentils.

Alma Ware Crosby’s name may not be in many history books, but her life and ministry are representative of the tens of thousands of men and women who dedicated their lives as Assemblies of God ministers to serve the Lord, love others, and build the Church.

In her 1961 testimony, Crosby described the lesson that she learned on New’s Years Eve this way: “that Christ is the answer to the need in every heart, rich and poor alike.” She encouraged readers to “step forth like David and be ‘brave’ for Jesus.” Sixty-five years later, this lesson and encouragement still ring true.

Read “An Unforgettable New Year’s Eve,” by Alma Ware Crosby on page 7 of the Jan. 1, 1961, issue of the Pentecostal Evangel.

Also featured in this issue:

• “Our Great Need in the New Year” by Hardy W. Steinberg

• “The Word Made Flesh,” by J. Robert Ashcroft

And many more!

Click here to read this issue now.

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