Howard Carter (1891-1971) Pentecostal Pioneer

Alfred Howard Carter, better known as Howard Carter, was a pioneer in the Pentecostal Christian faith.

Howard was born in Birmingham, England.

He took over England’s first Pentecostal Bible School. In 1913 an organization known as the Crown Mission began in the city. He became the leader of the group. 1916 he became involved in a a second Pentecostal work and had to quit his regular work to maintain leadership of the two churches.

WW1. In 1916 as a minister he should have been exempt from military service
but he was not a minister of a recognized denomination. Refusing to enter the military he spent 2 years in Wormwood Scrubbs prison. While there he focused on the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. His book Questions and Answers on Spiritual Gifts came later.

Released from prison he returned to Birmingham to pioneer a church called the People’s Hall

Later, in London with 5 other Pentecostals, the young Howard interpreted a message in tongues. *Gather my people from the North, South , East and West and build for me.

That night he received £2,500 from a business man - who had not paid his tithe- this launched him into a worldwide apostolic ministry.

In 1921 he temporarily took over the leadership of Hampstead Bible School - he stayed for 27 years. Under his leadership they purchased a nearby house and 2 more Bible schools were opened. ))

On 1st February 1924 he was 1 of 13 who signed the founding documents of the Assemblies of God. He served on the General Council as vice-chairman 1929-34 and as chairman 1934-45.

On 18th December 1831 Howard prayed for a companion. On the same day Lester Sumrall had a vision of multitudes going to hell if he did not help them.
In 1934 Howard was invited to minister at 2 camp meetings in the USA. This developed into a world tour of 60,000 miles. In the USA he met 17 year old Lester Sumrall.
They caught up with each other in Australia several years later Together they did the world tour, which included China, visiting many of Howard’s former Bible school students. The tour ended with Howard suffering with malaria on a bed in Amsterdam. Chronicled in ‘When Time Flew By’ by Lester Sumrall.

In 1948 Howard handed the Hampstead Bible School over to George Newsholme.

In 1952 at the 3rd World Pentecostal Conference in London, Wesley Steelberg, the Superintendent, died unexpectedly. In 1955 Howard married Ruth, the widow of Steelberg. They embarked on a 2 year world tour.

From 1965-7 They helped Howard’s John at the Bible School in Kenley, South London.

Ruth’s health began to wane and they moved to Springfield, Missouri. They ministered together until Howard, aged 80, died on 22nd January, 1971

The memorial service was held in London. Lester, unable to attend due due to a snowstorm, said *Howard had faith in me and launched me out on God.

*a man of great personality, genius, faith and the Spirit *

Sources
HC Mentors L S
wikipedia