Edward Joshua Poole-Connor was an evangelical preacher and Christian leader. He served as secretary of the North African Mission (now known as Arab World Ministries) between his 2 pastorates at The Talbot Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London. He founded the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), helped administer the The Lord’s Day Observance Society ( now called DayOne) and was a regular speaker at Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony conferences. He was also a founding member of the London Bible College. Edward was born in Hackney, London, on 27th July 1872. He was a delicate child. His strict parents were of Irish extraction and devout Christians. Sunday , the Lord’s day, was the happiest day of the week. He was converted early in life - some of his Sunday school pupils were older than the teacher! Aged 21 he was baptized by immersion and took charge of Aldershot Baptist church (1893-7). He then had a short pastorate in London followed by 10 happy years in Surbiton wher he made friends with Dr. Barnardo. He sat and passed the Ministerial Recognition Examination of the Baptist Union. He later left the Baptist Union because of the ‘Downgrade’ controversy. (See Spurgeon notes) He became assistant pastor to W.Fuller Gooch , at the unsectarian Lansdown Hall at West Norwood. In 1913 he was invited to Talbot Tabernacle as pastor. His two pastoral periods were divided by his service to the North Africa Mission which took him to the Barbary states in North Africa. In 1922 Edward took steps to form *Fellowship of Independent Churches (FIC) which is now called Fellowship of Independent Evangelic Churches (FIEC). Later he serves the fellowship as national Commissioner. After WW 11 he was Honorary Principal of All Nations Bible College for 3 years. Edward visited a number of European countries. Aged 80 he did a preaching and lecturing tour of the USA. On the death of Mr. W.E. Dalling he undertook the task of editing Bible League Quarterly. which is still being published. He also found time to publish 9 books. ( See ‘Writings’) For 40 years he was a welcome speaker on the *Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony platform. Edward’s ministry spanned the most turbulent period in British church life, from the time of Charles Spurgeon to the 1960s, and whose record and analysis of its events has been widely observed. Sources used wikipedia Writings of others The Tabernacle FIEC

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

Dr.Peter Masters has been the minister at of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London since 1970. He founded the Evangelical Times in 1967. He directs the School of Theology, an annual Christmas conference for pastors and Christian workers. Peter has been at the Metropolitan Tabernacle now for 40 years. He continues to edit The Sword and Trowel started by the great Charles Spurgeon in 1865. Peter founded the London Reformed Baptist Seminary (LRBS) in 1976 and directs the further studies of both pastors and fledgling pastors in the Tabernacle’s seminary. The LRBS went on line in 2011. In October 2014 the 2 courses - the part time for those living in the UK and the online course for those overseas were merged, enabling those in the UK to follow the course online. Peter has published 28 books which have been translated into 28 languages. (See ‘Authorship’ fro list of 28 ) ( See ’ Selected works currently printed’ for titles of his books.) His sermons have been broadcast in the UK since 2003. On the Sky channel UCB initially but they they were transfered to Sky channel Revelation TV in 2013. These broadcasts are aired every Saturday at 8 pm and include a sermon from Peter and an accompanying apologetic or biographical feature. There are other channels too. The programmes are carried by a number of overseas radio stations including the USA and New Zealand Evangelical Times was founded in 1967 by Peter. It is a monthly, conservative evangelical newspaper. Peter was the original editor , Mike Judge, pastor of Chorlton Evangelical church is the current editor. I have included pictures and a brief history of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The Tabernacle Fellowship goes back to the year 1650. The ‘Brief History’ finishes with these words. By 1970, our ranks had fallen to the point where we occupied only a few pews, but the Lord refreshed us and blessed our testimony giving rise to the full church and galleries of today. We give all the glory to Him for the large number of people who have come into the Tabernacle over the past forty years, for numerous professions of faith, and for the various ministries which have been established. The church have to thank the Lord and Dr. Peter Masters’ ministry for its revival. Sources Metropolitan Tabernacle Google search

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.

Dr Paul is an Indian evangelical preacher, Chancellor of the Karunya Institute of Technology and Science (deemed to be University) -which he owns and an operator of the Jesus Calls ministry He operates Rainbow TV an evangelical channel. In 2003 he established Samiti for Education Education Environment Social and health Action (SEESHA). Evangeline, his wife, ministers by his side powerfully with grace and compassion for the millions. Dr. Paul received his B.Sc. degree at Loyola College. From Madras University he received a MBA and a Ph.D, degree in marketing. His journey of faith began when he accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal saviour when he was 18. He dedicated his life to serve people. His mission has touched millions positively. He heads The Jesus Calls Ministry where he along with his family and team conduct Prayer Festivals across India, having the profound impact of gathering up to 500,000 during each service. 126 Prayer Towers, under his leadership, have been established across the world where nearly 500,000 call for prayer each month. Nearly 20,000 prayer intercessors , from 12 countries have been trained personally by Paul. The Jesus Calls telecasts 400 programmes a month in 10 languages across the globe.He and his family bring hope and encouragement to 10 million people social media alone. At the Karunya Institute of Technology, ranked in the top 50 institutes in India, 8,000 students are studying.(27,000 have graduated). In 2003 he established SEESHA. In the lst 17 years it has brought hope and care to 3.5 million individuals - it is a humanitarian outreach mission. It works in 42 of the poorest communities in remote tribal, rural and urban slum areas to improve people’s standard of living and quality of life. (Read in full the SEESHA information) He conducts special prayer meetings to seek the Lord’s blessing for the Government in each State of India. God is using Dr. Paul mightily in His service. Many thirsty souls are being drawn close to God because of Dr. Paul’s Prayer and Ministry. Sources used Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Jesus Calls Ministries

Saint John was one of original twelve disciples Jesus chose to be an apostle. He was probably a disciple of John the Baptist first. John along with the other eleven spent a great deal of time with Jesus. He with older brother James and Simon Peter were part of of an inner circle. He is known as the ‘disciple Jesus loved’ because that is how he describes himself in the gospel of John. After Christ’s resurrection he was ‘number two’ to Peter. They are mentioned together on a number of occasions. He is recognised as the author of the Gospel of John, the epistles of John and the book of Revelation. Revelation begins with him saying he is on the island of Patmos ( ch.1 v.10), where it is believed he was being held prisoner for being a follower of Christ. He may have died a martyr. Sources suggest he lived until he was 90+ I have included, in full, all the Biblical references to John. Plus information from Wikipedia and Britannica

This is the day that Jesus ascends back up to Heaven having defeated death at the crucifixion with his resurrection… Pictures show him disappearing in a cloud with his disciples looking on. He leaves them having promised that the Holy Ghost will come. The Holy Ghost, who will be their comforter and guide, will appear at Pentecost in the form of a wind and tongues of fire. Acts ch 2 . I have created a brief information sheet about Ascension day. There are FREE b/w pictures to download and colour. The task is to find how many words they can find in either Ascension or Ascension Day. Once they have created a list they can create a simple crossword with answers. I have included my original list for Ascension Day and the full list for Ascension found in Word Maker. There are also some examples for the simple crossword.

This is the last great festival of the church’s year. The Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost/Spirit is celebrated. There is a straight forward information sheet. On Google it is possible to get b/w pictures for the children to colour. I have created a ‘How many words can you find in Trinity Sunday’ sheet. When they have found a few words they can create a simple crossword - example of crossword shown. I have included a Word Maker for TrinitySunday if they have a problem finding words.

Saint Frances of Rome was an Italian saint who was a wife, mother (six children), organizer of charitable services and a Benedictine oblate (a person dedicated to a monastic or religious life). As an 11 year old she had wanted to be a nun but within a year she was forced to marry Lorenzo Ponziani, a commander of the papal troops in Rome. They were happily married for 40 years- he was frequently at war, she spent her time visiting the poor and taking care of the sick. Twice she turn her home/castle into a hospital. She lost two children because of the plague. With Lorenzo’s approval she founded on August 15th, 1425 the Oblates of Mary. In March 1433 she founded a monastery at Tor de’ Specchi in Campidoglio. For a number of years she looked after Lorenzo after he had been seriously wounded. After his death in 1436 she moved into the monastery and she became the superior. She died in 1440 and was buried in Santa Maria Nova. On May 9th, 1608 she was canonised by Pope Paul V in recognition of her life’s work. In 1925 Pope Pius XI declared her the patron saint of automobile drivers because of a legend that an angel used to light the road before her with a lantern when she traveled keeping her safe from hazards.

St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, nine other countries, plus a number of different groups- from fishermen to farmworkers. He was one of Christ's original disciples so I have included Biblical references to him. There is a brief biography with a two gap sheets to fill in. There is also a crossword, a word search and 'How many words can you find in Andrew? ' There is a sheet about the history of the St. Andrew flag and the Union Jack plus some ideas for a Diary- this comes with a clipart sheet for final copy. I hope children find the work interesting

Augustus Montague Toplady was an Anglican cleric and hymn writer. He is best remembered as the author of the hymn ‘Rock of Ages’. Augustus was born in Farnham, Surrey, England. His father Richard, who was probably Irish, was a major in the Royal Marines. He fought in the War of Jenkin’s Ear (1739-42) and died most likely from yellow fever. This meant his mother, Catherine, raised the boy alone. They moved to Westminster and he attended the local school from 1750-55. They moved to Ireland where he attended Trinity College, Dublin. August 1755 Augustus heard a sermon preached by James Morris in a barn in Codymain, co. Wexford . The text was Ephesians ch 2 v 13 *But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who were sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. He remembered this sermon when he received his effectual calling from God. Having under gone his conversion under the preaching of a Methodist preacher he initially followed John Wesley in supporting Arminianism. Aged 18 he read other material by Thomas Manton and Jerome Zanchius which convinced him that Calvinism was correct. (See Calvinism - Arminian debate etc. sheets) 1759 Augustus, aged 19, published his first book Poems of Sacred Subjects. 1760 graduated from Trinity College and returned to Westminster. John Gill encouraged him to publish his translation of Jerome Zanchius’ work on predestination. 1762 ordained as an Anglican deacon and appointed curate at Blagdon in the Mendip Hills in Somerset. 1763 wrote Rock of Ages. 1764 ordained priest. In 1766 he becomes the incumbent, through simony (bought by the church), of Harpford and Venn Ottery, 2 villages in Devon. He moves to the Devon village of Broadhembury where he stays until his death in 1778 -but from 1775 he has leave of absence. The Calvinist controversy went on for 9 years (1768-78). Augustus Toplady v John Wesley. Arminianism v Calvinism. Was the Church of England historically Calvinist or Arminian? The debate peaked when Augustus in 1774 when he published his 700 page The Historic Proof of the Doctrinal Calvinism of the Church of England. (See’ Calvinist controversialist: 1769-78’) Toplady and Wesley relationship had initially been cordial but it became increasingly bitter. He spent the last 3 years of his life mainly in London. preaching regularly in a French Calvinist(!) chapel in Orange steer, off the Haymarket. His volume of psalms and hymns for Public and private worship were published in 1776. Of the 419 hymns several were written by him. Augustus of died tuberculosis on 11th August 1778. He is buried at Whitefield’s Tabernacle, Tottenham Court Road. Thank you for Rock of Ages He was impulsive, rash-spoken, reckless in misjudgement; but a flame of genuine devoutness burned in the fragile lamp of his overtasked and wasted body. Rev. A.B. Grosart, D.D., LL.D. Sources used 5 minutes in Church History Britannica Online Encyclopedia hymnary.org John Wesley’s Journal wikipedia

The Incredible Disappearing Evangelist was the newspaper headlines in May 1926. She was already a phenomenon before she went missing. Aimee was born in 1890, in Ingersoll, Ontario,Canada, into a religious Methodist family. Her mother was for the ’ tambourine thumping Salvation Army’. She rebelled by reading novels and attending movies. Aimee Semple McPherson (nee Aimee Elizabeth Kennedy) married twice. Aged 17 she married an Irish Pentecostal missionary evangelist Robert J. Semple. They went to China as evangelists. They both caught malaria and Robert died in Hong Kong. A month later she gave birth to Roberta Star. In 1912, while working with her mother and the Salvation Army, she met and married accountant Harold Steward McPherson. After having given birth to Rolf McPherson she felt a sudden calling to preach the Gospel. In 1915 she ran out on him taking the children with her. 1915 was when Aimee gave her first official sermon. it happened at Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada. Right from the start she worked in spiritual healing and encourages speaking in tongues. Under her mother’s management she travelled through the USA and other countries. In 1918 she made her headquarters in Los Angeles. For almost 20 years she preached to large audiences in the Angelus Temple built for her by her followers at a cost of $1.5 million. In 1923 she founded there the The Foursquare Church (Jesus Christ, the saviour, baptizer, Healer, Coming King), seating 5,300 people in Echo Park. She also built what is now known as Life Pacific University close by. She was a flamboyant celebrity in her day, participating in publicity events, such as weekly Sunday parades through the streets of Los Angeles, along with the mayor and movie stars, directly to Angelus Temple. Aimee preached every night at the temple and Sunday services were attended by 1000s of worshipers who were spell bound throughout by extravaganzas that included patriotic and quasi- religious music played by a 50 piece band, prayers and singing all climaxed by a dramatic sermon. Her style was light hearted and whimsical at times, yet she spoke and sang with power and passion. In 1922, In San Diego, more than 30,000 turned up for one of her events. The temple radio station broadcast her services. She published magazines… In May 1926 she disappeared for 5 weeks. The newspapers had a field month putting forward theories and rumors. When she reappeared in Agua Prieta, Sonora, a Mexican town she claimed she had been kidnapped. A judge thought there was enough to charge her but the trial , scheduled for January 1927 never happened.The kidnapping was never solved. In the Service of the King: The Story of my Life is her account of the event She was mocked in the media for my years but the scandal did not diminish her popularity. In 1944 she died of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills. Rolf, her son, took over the reins. Sources Foursquare church Brtitannica wikipedia

Charles Edward Fuller was an American Baptist minister, a radio evangelist - known for his Old Fashioned Revival Hour and one of the co-founders of Fuller Theological Seminary. Charles was born in Los Angeles into a devout Methodist family. As a youth he showed little interest in religious matters. In 1910 he graduated from Pomona College as a chemist and married his high school sweetheart Grace Payton. Between 1910 and 1918 he worked in his father’s citrus packing business in California. He was converted in 1916, under the preaching of Paul Raderand and began to teach an adult Sunday school at Placentia Presbyterian Church in Ls Angeles. He then entered the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIAS) (now Biola University) -where he eventually became chairman. He was initially a Presbyterian but in 1925 he was ordained as a Baptist minister and pastored a group named Calvary church. He held revival meetings down the West Coast of the USA and soon began using radio as a method to get his message out. In 1928 he was drafted in by BIAS as vice-president to find a new dean and president. By 1930 he was regularly broadcasting Calvary Sunday school services as well as Bible programmes in the local area. In 1933 he resigned his pastorship because the time he spent on the radio was in conflict with the time he spent with his church.He formed a nonprofit Gospel Broadcasting Association to support hie radio evangelistic efforts. The Old Fashioned Revival Hour (TORH), (1937-68) a weekly Sunday broadcast. on which he acted as both host and speaker, gained him serious recognition. The first national broadcast was on the Mutual Broadcasting System on 3rd October 1937. The broadcasts were noted for the music, TORH choir, a quartet, an organist and pianist.Those who tuned in heard great hymns sung by a quartet followed by a short message from Charles. Aided by his wife Grace it created a family-like atmosphere . By 1942 he had attracted an audience of !0 million listeners worldwide.In 1951 the programme was carried by ABC Radio network on 650 radio stations. Since 2015 re-broadcasts of TORH are streamed weekly on the Internet. Charles with Harold Ockenga, the pastor of Park Street Church in Boston, founded the Fuller Theological Seminary in 1947. The founders sought to reform fundamentalism’s separatist and sometimes anti-intellectual stance during the1920s-40s. Charles envisaged the seminary would become a* Caltech of the evangelical world * His seminary work was incremental and thoughtful. Charles died on March 18th 1968 shortly after his last TORH. Kraphol and Lippy said his legacy was not appreciated at the time Yet, his organizational skill, his masterful use of the radio medium, his vision for Christian higher education and his willingness to moderate the more divisive aspects of his own fundamentalism background made him a significant force in the development of modern American evangelical ethos.

Jack Leo Van Impe was an American televangelist know for his 30 minute weekly series Jack Van Impe Presents , an eschatological commentary on the news of the week through an interpretation of the Bible. The program was aired both religious broadcasters and the purchasing of paid programming time on commercial television stations. jack was know as the Walking Bible having memorized most of the king James version of the Bible. His wife, Rexella, was co-host on the television ministry. His parents were Belgium immigrants who had moved to Troy. Michigan in 1929 two years before he was born on 9th February 1931. Jack and his father Oscar played the accordion at night clubs. They enjoyed drinking alcoholic beverages together - a European tradition. When Jack was 12, in 1943, both his father and mother, Marie Louise, experienced a conversion experience. A week later Jack walked to the front of church to profess his own faith. Father and son smashed all their bottles of alcoholic beverages. He never drank alcohol again. Oscar became a missionary with a very strong faith and Jack decided to be an evangelist. Together they played their accordions across Michigan and other states. In 1948 Jack graduated from school and entered Detroit Bible institute. He earned his diploma in 1952 and began his career as a preacher, evangelist and extensive recording career. He worked with the Billy Graham crusades. At a Youth for Christ rally with Chuck Ohman he met his future wife, Rexella Mae Shelton. They married on 21st August 1954. In the 1950s he released dozens of Gospel and spoken word recordings. His first album Presenting the Van Impes featured jack on the accordion and Rexelle on the organ. ( He later used an accorgan -a type of electronic accordion.) Together in 1970 they started Jack Van Impe Crusades Inc… They travelled the USA together, performing music and preaching in 130 cities in 10 years, For over 30 years Jack and Rexelle hosted Jack Van Impe Presents - a non profit organization. They offered eschatological (end times) commentary on current affairs he would recall Scripture on his show as he explained his apocalyptic theology before ending each episode with a call for viewers to prepare for the end by accepting Christ as their Lord and Saviour The television ministry, started in 1980, ran into financial trouble in 1984. It was relaunched in 1988 on TBN. In the new show Rexelle performed a piece of music, chatted with her husband, then Jack would bring up contemporary headlines and explain their prophetic significance. In the mid 1990s it was aired in about 25,000 cities in the USA, Canada and 150 other countries. In January 2017 Jack broke his hip. On 27th May 2017, taking doctor’s advice, the couple ended their TV ministries. Jack, a popular televangelist and one of the world’s best known end times preacher, died at the age of 88 on 18th January this year 2020. Sources Home - JVIM The New York Times wikipedia

Christine Caine and her husband Nick are best known for founding The A21 Campaign in 2008 - the global anti-trafficking organization. In 2015 they founded the Propel Women organization designed to honour the calling of every woman, enpower her to lead, equip her for success and develop a sense of God given purpose. EMPOWER, EQUIP, MOBILIZE Christine is an Australian born , Greek blooded, lover of Jesus, author and international speaker. She was adopted at birth by Greek Orthodox Immigrants who raised her in a public commission housing in Lalor Park, New South Wales. She has a degree in English from the University of Sydney and she attended and graduated from Hillsong College in1992. Her passion is to fulfill Christ’s command of going into the world to save others. On leaving college she volunteered as a youth worker and help establish Hills District Youth Service. She went onto become the director of a nationwide youth ministry. Christine and her husband Nick have a passion for justice and together they founded the A21 campaign in 2008. A21 is a non-profit, non-government organization which fights to** abolish slavery everywhere , for ever,** Christine apparently is a lover of words - she speaks too fast, talks too much and also writes them down (See list of works) She is active in speaking about her passion for God. She speaks in churches, conferences and other events across the world. Nick, who she married in 1996, is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of A21 and pastor of Zoe Churches. A21 has now 10 or 12 offices in 11 countries. He is also the pastor and director of Equip & Empower Ministries He assists in church plants, trains leaders and helps the lost come to Christ. Together they are a powerful couple striving to eradicate slavery, give women equal rights and bring non-Christians to know Jesus.

William Samuel Winston. also known as Dr. Bill Winston or Bill Winston is an American televangelist, preacher, author and entrepreneur. He is the founder and senior pastor of Living Word Christian Center, a non-denominational church in Forest park, Illinois with over 20,000 members. He is also the founder of Bill Winston Ministries (BWM), Faith Ministries Alliance (FMA), Bible Training Center,Joseph Business School and The Joseph Center. Bill was born on 6th May 1943 and raised in Tuskegee. He says he was inspired by the Tuckegee airmen and other local aviators. In 1967 he graduated from the Tuskee Institute and enlisted in the US Air Force (1967-73). He served as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after he piloted an F-4E Phantom that struck anti-aircraft batteries deep within North Vietnamese territory in March 1971. In 1973 he joined IBM Corporation. He soon became Regional marketing manager in the Midwest region (1973-85). While at IBM he met and married Veronica Irene Brown in 1982. He was also ‘born again’ while at IBM and felt a call into full time ministry and left to attend Logos Bible School. (Briefly attended Oral Roberts University in 1996) In 1988, while living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, they started a small ministry. They travelled to Chicago every week-end to sponsor a 2 day crusade- attendance less than 20. They moved to Chicago in December. He began a Bible training school at the local Quality Inn Hotel. 1989 the school was called Living Word Church of Chicago. 1990 renamed Living Word Christian Center. Bill and Veronica were both preachers and authors. She was also a teacher and intercessor. 1994-7 they rented a space at a banquet hall in Forest park, Illinois The ministry grew (exploded) and they then purchased the Forest Park Mall - a 33 acre shopping mall. New Year’s Eve of 1997 they had their first worship service. The church today has now expanded into a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art worship center with over 20,000 members. 20 to 20,000 that’s an explosion. Bill’s teachings, writings, weekly television and radio programs are circulated through his ministry outreach - Bill Winston Ministries - a partnership based global outreach. They are aired by hisBeliever’s Walk of Faith television and radio programs on the God TV and the Impact Network. His audience, worldwide is millions. His sermons are aired on several radio networks within the USA. He has written, authored and self published 15 books and other material. Veronica, his wife, is a leader of the Living World Christian Center. They have 3 children and 8 grand children. He has 882 inter/national churches and ministries through FMA under his spiritual covering. His ministry owns 2 shopping malls. He is founder and CEO of Golden Eagle Aviation based in Tuskegee. Together they have built up a wonderful, Holy Spirit led, ministry. Sources used Bill Winston Ministries Wikipedia

Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Crux Villanueva, often referred to as 'Bro. Eddie Villanueva, is an evangelist and president- founder of one of the largest Christ-centers, Bible based, full gospel churches in the world Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide. (JILCW) 1978 He is the founder of the Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM) which has more than 40 bishops from different Christian churches nationwide as members. He is founder and owner of Jesus is Lord Colleges Foundation, Inc. (JIKCF). He owns the ZOE television and radio Broadcasting Network - he hosts 3 of the programs Eduardo has also been a presidential candidate for the Philippines elections in 2004 and 2010. He currently a member of the 18th Congress of the Philippines and deputy speaker of the House of representatives since 22nd July 2019. Eduarda was born on 5th October 1946 in Bocaue, the Philippines. In 1969 he graduated from Philippine College of Commerce (PCC) (now called Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)) with a degree in commerce, majoring in economics. In the 1970s he was immersed in both student and labour movements, joining the progressive segments of society which opposed Marcos’ dictatorship. He was a communist-athiest, radical activist and street parliamentarian. He worked as a full time member in the Economics and Finance Department of PCC until 1972. He was export manager of Maran Export Industries (1973). He was general manager of the Agape trading Co. (1976/7). He returned to PUP in 1978 as a part time professor. In 1973 he had a life changing encounter with the Lord. At the time he was involved with a protracted legal battle - he was the victim of a notorious land grabbing syndicate. 5 days after the encounter the land grabbers were arrested and detained. On 5th October 1978 he founded the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide (JILCW) formerly known as Jesus Is Lord Fellowship - which had 15 members from his Bible studies. Jesus is Lord (JIL) in 2007 stated it had over 5 million members today in 18 cities in Metro Manila, 80 provinces in the Philippines and 6o countries in the world. Most members abroad are overseas Filipino workers and their families. Eduardo has been awarded numerous awards for his ministry. He was conferred the office of Episcopacy by the Sectarian Body of Christ in the Philippines in April 1996. Two months later he received the Gintong Ama (Golden Father) award. Eduardo was married to Sister Adoracion ‘Dory’ Villaneva who died on 10th March 2020 . Sister Dory had been the loving mother of their 4 children, she had also been president of JILCF Christian school in Bocaue. Sister Dory helped Brother Eddie grow the religious group which has now over 6 million members in 44 countries. Sister Dory Villanueva dies at 73 Sources used Jesus Is Lord Sister Dory dies at 73 wikipedia

Edwin Barry ‘Ed’ Young is the founding and senior pastor of Fellowship Church, Grapevine. Texas. His wife, Lisa, is also an important member of the team, working with the women. They are both best selling authors. Ed, born 16th March 1961, received a basketball scholarship at Florida State University (FSU). After his second year, having received a call into the ministry, he transferred to Houston Baptist University where he received a bachelor’s degree. He then earned MD degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Lisa has a degree in Childhood Education Ed began his ministry during hie second year at FSU. He soon returned to Houston Texas to work as an associate pastor at his father’s Second Baptist Church February 1990 Ed began Fellowship Church (FC) in a rented office complex. He quickly moved to an arts center. In 1996 FC moved into Irving’s MacArthur High School - 5 weekly services and a weekly attendance of 5,000. FC opened its first permanent facility in Grapevine Texas in April 1998. It was initially known as Fellowship of Las Colinas. The site was larger and more expensive than what they wanted but within 2 years part of it was sold off ((debt- purchase =0 debt). (Read - History of Fellowship Church) In 2020 the weekly attendance was 24,162. In 2003 or 5 FC opened its first 2 satellite stations in Plano and Fort Worth. Other campuses have been added over the years. All the campuses act as an extension of FC. They all have live music and their own staff, all sermons are broadcast from the Grapevine campus. (Read Satellite locations Television plays a very important part. He has an international ministry that includes the television broadcasts , *Ed Young Television, C3 Global, the C3 Conference and Fellowship Live. * Both Ed and Lisa have written a number of books. They co-authored the New York Times Best seller Sexperiment: 7days to Lasting Intimacy with Your Spouse. Ed wrote The Fear Virus (2020) OUTREACH 2008 hosted 1st summer camp and retreat center in Hawkins. TX at Allaso Ranch In 2010 FC and C3 Global provided 11 million meals after the earthquake hit Haiti In August 2013 FC opened a leadership college - University of Next Level. In 2016 they opened its first prison campus with* God Behind Bars.* Ed and Lisa are involved in C3 Global (Read Church Growth -their vision 2017). 2017 FC helped with relief recovery after Hurricane Harvey . Fellowship Church, under the leadership of pastor Ed Young, ably supported by his wife, Lisa, and notable guest speakers, has been constantly ranked as one of the most attended churches in North America over the past decade. Ed has a passion for making the complex simple, as he speaks truth to people in ways they can understand and apply to their everyday lives. Sources used My C3 Global TBN Wikipedia - Ed and Lisa Young, Fellowship Church

Dr. H. Edwin Young, often called Ed Young, is the senior pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Pioneer of the multisite church. Broadcasting ministry is The Winning Walk. In 2016 launched Loving Kids with Bishop James Dixon, in Houston. Ed was born in Laurel, Jones County, southeastern Mississippi.His family was so poor he had no shoes until in third grade. He entered the university of Alabama with an engineering major. Half way through his freshman year he felt a call to the ministry and enrolled at Mississippi College in Clinton. He then went to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, Carolina. Ed was a pastor in both North and South Carolina until 1978. In 1978 he moved to his present church - South Baptist Houston. The average attendance grew from 500 to over 32,000 today, with a membership of 83,000. This happened though innovation and creativity. In 1999 South Baptist became one church on 2 locations… It has 6 campuses in the Houston Metropolitan area. In January 2017 it created a virtual online campus - each week’s sermon is streamed daily throughout the world The Winning Walk is his international on-air and online teaching ministry. It proclaims the proven truth of God’s Word to give men and women the world over a winning way to live life. In 2016 he became involved in the ’ Loving Kids ’ program -the idea is to support children from a predominately low income area of Acres Homes with mentors, tutors and teaching assistants in the hope is it will make a dramatic difference to the lives of children and families for years. In addition on the church campuses they host over 8,000 of Houston’s lowest income families - Angels of Light. The families receive help with groceries. clothing, toys and Christmas presents. He has also been involved with relief work. He has instrumental in in the creation and organization of helping with storms, hurricanes and the present COVID -19 pandemic. Ed has twice been elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention - 1992 and 1993. Over the years he has required heart surgery - 1988 he had angioplasty to open a clogged heart artery. -May 2010 he had an operation to fit a triple coronary bypass. In 2005 he wrote* Total Heart Health for Men Workbook * which looked at methods of reducing the risk . He has written several other books For over 40 years Dr. H. Edwin Young he has been the senior pastor at Second Baptist Church, Houston, Texas. He continues to a dynamic and gifted communicator. He is a much sought after speaker on church growth, leadership principles and moral issues facing today’s culture. ( See - Senate Bill 6 -the bathroom bill) He and his wife, Jo Beth, have 3 sons Edwin Barry, Ben and Cliff. All 3 are involved in the ministry. ( For more information on Edwin read separate entry Ed Young) Sources used daystar.com Urban Weekly Newspaper Publication Website Wikipedia

James Robison is an American Televangelist and the founder and president of the Christian relief organization- Life Outreach International. James, with his wife Betty, now host the daily television program LIFE Today. James was born and raised in Pasadena, Texas. His mother, Myra Wattinger, was raped. She wanted an abortion: the doctor refused. She put an ad in the paper for a Christian couple to adopt him. H.D. Hale, a local area pastor and his wife, raised James. The mother reclaimed James and he was brought up in poverty. Aged 14 he became a born again Christian. He had a strained relationship with his biological father who an alcoholic He confronted his father, aged 15, in a violent manner. While at Pasadena High School he met Betty Freeman. Rev.Hale married them on 23rd February 1963, they were both 19. Together they studied and in 1965 graduated with honours from Middle Tennessee State University. They started their ministry in 1965 together,. In 1968, through Billy Graham, they went into full time television ministry. James invitations to speak increased . The crowds grew into millions Crusades were held in stadiums… In 1979 James lost his regular slot on WFAA-TV in Dallas for preaching a sermon calling homosexuality a sin. In response he organized a Freedom Rally at the Dallas Convention Center -10,000 attended. This was a genesis , according to Mike Huckabee, for Moral Majority - an association with conservative Christians supporting Republican candidates. (See definition of Moral Majority) In the early 1980s he eventually rose to become a prominent and popular conservative religious leader. Mid 1980s he abruptly withdrew from political activities and focused on his own church community, church unity and seeking forgiveness. He did not like the person he had become. Betty agreed. Through a series of life altering events they began to experience a new level of spiritual freedom. God provide them an opportunity to minister in South Africa LIFE Today TV program LIFE Today is aired around on various television networks, both secular and Christian such as Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and Daystar. Today It features real stories where ministry partners and a wide range of personalities tell of their own conversion and faith impacts their lives and the lives of others. They are able to share their vision to reach impoverished children by meeting their basic needs of food, clean water, shelter, clothing and medical care and most importantly the love of Christ. Their regular church is Gateway,a DFW (non- denominational) megachurch pastored by Robert Morris. Today James and Betty have 3 children, 11 grandchildren and live in Fort Worth. This is where their program LIFE Today and their ministry LIFE Outreach are based. They lost their daughter Robin to throat cancer in 2012. Sources used LIFE Outreach International Wikipedia