Asa Alonzo Allen was born in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas on 27th March 1911. His parents were alcoholics and he grew up in dire poverty. For extra money he would busk on the streets. Aged 14 he ran away. He tok rides, hopped freight trains and did odd jobs. IN 1934, now in his early 20s , he heard joyous singing, as he drove by the Onward Methodist Church in Miller, Missouri. Curious he went in to hear a woman evangelist preaching. He went the next night and committed his life to Jesus. He began to turn his life around. He met and married Lexie Scriven in 1936. He came in contact with Pentecostalism and during a home meeting became filled with the Spirit. He decided he wanted to become a minister and affiliated with the relatively new Assembly of God. He chopped wood to make enough money to travel to small towns and preach. This was the time of the Depression - money came in very slowly. Holly, Colorado was his first pastorate. He was officially ordained a minister of the Assembly of God. He prayed and fasted and God met him. He was given 13 things he needed - many of them focused on total consecration on God. He left Colorado and began to hold meetings as a singing,healing evangelist. In 1947 he became pastor at Corpus Christi, Texas - he wanted to settle down with his wife and 4 children. The church blossomed. He wanted a radio ministry- it was turned down. In 1949 he went to an Oral Robert’s tent healing revival .He knew that was what God had called him to do. 1950 left his pastorate and began having evangelistic meetings. People were being healed, as he preached, where they sat. 1951 he bought first tent. 1953 on the radio in USA and beyond. 1955 stopped for drunk driving - was he drunk? Local church wanted him to pull out for a while -he resigned. A.A. Allen continued as an independent minister. He started his own * Miracle Magazine* by the end of 1956 there were 340,000 subscribers. Started the Miracle Revival Fellowship aimed at ordaining ministers and supporting missions. His style which had always been aggressive became increasingly . Healing ministries began to pull back. He was donated land and dubbed it Miracle Valley and in 1960 built a 4,000 seat church on the land. He also built Miracle Valley Bible College and planted more than 400 churches, He helped pioneer revival in the Philippines where he repeatedly preached to more than 50,000 people during each service. In the year he died he wrote his autobiography titled Born to Lose, Bound to win with co-author Walter Wagner. A.A. Allen was only 59 when he died. He was found dead,sitting in a chair in front of the TV, in San Francisco on 11th June 1970. They called A.A. Allen the Miracle Man. His Holy Ghost rallies would see 12,000 people receive baptism of the Holy Spirit in a single service. Sources healing and Revival The New York Times wikipedia

Phineas was the primary founder member of the Church of the Nazarene and the founding president of Point Loma Nazarene University. Phineas was born on a farm in Franklin, New York. Aged 18 he was converted to Christianity in the Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC) in Davenport and gave his first sermon. In 1857 he helped his family move to Iowa and he entered the ME ministry. In 1860 he married Maria Hebbard (they had 6 children). He was pastor in Iowa for 25 years (1857-83), He had been a pastor for 10 years including being a circuit preacher. station pastor and presiding elder when, as he preached, he experienced a fresh fire in his soul. He had a close encounter with the Holy Spirit and sanctified wholly, It changed his life -his doubts frustrations/disappeared and were replaced with a heart filled with love and desire to wholly live through the Holy Spirit. In 1883 he relocated to the Southern California Conference on the West Coast, where he ministered in 4 churches in the Los Angeles area and served as presiding elder. At the First methodist Church in Los Angeles he found a small group of active holiness people - this is where his work as a special force to promote scriptural holiness began. 4 years later in Pasadena he held special meeting featuring holiness evangelists When he became Presiding Elder of the Los Angeles district he promoted a holiness revival through out the area…Opposition stirred. The bishop was not a holiness man. Phineas was sent to smaller less influential churches. He saw the churches were doing nothing for the the ‘needy’ .people. He was invited to help organize an independent mission, Penial Mission Phineas proposed that the Conference made it a regular appointment or let him remain at the mission as a methodist leader… Proposal was rejected and he left with 'almost unbearable sadness’- the leaders thought it would hurt the image of the church. After 37 years, in 1894, he withdrew from the MEC to serve as pastor to the Peniel Mission, an independent ministry to the homeless in Fort Street Methodist Church, Los Angeles. A rift developed between Phineas and the Peniel founders, Rev. T.P.Ferguson and his wife. Phineas wanted a church that ministered to the whole family; they wanted to focus on the ‘down and out’. October 1895 Phineas, with Dr. Joseph Pomeroy Widney , joined with numerous lay people to form a new church. Widney suggested 'Church of the Nazarene (C.of N.) - because it identified the ministry with the toiling masses of common people for whom Jesus lived and died. News of the C of N spread across the USA. Phineas -General Superintendent (20 years). October 13th, 1908 C of N official opening. A car accident in 1900 slowed him down!! In 1915 he died and went home. The Church of Nazarenes now includes congregations in more than 160 countries. The 30,000 Nazarene churches around the world now has has a total membership of more the 2.5 million. wikipedia Britannia

Harry was an American pastor who became a central figure in the Fundamentalist - Modernist-controversy within American Protestantism in the 1920s and 1930s. He was one of the most prominent liberal ministers in the early 20th century. He graduated from Colgate University in 1900. He became an ordained Baptist minister in 1903 and left Union Theological Seminary in 1904. First Baptist Church, Montclair, New Jersey was his first ministry (1904-1915). In 1917 he volunteered as an Army chaplain serving in France. He also taught at Union Theological Seminary (1908-1946). In 1918 he moved to the First Presbyterian Church. On May 21st, 1922, he delivered his famous sermon Shall the Fundamentalists Win?. He presented the Bible as a record of the unfolding of God;s will not as the literal ‘Word of God’. This caused an uproar. Fundamentalists regarded it as rank apostasy and a investigation followed. At a formal trial in 1924 he escaped censure. Harry resigned and was immediately called to Park Avenue Baptist, later renamed Riverside Church. (1925-30, 1930-1946). John D.Rockefeller Jr. funded the building of the famed ecumenical Riverside Church in Morningside heights, Manhattan. Harry opposed racism and injustice. His sermons won him wide recognition.His 1933 anti-war sermon The Unknown Soldierultimately led to the founding of the Peace Pledge Union His radio addresses were broadcast nationally. Many of his sermon collections are still in print and he wrote many books. (See ‘Works’) He had a major influence on Martin Luther King Jr. who said Harry was the greatest preacher of the century.

Wallie Amos Criswell was an American pastor, author and a twice elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) from 1968-1970. He became widely known for his expository biblical preaching. He is regarded as a key figure in the late 1970s’ Conservative Resurgence’ within the S BC. W. A. Criswell only gained his first names until some years later. He was registered at birth as W.A.Criswell. Government officials wanted first names for his passport-he was given his father’s names of Wallie Amos… He grew up in poverty. His father was a cowboy -barber and barely earned a living. After learning to read books and ideas came to interest and excite him. Aged 10 he was converted and became an evangelical Baptist. Aged 12 he was ‘called’ to the ministry. He studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas He continued his ministry training at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in theology. While studying he ministered at 4 churches. He took his first ministry roll, at Chickasha, Oklahoma (1937). He moved on to Muskogee in1941. He moved on to the First Baptist Church (FBC) in Dallas ( 1944 -1993) to replace George Washington Truett. In the next 50 years the membership grew from 7,800 to 26,000. Sunday School attendance was 5,000+. The church expanded to multiple buildings- it became the largest Southern Baptist church in the world. Billy Graham joined the church in 1953. W.A. was an early pioneer of the modern mega church phenomenon. ( See First Baptist Church of Dallas paragraphs). The most significant impact of W.A/ preaching was to foster expositional preaching within the SBC and beyond. In 1946 he began an expository preaching tour through the whole Bible beginning with Genisis and ending with Revelation- it took 17 i/2 years. When he announced his intention there were many ‘nay sayers’ but the church expanded and the ministries flourished. ( See Preaching para 2) W.A. published 54 books ( See ‘Selected works’) In 1988 W.A. requested a search party to find his replacement- he was approaching 80. In 1900 Joel C. Gregory became pastor, W.A. took the title ‘Senior Pastor’. It did not work out - Gregory resigned in 1992. In 1993 O.S. Hawkins was appointed and W.R. entered semi-retirement. He kept himself busy around the church for the next 7 years. He died at the home of a long time friend, Jack Pogue on January 10th 2002, aged 92. His death made national headlines -the city of Dallas closed off the U.S. -75 for the celebrated pastor’s funeral cortege. In his book The Purpose Driven Church , pastor and author, Rick Warren describes Wallie Amos Criswell as the greatest American pastor of the twentieth century. ( See ’ Influence’) Sources used Preaching Baptist History Homepage wikipedia

Menno Simons, in full Menno Simonszoon, was born in Witmarsum, Friesland (Netherlands). He was a Dutch priest and an early leader of the peaceful wing of Dutch Anabaptism. His followers formed the Mennonite church. At an early age Menno was enrolled in a monastic school. He learned Latin and some Greek. In March 1524 , aged 28, he was ordained at Utrecht and assigned a parish at Pingjum. 7 years later he became the village priest in his home parish at Witmarsum. In his first year he questioned the presence of Christ in the bread and wine of the Eucharist. Up to this point he had avoid reading the Bible for fear he would be adversely influenced by it. He started to read both the Bible and writings of Martin Luther. By 1528 he was known as an evangelical preacher, but he had continued as a parish priest. He began to question infant baptism. He came to the conclusion that only persons of mature faith should be baptized. The experience of conversion came to be central to all of Menno’s life and theology. On 7th April, 1535 Olde Klooster near Bolsward , fell to the onslaught of the State Militia. Munster then fell on 25th July. In January 1536 he went into hiding after a spiritual struggle of 11 years. He spent a year in hiding, seeking to find a sense of direction for his future work. He wrote *The Spiritual Resurrection, THe New Birth, and Meditations on the 25th psalm *. Late 1936/early 1937 he received a believer’s baptism and ordained. He was called to leadership by the peaceful Anabaptist group founded by Obbe Philips in 1534. Menno married Gertrude - they had at least 3 children From this time in his life he was in constant danger as a heretic. 100 guilders reward for his arrest. 1543/4 he worked in East Friesland. 1544/6 spent in the Rhineland. 1546/61 he travelled from his home base in Holstein, near north east of Hamburg. 25 years after his renunciation of Catholicism Memmo died on31st January 1561. He was buried in his garden in Wustenfelde, Holstein. Menno’s influence on Anabaptism was so great in the low countries- Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg that William Estep, a Baptist historian, said that their history was divided into 3 parts - before Menno, under Menno and after Menno. He established a viable Radical Reformation movement. Included definition of Anabaptism and where it ‘sits’ with other Christian faiths. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia wikipedia Great Leaders of the Christian Church

Nathan Bangs was an American Christian theologian in the Methodist Tradition and a very influential leader in the methodist Episcopal Church before the 1860s. Nathan received a limited education, taught school and in 1799 went to Upper Canada in search of work as either a teacher or a land-surveyor. !800 he was converted to Methodism and worked for 8 years as an itinerant preacher in the wilderness of the Canadian provinces. He took responsibility for organizing the first camp held in Upper Canada. in 1805. In 1805 he also married Canadian Mary Bolton of Edwardsburgh Township. They had 11 children After a brief stint in Lower Canada he was transfered back to the USA in 1808 - first in Albany then New York 1810. 1812 made presiding Elder of the Lower Canada District, also riding the Montreal Circuit Today he would be equivalent to a district superintendent. With war brewing between Britain and the USA he ended up becoming Presiding Elder of the Croton Circuit in Delaware. 1820 he was transferred from a pastorate in New York to become the Senior Book Agent of the Methodist Book Concern . Founded in 1798 by John Dickins it was the publishing arm of American Methodism. Under Nathan the establishment was provided with its first press, binary, official premises and weekly newspaper. He paid off the Concern’s debts and was the first editor of the Methodist Magazine. In 1828 he officially became editor also of the Christian Advocate. When the Methodist Quarterly Review replaced the Methodist Magazine in 1832 he stayed editor. In 1836 Nathan became the principal founder and secretary of the Methodist Missionary Society. He devoted his chief energies to its service. (1836-41. In 1841, aged 62, he left the Society and was appointed president of the Wesleyan University of Middletown. His skills unfortunately did not far well in higher education. He returned to New York where he spent the next 20 years devoting his time to writing and pastoral work. He did stay on the Wesleyan board until his death. His most important piece of writing was History of the Methodist Episcopal Church from its Origins in1776 to the General conference of 1840 (4 volumes, New York, 1839-42) ( See list at end of wikipedia entry) Unfortunately his reputation suffered when he failed to support Methodist abolitionists at The General Conference in 1844. Nathan died on 3rd May 1862 in New York City. He had an illustrious career. During his time the Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC), in both the USA and Canada, was transformed from an alternative society into a middle class, main stream denomination. Jared Maddox’s book Nathan Bangs which came out for the bi-centenary of the MEC in 2019 revises our estimates of the man who played Wesley-like roles in refashioning post Asbury American Methodism for the print age. Sources Britannia Online Encyclopedia Methodist mission Bicentenial wikipedia

Enoch Adejaje Adeboye (born 2nd March 1942) is a Nigerian pastor, General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Worldwide. Enoch came from a very poor family. His teachers recognized he was cut out for academia. His parents sold some cherished possessions and borrowed from friends so his dream was not held back. In 1956 he was admitted to one of Nigeria’s foremost secondary schools,Ilesha Grammar School. Enoch went to the University of Nigeria in Nsukka but because of the Nigeria Civil War (1967-70) he completed his degree at Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). MA (1969) PhD (1975). His degrees were in hydrodynamics and Applied Mathematics. He holds a position as professor of Mathematics at Lagos University In 1973 he joined the RCCG. He began by interpreting Yoruba into English the sermons of Pastor Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, the founder of RCCG. Josiah had recognized, in the Spirit, that Enoch, a young university lecturer, was to be his successor. Enoch was ordained a pastor of the church in 19 77. Enoch found it hard to fully contemplate being the Oversee. Josiah, shortly before his death, shared the details of the covenant and the plans of the Lord for the church with Enoch. Josiah died in 1980 aged 71. Enoch became General Overseer of the church in 1981. For 3 years he filled the role part-time at Unilorin before giving up his university position to preach full time. He continues to be the General Overseer. He set his heart on taking RCCG to the next level of ministry, where all strata of society could be involved without compromising the true worship of God. Prior to Enoch becoming the General Oversee at RCCG was not well known. It now has branches in about 196 nations (March 2017)and 14, 000 churches - grouped into 25 regions, in Nigeria. Since 1981 RCCG, under Enoch’s leadership, has exploded across the world. In 1990 the RCCG Bible School was founded. The numbers are phenomenal Holy Ghost Services (HGS) in the mid 1980s - now millions EACH month Holy Ghost Congress 1998 - 7 million 1999 - 12 million It constituted the largest mobilization of people in one spot on the surface of the earth never before recorded. At each and every one of these events many souls are won for Christ. The Holy Spirit moves freely to heal, anoint and empower. Open Heavens his daily devotional manual - 1 million published annually He has written 60 books and broadcasts on numerous T.V. channels. Enoch has received honours across the world ( See Recognitions include the following) His trade mark of humility is disarming and endearing, enabling him to easily share his testimony of the gospel. I have included information about:- the Nigerian Civil War 1967 - 1970. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi - founder of RCCG History and Beliefs of RCCG Prosperity Theology Sources Dict, of African Christian Biography wikipedia

Zacharias Ursinus (born Zacharias Baer) was a sixteenth century German theologian born in Breslau (now Wroclaw, Poland). He is best known as a professor of theology at the University of Heidleberg and co-author with Caspar Olevianus of the Heidelberg Catechism. Aged 15 he enrolled at Wittenberg University and boarded with Philipp Melanchthon for the next 7 years. . In 1561 Prince Frederick III, elector palatine, appointed him professor in the Colleguim Sapientiae at Heidelberg (1561-76). This was on the recommendation of Peter Martyr, the Italian Reformer. Zacharias supplied the preliminary drafts for the Heidelberg Catechism (HC) and participated in the final revision of the document alongside other theologians, including Caspar Olevianus- the superintendent of the Palatinate church and other church leaders. In 1563 the Heidelberg Catechism was completed. Prince Frederick III hoped the result would form a basis for a reconciliation between the Protestant German churches. It failed to reconcile the Protestant groups in Germany but it was widely accepted and used. It has now been translated into more than 25 languages. (For further info. read H C and Heidelblog) Prince Frederick III died in 1576. The accession of the Lutheran Ludwig IV led to the removal of Zacharias. He then occupied the professorial chair at the Casmirianum, a Reformed academy at Neustadt an der WistraBe ( or Haardt) from 1578 until his death in 1583. He died, aged 48,on 6th May 1583 at Neustadt an der WistraBe. Zacharias’ Works were published between 1587-9. A more complete edition was published by his son and 2 of his pupils, David Pareus and Quirninius Reuter, in 1612. His collected catechical lectures were prominent theological handbooks and popular among seventeen century Reformed Christians in the Netherlands. Ursinus College in Collegeville. Pennsylvania, is a liberal arts college founded in 1869 in his name. Zacharias Ursinus is best known as the principal author and interpreter of the Heidelberg Catechism. Note Caspar Olevianus (1536-87) was formerly asserted as a co-author of HC but this theory has been largely discard by modern scholarship. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia FamilySearch Wiki Wikipedia

Roger was born in London, England. he became am English colonist in New England and was the founder of Rhode Island and a pioneer of religious liberty. His father was a merchant tailor. He was educated at Cambridge. In 1630 he left his post as chaplain to Sir William Masham to pursue his completely Nonconformist religious ideals in New England. 1631 he arrived in Boston. He refused to associate with the Anglican Puritans and in 1632 moved to the Separatist Plymouth Colony. In 1633, after a disagreement , back in Salem. 1634 invited to be pastor at church in Salem but banished from Massachusetts Bay by civil authorities for his dangerous opinions. January 1636 he set out for Narragansett Bay where the Narraganett Indians lived. From the Indian chiefs, Canonicus and Miantonomi he purchased land. The original deed remains in the Archives of the City of Providence. In founding Rhode Island in 1636 he revoked many of society’s norms. He established the separation of church and state by removing religious doctrine from governance of the colony. His beliefs on equality extended to the Native Americans and enslaved people. He purchased Providence and Rhode Island in deeds and goods from the Narragansett Indians. It may have been the first legal deed entered upon in the New World. Many of principles forged on Rhode Island found their way into the US Bill of Rights and the US Constitution. Roger returned twice to England. In June or July 1643 he came to claim a charter for the providence Plantations in Narragansett Bay. In 1651, having sold his trading post, he returned to have the charter confirmed. He then returned to Rhode Island before 1654. He was Governor of the Colony from 1654-8. John Clarke finally got the Royal Charter from King Charles II on 8th July 1663. During the King Philip’s War 1675/6 most of the Province was burnt but he lived to see it rebuilt. He continued to preach and the Colony grew through its acceptance of settlers of different religious persuasions. Roger was the first major figure in colonial America to instill democracy, religious freedom and understanding and inclusion of America’ nature cultures. Through his scholarship in language,theology and law and fearless advocacy for freedom and tolerance, Roger’s life reflected the value of learning and teaching. Roger was a visionary, a revolutionary, a radical and a rebel. His advocacy for religious liberty, equality and a government free from religion forced him to flee persecution from his native England and then cost him exile from colonial Massachusetts. Roger was a vigorous controversialist and a prolific writer. In 1956 Roger Williams Junior College became a 2 year ,degree granting institution. In 1992 it became the Roger Williams University (RWU). 1993 it established the RWU School of Law. Today RWU is a leading education institute serving 5,400 students. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia Family Association Roger William’s University

Arthur Walkington Pink was an English Bible teacher who sparked a renewed interest in the exposition of Calvinism or Reformed Theology. Arthur was born in Nottingham, England. He desired to become a minister but was unwilling to attend a liberal theological college in the UK. He briefly studied at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in 1910. He took a pastorate of the Congregational church in Silverton, Colorado.He then took on joint pastorates in rural Burkesville and Albany in Kentucky. In 1916 he married a local girl from Kentucky - Vera E. Russell (1893-1962). In 1917 they moved to Spantanburg, South Carolina. He had his first 2 books published in 1917/8. He also published his first edition of The Sovereignty of God (1918). The modified version of the book was republished by* Banner of Truth* in 1961 and by 2004 had sold 177,000 copies. In January 1922 he published the first issue of Studies in the Scriptures. By the end of the first year he about 1,000 subscribers. This ended up as 17 volumes and became the source for dozens of books. IN 1923 he suffered a nervous breakdown. On regaining his health they sailed to Sydney, Australia. He served as both an evangelist and Bible teacher at the Ashfield Tabernacle. Bur his impolitic (rude) preaching Calvinistic doctrine resulted in him not having his position endorsed. He served as pastor of 2 groups of Strict and Particular baptists. He returned to the UK and was invited to preach at a pastorless church in Seaton, Devon. Members thought he would split the church. The couple returned to Kentucky, Vera’s home state. He hoped to become the pastor of the Baptist church in Morton’s gap. His hopes again are dashed. In 1933 his father dies and Arthur receives enough estate so the couple can live a simple life without financial concerns for the rest of his life. The year is 1934 Arthur has reached the point where he believes his ministry is in writing , not preaching and returns to the UK. 1936 they move to Hove, near Brighton. During WW11 (1939-45) Hove is a regular target for German Air raids. They make their last move - Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Arthur governs his time in study and writing with ‘military precision’. In 1951 Vera was aware Arthur was losing weight and in pain. He refused to take any medicine in case it might dull his mind and hinder him from compleing his work. On 15th July 1952 he died. *‘The Scriptures explain themselves’ were his last words. After his death there was a major shift of evangelical opinion toward Calvinist theology. In 1982 Baker Book House published 22 of Arthur’s books and sold 350,000 total copies. 'Sovereignty of God’ did more than any other in redirecting the thinking of a younger generation. (177,000 copies by 2004). Arthur was eventually ‘heard’ through his books not his sermons. Sources used Google search wikipedia

John Foxe was a Puritan preacher and author of one of the most important and influential books ever printed of the Christian religion after the Bible John Foxe (1516-1587)was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England during the reign of the Tudors. Henry V111 (1509-1547) Edward V! (1547-53) Jane Grey (1553) Mary 1 (1553-8) Elizabeth 1 (1558-1603. During the reign of these monarchs he wrote *Acts and Monuments of Matters Happening in the Church (1563) It was commonly known as ‘* Foxe’s Book of Martyrs’* or Book of the Martyrs *It is hard to over emphasis the impact his Acts and Monuments had the 20 years following its 1563 publication. By the second edition (1570) it was part of the national myth … Foxe provided a history and theology for the triumph of the Reformation. David Loades, historian Lets go back to the beginning. John, aged 16 entered Brasenose College, Oxford. He went onto Magdalen College to earn a BA (1537). He lectured logic in 1540/1. Earned a MA (1543). He wrote several Latin plays on Scriptural subjects. he had become a fellow of Magdalen College in 1539 but resigned in 1545. He had come under suspicion of harbouring Protestant views more extreme than the authorities of his college would allow. He moved to London where he became the tutor to the grand children of the duke of Norfolk. Ordained deacon and worked for the reformation writing several tracts. Began his account of martyrs. Fled overseas when Mary1 became queen- a Roman Catholic. First copy published in Latin (1554), in Strasbourg, France containing his partially completed martyrology. With manuscripts sent to him from England he carried his account of the martyrs up to 1556 (printed) Returned to England with Elizabeth 1 - a Protestant queen now on the throne- to complete his great work. In 1560 ordained Anglican priest.He perused official registers and using memories of eyewitnesses, he enlarged the story. His English translation was printed under the title Acts and Monuments of these Letters and Perillous Dayes (1563) ( For FULL title see The First English Edition). There was a second (1570), third !1576) and fourth edition (!583) The Bible aside, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs stands as one of the most important and influential books ever printed in Christian history. It remains the only exhaustive reference work on the history of Christian Martyrs. Its popularity was immense among the people at the time it was written John Foxe’s monument is his book. He died on 8th April 1587 and was Buried at St. Giles’s Cripplegate. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia Christianity Today English Bible History

Benajah Harvey Carroll known as B. H. Carroll was a Baptist pastor, theologian, teacher and author. and founder of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1908) He was born near Carrollton, in Carroll County, north central Mississippi. he was one of 12 children. His father was a Baptist minister. He served in the Confederate States of America army (1862-4). Aged 21/2 he converted to Christianity following a revival meeting. B.H. pastored multiple churches. He spent 28 years at the First baptist church of Waco. he was instrumental in the formation of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the consolidation of the 2 Texas Baptist colleges into Baylor University. Aged 65, and not in the best of health, he had a vision while on a train journey through the Texas Panhandle. He visualized multitude of of preachers with limited education hungering for a better education. The year was 1905. B.H. wasted no time in seeking to fulfill his vision - by March 4th 1908 the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) was founded. He became its first president. In 1910 it moved from Baylor University in Waco to Fort Worth Hill. (Read the full story SWBTS Legacy: B.H. Carroll) B.H. published 33 volumes of works. The best known is his 17 volume commentary Interpretations of the English Bible. Benajah Harvey Carroll fell into a coma and died on the 11 th November 1914 Lord God, I am glad I am a preacher, that I am a preacher of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. B.H. Carroll J. B Cranfill, who had B.H. for his pastor for 12 years, in Life Sketch of B.H. Carroll (1908) and The Passing of B.H. Carroll (1914 ) gives us further insight into this great Baptist minister which he held in high esteem. We are told he was a great reader -100s of pages a day- he had a great memory, a marvelous preacher, a peerless statesman, a marvelous teacher, an able writer, a great scholar. Above everything he was a heroic Christian and a true and faithful friend. B.H.’ s funeral was in SWBTS chapel. Cranfill said the Eulogy. He spoke about the funeral happening around the silent form of B.H. Carroll in his own monument. This will be his monument and will be his monument through all the years to come. Sources used wikipedia Southwestern Baptist theological Seminary Baptist History Homepage

John Gresham Machen was an American Presbyterian theologian and fundamentalist leader. John was the founder of the Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) (1929) in Philadelphia. He was also one of the founders of theOrthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) (1936). John was born into a prominent family in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Some time in his youth he came to a personal faith in Christ but there was no dramatic conversion experience. On 4 th January 1896 he publicly professed his faith and became a member off the Flanklin Street Presbyterian Church… He studied at John Hopkins University, Princeton Theological Seminary and the universities at Marburg and Gottingen in Germany. John taught at Princeton Seminary from 1906 until he left in 1929. In his book Christianity and Liberalism (1923) he had criticized liberal Protestantism as being unbiblical and unhistorical and struggled to preserve the conservative character of the Princeton Theological Seminary. He left Princeton after the school was reorganized and adopted a more accepting attitude towards liberal Protestantism. His fight for Christianity cost him a great deal. Not only did he lose his position at Princeton, but his church also declared him guilty of insubordination and stripped him of his credentials as a minister. ( History WTS) 1929 John founded a new school - Westminster Theological Seminary. He took with him senior faculty members of Princeton and some bright scholars. WTS soon became, and still is, one of the most highly regarded Christian reformed institutes in the world, with commitment to the Word of God. (Read last paragraph of ‘History’) The Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) was founded on 11th June 1936. It was originally called Presbyterian Church of America but following a threat of a lawsuit it had to change its name in 1939. OPC has slowly grown to over 30,000 members with over 300 churches. John was one of its founders and was its first Moderator John Gresham Machen, who died from pneumonia on New Year’s Day 1937, was a major theological voice in support of conservative Christianity. Machen left the prestige of Princeton to stand for the truth of the Bible. He knew that theological compromise would harm the spiritual power of the church. (History WTS) Sources Banner of the Truth UK Britannica Online Encyclopedia History Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Dr.John Gill was an English Baptist pastor, biblical scholar and theologian who held firm to the Calvinistic doctrine of salvation. John was the first major writing Baptist theologian. His church at Goat Yard Chapel would in the future become The Metropolitan Tabernacle… He was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire and attended the grammar school there. He mastered the Latin classics and learned Greek by the age of 11. At the age of 12 he heard a sermon on the text And the Lord God called unto Adam and said unto him, Where art thou? Genesis ch.3 v 9. This stayed with but it was not until he was 18 that he made a public profession. At the age of 21 he began his first pastoral work as an intern for John Davis at Higham Ferrers. Aged just 22 he began his 51 year pastorate at the Strict Baptist church at Goat Yard Chapel, Horsleydown, Southwark. His congregation needed a larger premises so they moved to Carter Lane, St. Olave’s Street, Southwark. This would later become the New Park Street Chapel and then The Metropolitan Tabernacle - which today has the largest Baptist congregation in the U.K… John was a profound scholar and a prolific author. He was one of the greatest biblical scholars of his time. His Bible commentaries remain in print to this day. Works of John Gill a veritable cornucopia of Biblical knowledge Amazon (See list of Various works) He continued self-study in everything from logic to Hebrew. His love of Hebrew remained throughout his life. John supported George Whitefield at Kennington Gardens. In 1739 the earliest sermons on the ’ Great Awakening’ brought 1000s to experience new birth. ( see ‘Great Awakening’ notes) Sources used Amazon History Great Awakening Metropolitan Tabernacle wikipedia

Isaac was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England. His father was in prison at the time because of his nonconformist sympathies - he was eventually released. Young Isaac showed genius early. He was learning Latin by the age of 4, Greek at 9, French by 11 and Hebrew by 13. The fact that his father was a nonconformist meant that his bright child could not go to either Oxford or Cambridge university. At 16 he went to study at the Dissenting Academy at Stoke Newington, London (1690- 4). After graduation he spent the next 2 years at home. During this time the bulk of the Hymns and Spiritual Songs ( eventually published in 1707-9) were written and sung from manuscripts in the Southampton chapel. He spent the next 6 years as tutor to the son of Sir John Hartopp. During this time he began to accumulate theological and philosophical materials which he published subsequently. Isaac preached his first sermon when he was 24. In 1699 Isaac was appointed assistant minister of London’s Mark Lane Independent chapel - then one of the city’s most influential independent churches. In March 1702 he became full pastor. Apparently he was an inspiring preacher. His first collection of hymns and sacred lyrics was *Horae Lyricae *(1706). In 1703 he began to suffer from a psychiatric illness which would plague him for the rest of his life. 1712 a fever chattered his constitution. His illness and unsightly appearance took its toll. His 5 foot, pale, skinny frame was topped by a disproportionately over sized head. He had to pass off more and more of his work to Mr Samuel Price, his assistant. He resigned in 1712. He accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney at Abney Park- intending to stay a week . At Sir Thomas’ request it became his home for the rest of his life. He preached whenever his delicate health would permit and he continued to write. Besides using Psalms and writing hymns he wrote religious songs especially for children Divine Songs for the Use of Children (1719). He also wrote educational books on geography, astronomy, grammar and philosophy which were widely used throughout the 18th century. The hymns he wrote include When I Survey the Wondrous Cross , Our God, Our Help in Ages Past, Jesus Shall Reign It is as a writer of psalms and hymns that he is known everywhere. Some of his hymns were written to be sung after his sermon, giving expression to the meaning of the text upon which he had preached. Isaac died on 25th November 1748. he was buried in the Puritan resting place at Bunhill Fields, BUT a monument was erected to him in Westminster Abbey. Montgomery calls Isaac the greatest name among hymn writers and the honour can hardly be disputed. His published hymns number more than 800. Sources used Britannia Online Encyclopedia Chritianity Today Hymnary.org

Rev. Dr. John Rippon was an English Baptist Minister. In 1787 he published an important hymnal A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, Intended to Be an Appendix toDr. Watts’ Psalms and Hymns - commonly known as * Rippon’s Selection* He was pastor to the Tabernacle Fellowship, which now meets at The Metropolitan Tabernacle, for 63 years. John Rippon was born at Tiverton, Devonshire, England. Aged about 16 he was called by divine grace to follow Jesus. Aged 17 he attended Bristol baptist College. At the close of his preparatory course he was invited to supply the pulpit of the particular baptist Church, Carter Lane, Tooley Street London left vacant after the death of eminent and venerable pastor the Rev. Dr. John Gill. John had neither the talents nor the learning of his predecessor but he was bold, witty and ready in speech. His preaching was lively, affectionate and impressive Having preached for a year on trial he was ordained pastor of the church on 11th November 1773. He stayed for the next 63 years. His congregation was the Tabernacle Fellowship which in his time there became the largest Baptist congregation in the land. Today it is the famous The Metropolitan Tabernacle. (See ‘Brief History’) Rippon’s Selection was very successful- reprinted 27 times in over 200,000 copies. He was considered to be the foremost authority on the hymns of Isaac Watts. He wrote several other guides about Watts - 1773, 1774, 1801 and 1816. He also published a considerable number of sermons, discourses and addresses. For 12 years he edited the Baptist Annual Register. (1790-1802)- this gave the brethren in Europe and American an organ through which they might address each other. John finished his long and useful life on the 17th December 1836. At the time of his death he was working on a book commemorating those buried in London’s Dissenter cemetery, Bunhill Fields , where he himself was buried. Sources used Baptist Quarterly Hymnology Archive How Firm a Foundation The Reformed Reader wikipedia

James served as a Southern Baptist pastor, theologian, author, seminary professor and founder and first president oft the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS). He was born at Charleston, South Carolina. James was educated at Brown University under Francis Wayland, whose evangelical sermons contributed to James conversion. James served as editor of the Southern Baptist when he graduated. In 1849 he then went to Princeton Theological Seminary under Charles Hodge who led James to appreciate Calvinistic theology. He completed the 3 year course in 2 years. He then served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Columbia, South Carolina until 1855 when he was offered the chance to join the faculty at South Carolina’s Furman University (SCFU) as professor of theology. James enjoyed teaching at SCFU but he wanted to begin a Baptist seminary for southerners. In his famous 1856 inaugural address on Three Changes in Theological Education he presented his educational philosophy for a theological school. With the help of fellow southern Baptists he brought his vision to life - Southern Seminary (SS) opened in Greenville in 1859. For nearly 30 years years he served SS 's as defacto president. He proved himself to be a skillful fund-raiser and administrator. He finally took the title in 1888- the year he died.His talent as an executive fostered competition for his talents but he stayed at SS. He taught theology from 1859 until 1888. He wrote a catechism and a book Abstract of systematic Theology (1887). The book was used for many years in the department. He led a Sunday School class at Broadway Baptist church and served as president for Southern Baptist Convention (1872-9 and 1888). In 1888 he became ill and he took the opportunity to recover in Europe. His heart lifted when he met Charles Spurgeon. Reports indicated James was suffering from gout and while travelling his condition worsened and became fatal. He died in Pau, France on 28th December 1888. James’ legacy lives onto this day through the seminary he devoted his life to establishing and preserving. - Our Presidents Sources used Amazon Southern Seminary wikipedia

Charles Hodge was a leader of the ‘Princeton School’ of Reformed or Calvinist theology, and the principal of Princeton Theological Seminary (1851-78). He was a conservative American biblical scholar and one of the greatest defenders of historical Calvinism in the USA during the 19th century. His theology was based on traditional beliefs. Charles spent most of his adult life at Princeton University. Time Line 1812 Charles matriculated from College of New Jersey (now Princeton University (PU) 1814-5 Revival came to the PU in the winter 1815 he graduated and made a public profession of faith by joining the Presbyterians 1816 entered the theological seminary in PU. 1820 appointed teacher at PU in May 1821 he is ordained into the ministry 1822 became professor of Biblical and Oriental Literature 17th June marries Sarah Bache 1825 founded the * Biblical Repertory * 1826-8 abroad attending lectures in Europe 1840 chair of exegetical and didactic 1851-78 principal of PU 72 24th April Jubilee and Celebration of 50 years with PU 78 died 19th June Charles wrote copiously from the beginning to the end of his theological career, His master work, the 3 volume Systematic Theology was an unashamed defence of the tenets of the Presbyterian church. (See ‘Thought and works’) He founded the Biblical Repertory ( later the Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review) in 1825 and remained editor and principal contributor for 43 years - the year he died. He contributed nearly 150 articles to the journal. In the 1830s he had supported slavery; by 1846 he became convinced that slavery was wrong. He publically deno He educated more than 3,000 ministers of the Gospel. He achieved distinction as a teacher, as a critical interpreter, preacher, and systematic theologian At conferences he spoke with clearness and logical precision but with spontaneity and tenderness. At the 1872, 50 year Jubilee celebrations 400 of his own pupils, colleagues and representatives from various theological institutes assembled to honour him. Congratulations arrived from across the globe. Devotion to Christ was foremost in his experience, and it was the test by which he judged the experiences of others. Charles died on 19th June 1878 in Princeton. He had enjoyed old age surrounded by his children and grandchildren. To his daughter he said, Dearest don’t weep. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. To be with the Lord is to see him. To see the Lord is to be like him. Source used American Theology

William was an English poet and hymnodist. He was one of the most popular poets of his time. He changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. I have just concentrated on his life as a hymnodist, William was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. His father John Cowper was the rector of St. Peter’s church. He lost his mother 6 years later when she died giving birth to his brother John. He went to Westminster school in 1742. He was a Latin scholar. In 1750 he began to study law. He was then articled to Mr. Chapman, a solicitor, to be trained as a lawyer. He was called to the bar in 1754 and took chambers in London’s Middle Temple. By this time he was beginning to show signs of the mental instability which would plague him for the rest of his life. In 1763 he was offered a Clerkship of Journals in the House of Lords but broke under the strain of the approaching examinations. He tried 3 times to commit suicide and was confined for 18 months to Nathaniel Cotton’s asylum at St. Albans for 18 months. He was troubled by religious doubts and fears and persistently dreaming of his predestined damnation. On recovery religion provided the comfort for William’s convalescence. He went to Huntingdon where he lodged with Rev. Morley Unwin, his wife Mary and their small family. Morley in 1767 died in a riding accident and they moved to Olney in Buckinghamshire. In Olney the curate, John Newton, encouraged William in a life of practical evangelism . That failed as his doubt and melancholy returned. But William and John collaborated on a book of religious verse- Olney Hymns - which was eventually published in 1779. This included Praise for the Fountain Opened, and Light shining out of darkness. 1773 William experienced another attack of insanity. When he recovered the following year his religious fervour was gone. Poetry and Hymns, in my opinion, are closely linked. Inspiration for both can come from loved ones. 50 years after his mother’s death he wrote* On the Receipt of My Mother’s Picture. * In his student days he became engaged to his cousin Theodora Cowper. Mary Unwin helped him recover from his illness and they became very close after her husband’s death. A further relapse into near madness in 1773 put paid to the idea of marriage. In 1781 Lady Austen, a charming widow, inspired William to write new poetry. In 1786 he became close to Lady Harriet Hesketh - Theodora’s sister. William was seized with dropsy in the spring of 1800 and he died on the 25th of April. He was buried in the chapel of St. Thomas of Canterbury. There are stained glass windows in East Dereham and in St. Peter’s Berkhamsted. Robert Southey between 1835-7 edited William’s 15 volumes of writings. William Cowper is considered one of the best writers of English and some of his hymns have become part of the heritage of English churches. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia Wikipedia

Merrill Chaplin Tenney was an American professor of New Testament and Greek and author of several books. He was general editor of the Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary and served on the original translation team of the New American Standard Bible. Merrill was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts. He earned diploma (1924), Th.B (1927), A.M. (1930), and a Ph.D. (1944). He married Helen Margaret Jaderquist (1904-78) in 1930. He served as pastor of Storrs Avenue Baptist Church, in Braintree, Massachusetts (1926-8) at the same time as teaching at Gordon College while he was still a student there. He joined the faculty after graduation and was professor of New Testament and Greek until 1944 when he moved to Wheaton College. From 1947-1971 he was dean of the graduate school. In 1951 he became the second president of the Evangelical Theological Society. In 1975 a volume of essays entitled Current Issues in Biblical and patristic Interpretation was published in his honour. He retired in 1977 but continued teaching as professor emeritus until 1982. Under Selected Works 8 books are mentioned and under Articles and Chapters 8 are mentioned. Merrill died in Wheaton on March 18th, 1985.