Saint Helena was the mother of Roman emperor Constantine the Great, She was born outside of the noble classes, a Greek, possibly in the Greek city of Drepana, Bithynia in Asia Minor. Saint Helena ranks as an important figure in the history of Christianity, and of the world, because of her influence on her son, Constantine. The parents of Constantine1 were Helena and emperor Constantius 1. There is uncertainty to whether they were actually married. Some scholars suggest they were joined in a common-law marriage, a cohabitation in fact but not in law, or whether they were joined in an official marriage, on the grounds that the sources claiming an official marriage are more reliable. Constatius1 divorced Helena before 289. Helena and her son were dispatched to the court of Dicletian at Nicomedia, where he son grew to be a member of the inner circle. When Constantius1 died in 306 Costantine 1 was proclaimed Augustus of the Roman Empire. Following her son’s elevation Helena in 312 was brought back to public life, returning to the imperial court, She was appointed Augusta Imperatrix which gave her unlimited access to the imperial treasury in order to locate the relics of the Christian tradition. According to Eusebuis her conversion to Christianity followed her son becoming emperor. In 326-8, when Saint Helena was in her 80s , she under took a trip to Palestine. She had heard an old legend that the True Cross - the cross Jesus was crucified , plus the other two, were buried near where the crucifixion actually happened… With great pomp she went to Palestine. She founded a church at Bethlehem, another upon the Mount of Olives. In Jerusalem, according to Eusebius, she had a temple to Venus or Jupiter destroyed. They them chose a site to excavate and found three crosses. Wanting to know which was Christ’s a sick woman was brought to the site. On touching the third cross she was healed. (Read The True Cross and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre) Sozomen and Theodoret claim that Saint Helena found two of the nails of the crucifixion - one was placed in her son’s helmet the other in his horse’s bridal. In 327/8 she left Jerusalem and took large parts of the True Cross back to Rome which were stored in her palace’s private chapel. Saint Helena died around 330 and was buried in the Mausoleum of Helena , outside Rome, on the Via Labicana. Constatine1 later founded the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The invention of the Cross is celebrated on 3rd May. Source used Wikipedia

L’ Abri is an evangelical Christian organisation founded by Francis Schaeffer and his wife Edith in Huemoz-sur-Ollon, in Switzerland, on 5th June 1955. Francis August Schaeffer (1912-1984) was an American evangelical theologian, philosopher and Presbyterian pastor. He was the first student to graduate and first to be ordained in the \bible Presbyterian Church (1935). Edith Rachel Merritt Schaeffer (nee Seville) was a Christian author. They married in 1935. When they moved to Huemoz there was no assurance that it would be successful. They opened their alpine home to curious travellers and as a forum to discuss philosophical and religious beliefs. Word of mouth in the summer of 1955 soon led to an increasing stream of visitors, averaging 31 visitors a week. Distribution of Francis’ lectures also helped to raise awareness of their work As is grew the L’Abri organisation began to own and operate several buildings in Huemoz 4 types of people visited - short term guests students who divided their time between study and communal work, workers who participated in discussions and the work of of hospitality, members who were part of the decision making process. The L’Abri day revolves around communal meals, often used as an opportunity for formal open discussion, and students are encouraged to pursue interests in art, music and literature. (Read 'Mode of operation) Francis died in 1984 of hymphoma on 15th May 1984, in Rochester, Minnesota but his wife Edit continued to be associated with the L’Abri organisation. Edith died, at home in Gryon, Switzerland, aged 98 nearly 30 years later, on 30th March 2013. Edith 30 years ago founded The Francis Schaeffer Foundation to receive her husband’s papers and annotated books for scanning and subsequent study. This is run by her son-in-law Udo Middleman - he is also an associate pastor in Hoemoz. The ministry has continued to grow. l’Abri has operations in a number of different countries staffed by workers who encourage visitors to study and consider their religious and philosophical beliefs. Since 2011 l’Abri has residential ‘Study Centres’ in the USA , Canada, South Korea, Australia, the UK, the Netherlanders and Sweden as well as the original centre in Switzerland. It also has non -residential ‘Resource centres’ run by friends of the organisation in Brazil and Germany Today the L’Abri houses are to be found in various parts of the world and continue to offer people a place to stay when they travel. I have included information about both Schauffers and the books they wrote Source Wikipedia

Epiphany means ‘revelation’, ‘manifestation’ or ‘showing forth’ - it was the revealing of Jesus to those who were not Jewish - the magi, 3 kings, or 3 wise men were Gentiles. January 6th is the feast day January 6th originally was used to celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. When Jesus received the Holy Ghost it was manifested to the people. The 3 kings are part of the Nativity plays, along with the shepherds, which are part of the birth story of Jesus. Tradition suggests that they arrived days following Halley’s Comet, maybe weeks after, the birth of the baby Jesus. Tradition has named them as Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar and they brought gifts of gold (kingship), frankincense (godship0 and myrrh (for burial0. In orthodox churches Epiphany is also known as The Feast of the Holy Theophany and is important as Christmas. Special cakes are eaten in Spain, France and Mexico. This is also the time that some children from Spain and Italy receive their Christmas presents from the 3 Magic Kings. (Read Epiphany, the Feast of The Three Kings) ( Winter swimming is even mentioned!!) January 6th is also Twelfth Night when the Christmas decorations normally are taken down. Sources used Wikipedia Church Dates for Children by Tony Batchelor

Candlemas(s) is a Christian festival also known as Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Feast of the Holy Encounter.*** Candalmas(s) commemorates the presentation of Jesus, as a baby, at the Temple in Jerusalem - Luke ch.22 verses 22-40 ( see notes). This would have happened after the traditional 40 day period of purification of the mother. In the Biblical story Simeon picks up the baby in his arms. When he said theNunc Dimittis he included the phrase a light for revelation to the Gentiles .* It is for this reason that this event is called Candlemas. Many Christians consider Jesus as ‘the light of the world’ so it is fitting that candles are blessed on this day. A candle-lit procession precedes the mass. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate the event by bringing beeswax candles to their local church so they can be blessed to be used in the church or home. Crepes are eaten at Candlemas in such places as France. The idea of Candlemas is believed to have started in the 4th century, with the lighting of candles coming in the 5th century. In the USA and Canada it is also *Groundhog Day. *

Lent looks at the 40 days leading up to Easter. We think of Jesus spending 40 days fasting in the wilderness before he began his earthly ministry. The word ‘lent’ is the shortened form of the Old English word ‘lencten’ which means spring season. It starts on Ash Wednesday. The day before Ash Wednesday is Shrove Tuesday which is celebrated as Pancake day or Mardi Gras. On this day, the day before fasting begins, the rich, fatty food are eaten up - the last day of ‘fat eating’ or ‘gorging’, in readiness to start fasting. Pancakes are tossed then eaten. On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the palm crosses distributed the previous year at the Palm service, are burnt and the ashes places on people’s foreheads during the service. Lent is a penitential season and many people fast - they cut out/cut down or abstain from eating. It could also include abstaining from drinking alcohol or smoking. it could include praying more, reading more Bible studies instead of watching a favourite television programmes. (Read ‘Fasting and abstinence’) I have included list of other 40 days mentioned in the Bible. Source Wikipedia See also Pancake day & Shrove Tuesday Easter

Alexander Alfred Boddy (1854-1930) was an Anglican vicar and one of the founders of Pentecostalism in Britain. Alexander was born into an ecclesiastical family. His father was a vicar and his mother was a descendant of Mrs. Vazeille, who had been married to John Wesley. He trained as a solicitor but following a religious experience at a Keswick Convention he was convinced he should be ordained into the Church of England. Following several appointments the Bishop of Durham, J. B. Lightfoot, placed him in All Saints Church (ASC) in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland in 1884. In 1891 he married Mary Pollock. Inspired by the Holiness Movement ( See notes) he had an intense religious experience in 1892. In 1899 Mary experience healing for asthma and believed she she had the gift of healing through the laying-on of hands. In 1904 he visited Wales during the Welsh Revival and Evan Roberts. In 1907 visited Oslo where T.B. Barratt was leading a revival l based on the events at the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles. Barratt visited ASC and Alexander experience speaking in tongues.People flocked to Sunderland to hear Barratt and Boddy speak. ASC became a centre for British Pentecostalism. 28th October 1907 Mary laid hands on Smith Wigglesworth. From 1908-14 Alexander hosted a series of Sunderland Whitsuntide Conventions which gained national press attention He exercised his leadership through 3 agencies - the Sunderland Convention, Confidence (1908-1926) and the Pentecostal Missionary Union (PMU) formed in 1909 led by Cecil Pollhill. Plus his worldwide travelling ministry. He was the the most pivotal figure in the formative period of British Pentecostalism. His position as vicar, a highly respected position at the time, added respectability to the new element of Pentecostalism and gave him a leading role in the movement. The outbreak of WW1 (1915-18) and the development of the Elim movement rapidly cut his leadership for 3 reasons. His ministry was limited to parish work and war related ministry, difference in attitude towards the war- he was patriotic they were for pacifism, and thirdly the rapid growth o fElim was a cause for diversity in leadership. Also, as the movement grew, he could no longer represent the majority of Pentecostals. ( See Ku-Hyung Cho dissertation 260= pages -a few pages included) Alexander stayed in the Church of England; he tried to discourage the creation of separate denominations. Sources Thesis by Khu-Hyung Cho The Move to independence from Anglican ` Leadership Wikipedia

William Frederick Padwick Burton (1886-1971) was born in England. Willie, as he was known, enjoyed a privileged childhood - his mother was from English aristocracy, his father a ship captain. His parents dedicated him to God’s work in Africa even before he was born. He brought up in evangelical Anglican church and was confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. As a youth he was not interested in spiritual things. He attended good schools in england and travelled the world. He excelled at cricket and tennis and became an accomplished artist. Realising art would not pay the bills he studied electrical engineering at st. Lawrence college, Ramsgate. In 1905 he came under deep conviction of sin at a R.A. Torrey Evangelistic campaign in London. A few days later he experienced salvation. He immediately contacted missionary societies to no avail. For the next 8 years he worked for an engineering firm (he invented a dynamo) and looked after his aging parents. He established a habit of daily rising early and spending 2 hours of more in Bible study. In 1910 he heard about Pentecostal revival. So with a friend he decided to investigate their claims that Biblical spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, healing and prophecy were still available to be believers. They met almost every night for the entire year. That year he finally received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at the Preston Pentecostal Convention The Holy Ghost was poured upon him and he began to praise God in tongues. (He also had a third set of teeth - recorded in scientific magazine.) 1911 he stepped out in faith. He quit his engineering job and became a ‘tramp preacher’. For 3 years he walked across the English countryside preaching in homes and on village greens. 1914, just after WW1 started, he arrived in South Africa. He spent the first year preaching at various mission stations in South Africa and then travelled to the Congo with Jimmy Salter in 1915. They were based in Mwanza in Northen Katanga. Those early days were spent fighting malaria, encountering cannibal tribesman, learning the language and mapping. Willie married Hettie Trollip in 1918. 1919 the Congo Evangelistic Mission (CEM) was formed, co-founded by Willie and Jimmy, but it became known as ‘Burton’s Mission.’ He was their first field director and was in favour of indigenous (local) leadership of the church. CEM (1919) - Zaire EM (1971) - Central African M International (May 2014) Willie employed his significant giftings as a builder, engineer, teacher and artist to advance the gospel. He authored 26 books which included Congo fables and proverbs. The Pentecostal Evangel published 90 of his articles - he was read on both sides of the Atlantic. He raised money by selling his paintings and ink drawings of Congolese landscapes and life. By the time he went to the Lord the CEM had grown to almost 2,000 churches. Willie was a larger-than- life figure in the history of African Pentecostalism

Rees Howells (1879-1950) was born in Brynamman in Carmarthenshire, Wales on 10th October 1879 Aged 12 he left school and worked in tin and coal mines. He went to the USA for better financial benefits. In the USA he met a Jewish Christian called Maurice Solomon who was following the Messiah and he read a book written by Professor Henry Drummond. Between them they influenced Rees to become an Evangelical Christian. On his return to Wales he was affected by the 1904-5 Welsh Revival. He then went with his wife to Africa as missionaries. He was led down the path of intercession for many years before seeing the Revival across Southern Africa between 1915-20. On his return to Britain he felt called by the Holy Spirit to start a Bible College - his inspiration was the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinoiis.In 1924 he founded the Bible College of Wales at Glyderwen House, Swansea. During WW11 God used Ree and the young people with him in a mighty way. They helped shape international events and the destiny of nations through their prayers. This company of faith filled believers became intercessors fully committed to be part of the solution Rees was director of the college until his death in 1950. His son, Samuel Rees Howells, took over - he led the college for 53 years until his death in 2003. The college is now called Trinity School of Ministry. It is a religious training centre in Rugby, Warwickshire. ( Read ‘Trinity School of Ministry’) Rees Howells became well known as an intercessor, after his death, following Norman Grubb’s successful book Rees Howells Intercessor (1952) a biography of Rees life. Every great leader in their of faith has to learned one universal lesson: there are no short cuts. These kinds of leaders are not made in a day but on a daily basis. Rees Howells was no exception to the rule, and he was lead by the Holy Spirit to build a life of faith learned through experience, Source used Wikipedia

Cambridge Seven were 6 students from Cambridge University and one from the Royal Military Academy(RMA). In 1885 they decided to become missionaries in China through the China Inland Mission. For a month before they left the 7 toured University campuses of England and Scotland, holding meetings for students. During the tour someone dubbed them '‘The Cambridge Seven’ On the 18th March 1885 they arrived in Shanghai and engaged in a variety of ministries throughout China. The 7 were;- William Wharton Cassels Stanley Peregrine Smith Charles (C.T.) Thomas Studd (See separate TES entry) Arthur T. Polhill-Turner Cecil H. Polhill- Turner Montagu Harry Proctor Beuchamp Dixon Hoste (RMA (See ‘Work’ for what each of them achieved) One of the missiological distinctives of CIM was that the missionaries were expected to wear Chinese dress and queue (pigtail). ( See picture of 7) The conversion and example of the 7 was one of the grand gestures of 19th century missions, making them religious celebrities; as a result their story was published as 'The Evangelisation of the World: A missionary Band and became a national best seller. The China Inland Mission was set up in 1865 by James Hudson Taylor. The missionary society became known as the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (1964), today it is called OMF International (1990s). Source Wikipedia

Charles Thomas Studd , often known as C.T. Studd (1860-1931) was a British missionary. He was one of the Cambridge Seven who decided to become missionaries to China through the China Inland Mission. Charles founded W. E.C International which originally was called The Heart of Africa Mission (1913). He was capped 37 times to played for England as a cricketer. A visiting preacher convert C.T and 2 of his brothers to Christianity when they were students at Eton . I got down on my knees and I did say ‘thank you’ to God. And right then and there joy and peace came into my soul. I knew then what it was to be ‘born again’, and the Bible which had been so dry in me before, became everything. In February 1885 he went to China with the Cambridge Seven(See separate entry) His father died while he was in China and he gave away his inheritance. He emphasiised the life of faith, believing that God would provide for a Christian’s needs. While in China he married Priscilla. His spirituality was intense and he mostly only read the Bible. He wrote several books. His personal testimony became part of****Fundamentals; A Testimony of the Truth. (1 of 90 documents). On his return from China he visited his brother, Kynaston in America. He became a pastor at Ootacamund in Southern India (1900-6). He spent 15 years in China and 5 in India. In 1910 he went to the Sudan. Out of his concern for the lack of Christian faith in Central Africa he set up in 1913 the Heart for Africa Mission (which became Worldwide Evangelisation Crusade (WEC) which became Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ and today is known as WEC International). His speaking on the subject inspired a number of people. HQ for the venture 17 Highland Road, Upper Norwood, South London. Finances were often tenuous but he had the support f Lord Radstock. In 1913, against medical advice, he went with Alfred Buxton to the Belgian Congo for the first time. He established 4 mission stations in an area inhabited by 8 different tribes He returned to England when Priscilla became ill. He returned to the Congo in 1916 when she had recovered sufficiently to undertake the expansion of the mission into the WEC with workers in South America, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa He built up an extensive missionary outreach based on his centre at Ibambi in Budu territory. She made a short visit to the Congo in 1928, she died in 1929. C.T. was joined by his daughter Pauline, son-in law Norman Grubb and grandson Noel who died on his first birthday. His daughter married Alfred. In 1931, still working for the Lord C.T died at Ibambi at the age of 70. He died from untreated gallstones. To this day his name is still linked with the evangelisation of the Congo Basin. Norman Grubb wrote CTs biography -it was exceptionally popular. Only one life 'twill soon past Only what’s done for Christ will last. C.T Studd Source Wikipedia

Saint Simon and Saint Jude share the same feast day - 28th October. Simon the Zealot, or Simon the Canaanite, or Simon the Canaanean is one of the most obscure among the apostles of Jesus. He appears in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) and the Book of Acts each time there is a list of the 12 apostles without further detail Simon ( also called Peter) then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee). John (James’s brother), Philip, Barthlomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector) James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus. Simon ( the zealot) Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him) . NLT Study Bible Matt 10 v 1-4 Luke 6 v14-16 Mark 3 v13-19 Act 2 v13 Simon may have belonged to the strict group of Pharisees who called themselves the Zealots. Saint Jude was known under various names. In the list of 12 apostles above he is identified as Thaddeus. Elsewhere he is called Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. He is sometimes identified with Jude , the brother of Jesus but is clearly distinguished from Juda Iscariot, the apostle who who betrayed Jesus. In the Roman Catholic church he is the patron saint of desperate and lost causes Most versions of the New Testament in languages, other than French or English, refer to Jude and Judas by the same name this makes Identification difficult. He in not thought to be the author of the epistle of Jude! (Read ‘Identity’) They are both listed in Acts ch 2 when the Holy Spirit fell upon upon the eleven and the other believers (about 120) at Pentecost. They are not mentioned again. It is said that St. Simon might have been martyred in Persia and that St Jude was martyred at the same time.

Jim and Elisabeth Elliot are 2 of the most influential people in the history of missions. Their lives reflect total devotion to Christ and to the message of the gospel. Their stories of perseverance, suffering and even death have inspired many to go reach unreached peoples. Madeline Pena Jim decided to go with 4 friends to convert the Huaoriani people of Ecuador. It cost all 5 their lives. Their plans were preempted by the arrival on January 8th 1956 of a large group of about 10 Huarorani Warriors who killed all five of them. What I had not realised when I wrote my Acua 5 information for TES was what his wife, Elisabeth did following his death. Elisabeth went back to the Aucas tribe in 1958 with their 3 year old daughter Valerie. She stayed with them for 2 years. In 1960 the tribe accepted Christ as their Lord and saviour. Checking back on the notes I used last time I read about the Acua 5 *Books have been written about them in numerous biographers most notably Elisabeth Elliot. Elisabeth indeed wrote 3 books which chronicled her husband’s martyrdom Shadow of the Almighty, Through Gates of Splendour and The Savage My Kinsman. Elisabeth passed away in 2015. See also Acua 5 Source used Wikipedia

Kensington Temple is a Pentecostal Church in the Notting Hill area of London, England. Its former ministers include George Jeffries, Eldin Corsie, Wynne Lewis and Colin Dyer. The present church building was founded as Horbury Chapel in 1849 and used by the Hornton Street Congregational church in 1849. George Jeffireys, who birthed the Elim Pentecostal denomination, purchased the building in 1930. This became the Bible Pattern Church Fellowship, Elim’s flagship church, becoming Kensington Temple Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1935. George chose the name of the church. The building reverted to the Elim Church in the early 1960s. The church as it is known today was founded in 1965 by the Elim minister Rev. Eldin Corsie. The congregation grew under Corsie to 600. Under the next minister, Rev. Wynne Lewis the congregation became several .(He later became Elim’s Church General Superintendent . Since the 1980’s Kensington Temple, nicknamed by its members as ’ KT’ has planted 150 churches across London. Colin Dye became Senior Minister at KT in 1991. Soon after he experienced a new and powerful anointing on his life as the Lord released revelation gifts of prophecy, words of knowledge and healing. in various missions across the world he began to see signs and miracles accompany his ministry and rejoiced to see dramatic church growth, He founded the International Bible Institute of London which is one of the nation’s premier centres of training for the ministry. He is being used by God to build on the successes of the past to take the church forward into the 21st century Source used Wikipedia

David Ray Wilkinson (1931-2011) was an American Christian evangelist and author best known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade (1962). David was born on 19th May 1931 in Indiana. he is was born into a family of preachers. In his testimony he says he was baptized with the Holy Spirit aged 8. He began to preach when he was 14. After high school he entered Central Bible College, Springfield in Missouri which was affiliated to the Assemblies of God. In 1952 he was ordained a minister. In 1953 he married Gwendolyn Rose ‘Gwen’ Carosso. He served as pastor in small churches in Scottdale and Philipsburg in Pennsylvania. Early in 1958 he saw photographs in Life Magazine of 7 teenagers who were members of a gang called ‘Egyptian Dragons’ in New York. He went to the court to speak to them but the judge ejected him. Someone took a photo of him leaving and he became known as the Bible preacher who had interrupted the gang trial. Soon after he began a street ministry to young drug addicts. In 1958 he founded Teen Challenge from a small office in Staten Island, New York (NY). (Read ‘Our story-Teen Challenge’) The Cross and the Switchblade book and film tells how he moved to N Y and changed the lives of the ‘Mau Maus’ teenager gang leader Nicky Cruz and his friend israel Narvaez, after they had heard him preach. The book was a best seller - 50 million copies were sold. The 1970 film stared Pat Boone. ( Read the challenging book- I did- see Amazon advert) In 1967 he founded Youth Crusades an evangelistic ministry aimed at teenagers who were restless and bored. His goal was to prevent them becoming heavily involved with drugs, alcohol or violence, On 22nd September he founded World Challenge - which sort to promote and spread the Gospel throughout the world. He claimed in 1986 the Holy Spirit, while in NY called him to raise a ministry in Times Square. He founded and became pastor of the non-denominational Times Square Church. In 1989 the Hellinger was leased to the Times Square Church for $1 million per year, on a 5 year lease. (Read about ‘Mark Hellinger Theatre’) On the 27th April, 2011 David, aged 79, died in Texas when his car crossed into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a tractor -trailer. His wife was also serious injured. At his funeral speakers, including leadership of the church Wilkerson had founded and his relatives, honoured the evangelical pastor for a life ‘well- lived’ through personal testimonies and songs rejoicing that he in now in heaven, It was all about Jesus Christ, Carter Conion, senior pastor of Times Square Church, said of Wilkerson’s life HIs wife, Gewndolyn, died a year later on 5th July 2012 from cancer, aged 81. Source used Wikipedia

Benson Idahosa was a Charismatic Pentecostal preacher. he was the founder of Church of God Mission International. Archbishop Idahosa was popularly referred to as the father of Pentecostalism in Nigeria. He was also the founder of Benson Idahosa University in Benin City. In October 1968 he officially inaugurated the Church of God Mission international which had originally been a small prayer group. Benson died on 12th March 1998. His wife Margaret took over as the Archbishop. She is also the Chancellor of Benson idahosa University. (BIU) Their only son Bishop F.E. B. Idahosa is now president of BIU. He is also president of Big Ben 's Children Hospital and vice-president of All Nations for Christ Bible Institute International, among other positions.

John Harper (1872-1912) was a Scottish Baptist minister who died when th RMS Titanic sank on 15th April 1912. John was born on the 29th May 1872 in the village of Houston, Renfrewshire, Scotland. He embraced his parents Christian faith when he was aged 14 and began preaching aged 18. He supported himself as a young adult by doing manual work in a mill until Baptist pastor E. A. Carter of Baptist Pioneer Mission of London heard him preach. Carter placed him in ministry work in Govan, Scotland. In 1897 he became the first pastor of Paisley Road Baptist Church in Glasgow. Under his care the church grew from 25 to over 500. They then moved to a new location on Plantation Street. In 1923 they moved to their present building on Craigiehall Street and renamed it Harper Memorial Baptist Church in his honour. By 1912 John was pastor of Walworth Road Baptist Church, in London. He was a widower with a 6 year old daughter Annie Jessie (Nana). He boarded the Titanic, with his daughter and sister Jessie W. Leitch, to go and preach in the Moody Church in Chicago, where he had preached the previous fall. The ‘unsinkable’ Titanic hit an iceberg on the 14th April and was lost. His daughter and sister were placed in a lifeboat and survived. John refused a seat on the lifeboat and stayed behind. He then jumped into the water as the ship began to sink. Some survivors said that John preached the Gospel to the end Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved Acts 16 v31 first aboard the sinking ship and then afterwards to those in the freezing water before dying himself. One report says that John knowing he could not survive long in the icy water, took off his life jacket and threw it to another person with these words* You need it more than I do! * Moments later Harper disappeared beneath the water. 4 years later, when there was a reunion of the survivors of the Titanic the man to whom Harper had witnessed told the story of the rescue and gave testimony of his conversion recorded in a tract - I was John Harper’s Last convert His daughter, Annie Jessie, married a pastor, and went on to be the longest living Scottish Titanic survivor and died in 1986. A hundred plus years after his death we are still benefitting from the lasting effects of those final moments before he sank into the ocean. He left an example for 10s of 1000s of us who would never have heard of him if he had survived. God sees the big picture; we see but a small slice. A letter, written by John before he got on board, was auctioned in 2020. at a Titanic memorabilia in Wiltshire, for £42k. The auctioneer, Andrew Aldridge said , John Harper was probably one of the bravest men on that boat. Sources used Wikipedia Challenging the Physical Elements by Tony Batchelor

John Graham Lake (1870-1935 was a Canadian-American leader in the Pentecostal movement that began in the 20th century. He was known as a faith healer and missionary. With Thomas Hezmalhalch, he co-founded of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFMSA). John was born in st. Marys, Ontario, Canada on 18th March 1870. He was born into a family of 16 sibling ( 8 died young). He claimed he was ordained into the Methodist ministry aged 21. In 1890 he moved to a suburb of Chicago, Harvey, where he worked as roofer and construction worker until 1896. In February 1893 he married his first wife Jennie Stevens. During the 1890s his family regularly appeared in the John Alexander Dowie services to be healed or ‘brought back from death’s door’. in 1898 he opened a small chapter at Dowie’s Christian Christian Catholic Church in Sault Ste Marie and held meetings in his parents’ attic. In the 1900 Census his occupation was listed as carpenter, Family relocated to Zion, Illinois where he worked the theocratic town’s construction department. 1905 found new employment. 1907 converted to Pentecostalism and appeared in newspaper talking about his experience of speaking in tongues. 1908, with Thomas Hezmalhalch co-founded AFMSA and did missionary work (1908-13). According to the historian Barry Morton he played a decisive role in spreading the ‘second evangelization’ and attracted many of the early Zionists. John’s wife Jeannie, died on 22nd December 1908. He stayed another 4 years , His sister, Irene, helped raise the 7 children. The healings that happened under his ministry were documented. He returned to the USA on 1st February 1913. He married Florence Switzer in September 1913 - they had 5 children. After completing his missionary work in Africa he evangelized for 20 years along the west coast of the USA. For a year he did itinerant preaching having relocated to Spokane, Washington . From 1915-20 he ran healing rooms. He moved to Portland, Oregon for 5 years He continued to found churches and healing rooms down the California coast as far as Houton TX. Finally he return to Spokane in1931. He purchased an old church and began his final church and healing room. In 1935 John suffered a serious stroke and died on 16th September 1935, aged 65. Several books have been written recording his experiences and miracles attributed to him. John G, Lake played an important role in the spread of Pentecostalism in South Africa, the most successful southern a=African religious movement of the 20th century, Today The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFM) is a classical Pentecostal Christian denomination in South Africa with 1.2 million members.In 1996 all the AFM churches were united in a single multi-racial church. Source used Wikipedia

William Adendnegro Thompson (1811-1880) was triplet. He was an English bare-knuckle boxer who won the heavy weight championship of England from James Burke on 12th February 1839. a As a boxer he was credited with introducing the Southpaw stance. He had 2 nicknames Bendigo and Bendego. On 6th June 1850 he fought and beat Tom Paddock, it was his last fight. He was arrested for drunkenness and fined 5 shillings. He won 19/20 of his bare-knuckle fights In 1870 he saved 3 people from drowning. In 1872 he attended a congregation held by preacher Richard Weaver. He was illiterate but delivered a strong and convincing sermon. When preaching he would take up his boxer’s stance. He would point to his trophies and say See them belts? See them cups? I used to fight for those, but now I fight for Christ. His popularity as a boxer brought enormous crowds to his sermons with scores left outside. He spent the next few years touring the country preaching to crowds of 1000s, becoming more popular. Some noted that although he couldn’t read the Bible his straightforward manly speech could be useful Aged 68 he fell down the stairs fracturing a rib and puncturing a lung. He died seven weeks later on 23rd August 1880 1000s lined the street for his funeral procession and The Times of London published his obituary. His tomb, with a crouching lion, at the burial grounds at Bath Street Rest Gardens, near Victoria Leisure Centre bears this inscription. In life always brave, Fighting like a lion In death like a lamb, Tranquil in Zion. Source used Wikipedia

Evan John Roberts was mightily used by the Holy Spirit between 1904/5. He was an evangelist and leading figure of the 1904/5 Welsh Revival. Evan was born in Loughor, Wales on 8th June 1878. He was raised in a Calvinistic Methodist home. He attended church regularly and memorized scripture at night. His father had a serious accident down the coal mine when his son was nearly 12. When his father was fit to work 3 months later Evan left school and began to work in the coal mines as a doorboy. He took his Bible underground and read it at every opportunity. He worked in the coal mines until 1902. Aged 21 he became an apprentice to his uncle - a blacksmith in Pontarddulais. For 15 months he worked at the forge but his desire was to preach. Meanwhile Rev. Seth Joshua, from the beginning of the 20th century, had been praying for God to send an ordinary young man, who had worked in the mines, to lead a Revival in Wales. In 1904 Rev. Joseph Jenkins prayed earnestly for change in the church. In February young Florrie Evans rose to her feet*I love Jesus Christ with all of my heart * Immediately the whole meeting seemed to catch fire. Young people found it easy to pray and talk about their experiences. (Read ‘The origins of the Revival’) 13th September Evan and his friend Sidney Evans went to Newcastle Emlyn to attend Trefecca College to train for the ministry. On September 29th he attended a conference at Blaenannerch where the Rev. Seth Joshua prayed that God would ‘bend’ the people in the congregation. Evan prayed God would ‘bend’ him. He was made utterly obedient and utterly willing. (Read ‘Evan at Blaenannerch’) The Holy Spirit urged him to return home to Loughor. Having sought permission to go home from Rev. Evan Phillips, the minister of Newcastle, he followed his advice and caught the train. What followed was an incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit. From 31st October, in Moriah, he made pleas for people to rise and confess - each day the power of the Holy Spirit felt more powerful. On 6th November Evan asked those attending a pray meeting in the vestry to pray the same pray. O send the Holy spirit now for Jesus Christ’s sake. **He descend with great fire upon the people present and they prayed until a late hour. Read the rest of the 1904 sheets covering the Revival Meetings, The Effect of the Revival in Wales, The Out Pouring of the Holy Spirit in Wales. WONDERFUL. This continued for 2 years. 100,000 Christians influenced the spiritual life of Wales and the world. Evan in 1906, exhausted, mentally and physically, stayed in the home of William and Jessie Penn- Lewis. He recovered in 1907 to became a prayer intercessor- praying up to 18 hours a day. He occasionally spoke or counseled. In 1930 he returned to Cardiff, Wales. He died, aged 72, on 29th January 1951

Susanna Wesley (1669-1742) was the mother of John and Charles Wesley. She is known as the Mother of Methodism because conscious or unconsciously would have applied the example and teachings and circumstances of their home life. Susanna was the 25th of 25 children to be born into the Annesley Family. Her father Dr. Samuel Annesly was a Dissenter from the established church of England . Aged 12 she stopped attending her father’s church and joined the Church of England. She married Samuel Wesley on 12th November 1688 when she was 20, he was 27. They had 19 children. 9 died as infants - 4 were twins and one was accidentally smothered by a maid. When she died, aged 73, only 8 were still alive. Her husband was a very authoritarian rector and unpopular with the people at Epworth - they tried twice to burn the rectory down. He was rescued from debtors prison by the personal intervention of Archbishop Sharpe of York. He left her for a year because of a minor dispute. Susanna took responsibility for her children. She imposed s strict daily routine. From birth they were put into a regular METHOD of living. At a year old they were taught to fear the rod and to cry softly. They had 3 meals a day. At 6 in the evening, after family prayers, they had supper, washed and put to bed. Aged 5 formal education began - they attended lessons for 6 hours a day. On day one they were expected to learn the alphabet - 2 daughters took a day and 1/2 She had the happy talent of imbuing a child’s mind with every kind of useful knowledge in such a way as to stamp it indelibly on the memory- grandson Charles. After the second fire she was forced to place the children in different houses for nearly 2 years. She was responsible for their education and mortified that her children began to use improper speech and play more than study. She found time to spend time with each child during the week. When her husband went to London to defend a friend, on charges of heresy, he appointed a curate. His sermon in the morning service revolved solely about repaying debts so she set up her own Sunday afternoon activities. The children read psalms, she read her husband’s sermons. The locals asked if they could join- The curate was unhappy and complained to Samuel. Susanna’s response was if he forbade her doing good, he would have to stand with her on judgement day and explain why he had issued this command. Samuel bowed to her challenge and the meetings resumed. Samuel’s work on the Book of Job , his life’s work, had little impact on his family other than hardship. Susanna practised daily devotions. throughout her life. She wrote letters,meditations and scriptural commentaries. many were lost in the rectory fire but many survived. *Susanna Wesley, The complete writings has been made accessible by Charles Wallace. Susanna Wesley, the Mother of Methodism, died on 23rd July 1742 aged 73, and was buried at Bunhill Fields in London.