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

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

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

Douglas Roger Scott (1900-1967) was an English Revival preacher and evangelist who devoted most of his ministry to France. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of the Pentecostal movement in France and the main founder of the Assemblies of God in France. He was born in Essex. Douglas experienced a conversion/new birth during an evangelistic meeting organised on Whitecross Street in London. From 1925 he devoted a large part of his time proclaiming the gospel in public meetings.He based hie message on the 4 pillars of Elim Pentecostalism - Jesus saves, heals, baptizes and will return. He became an itinerant preacher in Essex and founded an Elim Pentecostal church in London with another pastor. He considers going to the Belgian Congo as an evangelist. William Burton advises him to go to France to learn French. In 1927 he goes to Le Harve in France after receiving an invitation from Helene Biolley 1854-1947), of Swiss origin, who runs an non-alcoholic bar, the Ruban Bleu . Helene had been praying for 20 years that God would send missionaries to France. In her 70s her prayers were answered. He prayed and preached with power and several people were miraculously healed. Helena asked him to devote 6 months at her mission before going to the Congo. he agreed and returned to Le Havre in 1930. He ultimately devoted the rest of his life (37 years) to spreading the gospel across France. He sparked a significant pentecostal revival and helped bring cohesiveness to the movement through the organisaion of the Assembly of God of France in 1932. Douglas, with his family, did get to the Belgian Congo in 1939. He preached in only French and Swahili. Returned to G.b in Autumn 1946. Douglas also went to Algeria. he went for the second time in the early 1950s. He returned to France where he continue his work of evangelization and edification in the established Pentecostal churches. He also went overseas. By 1965 he had heart problems but refused to retire. He continued to preach twice a day, every day. Douglas died in Chalon-sur-Saone on 15th April 1967, aged 66. Sources Assemblies of God Douglas Scott (evangeliste) Helene Biolley

Andrew van der Bijl or Brother Andrew is a Christian missionary from Sint Paneras, the Netherlands. He founded Open Doors in 1955 which is noted for smuggling Bibles into Communist countries. He earned the name God’s Smuggler -the title of his 1967 book. he is known for having prayed Lord, make seeing eyes blind when stopped at the border of a communist country for his car to be inspected. Andrew was born on the11th May 1928 in Sint Paneras. He was the fourth of 6 children. His father was a poor, near deaf blacksmith and his mother was an invalid. In the 1940s he enlisted in the colonial army of the Dutch East Indies during the rebellion that would eventually form Indonesia. He was wounded in the ankle and during rehabilitation read the Bible obsessively, eventually converting to Christianity. He studied at the WEC Missionary training College in Glasgow. July 1955 visited Communist Poland to find out about the underground church. To do this he had to go on a government controlled tour. He felt he had to respond to the Biblical Commission *Wake up, strengthen what remains and is about to die ( Revelation ch3 v2) In 1957 he travelled to Moscow. He started to smuggle Bibles into Communist countries in a blue Volkswagen Beetle. He prayed and left them deliberately in full view. This was a fulfillment of child’s dream of *derring-do . The work of Open Doors continued to expand as it extended its network throughout Eastern Europe and Soviet Union. (Read ‘Brother Andrew’s Story’ crossing into Romania.) In the 1960s he visited China, Czechoslovakia and Cuba. In 1967 published first edition of God’s Smugglers. By 2002 over 10 million were sold, ( See Bridge Books for special 60th anniversary edition of first trip.) 1970s visited war torn Lebanon. In 1990s travelled several times to the Middle East - Lebanon and Israel Brother Andrew has written 10 books. He is now in his 90s. Is he still smuggling?

Mary Moffat Livingstone was the wife of David Livingstone the missionary and explorer. In the history books she has been forgotten They said he had three wives - the river Nile,the struggle against slavery and religion. In the article in the Daily Mail Mrs Livingstone i Presume written by Jane Fryer she looks at the life of his real wife. She was strong, educated, fearless and spoke 6 African languages. She was the daughter of missionaries and was renowned in South Africa. . It was Mary who opened doors in remote parts of Africa for her singularly driven husband with her languages and connections. Tribal leaders would insist on addressing her first. Together they crossed the Kalshari desert surviving on biscuit and beans. They survived an entire week without water. She endured appalling hardship, long separations, a sporadic paralysis caused by a post natal stroke after her fourth child Elizabeth was born in the bush and the final battle aged 41 with malaria. Mary and David met when he was recovering from being bitten by a lion. Within weeks his life long vow to marry ‘went up in smoke’. They married in 1845. In 7 years they built their own house, created 3 mission stations from scratch and weathered 2 years of drought. In 1849, with 3 children and Mary pregnant they started a 1,500 mile trek across the Kalahari desert. Read the full article by Jane Fryer. Visit in July (2021) the revamped (9.1 million) David Livingstone museum In Lanarkshire where finally Mary’s contribution will finally be given due credit They obviously loved each other. He just loved exploration and adventure a bit more. Sources Daily Mail Wikipedia

Dr. Charles Stewart Thompson (1851-1900 was the first medical missionary to Kherwara Chhaoniin Rajputana, the Bhils region of Central India. His schools, famine relief centres and medical service transformed care in the region. He was accepted as a missionary by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) and in June 1880 he was ordained a deacon, in October ordained as a priest He was a doctor, reverend, translator and philanthropist who worked to treat cholera. leprosy, the Bubonic plague, ophthalmia, malaria rheumatism and fever. It took him nearly 10 years to achieve his first convert. It was said that many of his Bhil students were Christian at heart but none had the courage to be baptized for fear of social ostracism. On 15th December 1889 Sukha Damor, his wife and their 4 children were baptized. Others followed. He eventually pioneered Christianity in 7 districts. In 1896, after 15 years, he took a furlough. He had established primary schools, dispensaries, relief centres and orphanages. He had also translated and published the Gospel, the first grammar and vocabulary book and a prayer book into the Bhili language. While in the UK he desperately attempted to persuade the CMS to send more doctors and nurses. In 1899 he heard about the terrible Chappania Famine afflicting the Bhil region. and returned to India. The men had fled leaving only women and children who were starving. He took matters into his own hands -he set up 7 relief centres - feeding 700 Bhili children and some adults. He set up an orphanage. By April 1900 he had opened 15 relief centres and was feeding 5,500 children, twice daily who would have been either dead or starving. In May 1900 he fell ill with cholera. The Bhil people tried to get him European Aid. He died on May 19th at noon, under a tree. On his death he became a source of inspiration. He was acclaimed as the founding father who had laid down his life for the salvation of the Bhil. Many volunteers came forward to help with the Bhil mission. In Kherwara there is school named in his memory - The Thompson Memorial School. Charles spent nearly 20 years living, working, and ultimately dedicating his life to the plight of the Bhils.

Alcuin, also known as Ealhwine, Alhwin or Alchoin was a scholar, poet and teacher from York, Northumbria. He became the student of Archbishop Ecgbert. He was a court chancellor in Aachen. At the invitation of Charlemagne he became a leading scholar and teacher at the Carolingian court in France. H e graduated to become a teacher during the 750s. He became the head at York school (now St.Peter’s) where he revived trivium (grammar/rhetoric/logic) and quadrivium disciplines and wrote a codex on the trivium. He became a deacon but was never ordained. In 781 he was sent to Rome by King Elfwald. On his way home he met Charlemagne. who persuaded him to join his court. He joined an illustrious group of scholars. He later wrote the Lord was calling me to the service of King Charles. He became master of the Palace School of Charlemagne. He taught Charlemagne (782-790), his sons Pepin and Louis as well as young men sent to be educated at court and young clerics attached to the palace. He brought with him his assistants from York and revolutionised the educational standards of the school. It became known as the school of Master Albinus (Alcuin’s nickname) In 790 he returned to York for a short time. He failed to influence King AEtheired so he returned to the Carolingian court. He never went back to York , In 796, now in his 60’s, he hoped to retire from court instead Marmoutier Abbey was put into his care by Charlemagne - who could call on him for advice. Alcuin encouraged the monks there to use beautiful Carolingian minuscule script. Carolingian minuscule - using a mixture of upper and lower-case letters - was perfected and restored to purity of the form. by Alcuin. He stayed at the abbey until his death on 19th May 804. According to Einhard’s* Life of Charlemagne* he was considered among the most important intellectual architects of the Carolingian Renaissance. Source Wikipedia

Alan of Lille was a French theologian and poet. He is sometimes called Alanus de Montepessulano. He was born in Lille sometime before 1128. His exact date of his death is also unclear - research suggests between 14 April 1202 and 5 April 1203. Although he was widely known during his lifetime there is not a great deal known about his personal life. He had a very widespread reputation during his lifetime and his knowledge caused him to be called Doctor Universalis. As a theologian he was opposed to scholasticism in the second half of the 12th century. He claimed in order to understand religious truth and to know God,the wise must believe in faith. His philosophy was a mixture of Aristotelian logic and Neoplatonic philosophy. The is a long list of works attributed to him (See List of known works) but there are several Alains so it is uncertain how many of the works listed are actually his. Notable works actually written by him include*The Plaint of Nature, Anticlaudiamus and the Art of Preaching. Source Wikipedia

Albert of Cologne ( known under 3 names) was a German Dominican friar, philosopher, scientist and bishop. An encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary convinced him to enter Holy Orders. In 1223 or 1229 and he became a member of the Dominican Order. He lectured in Cologne, Regensburg, Freiburg, Strasburg and Hildesheim. He became a full time professor at th e University of Paris holding the seat of the Chair of Theology at the college of St. James. Thomas Aquinas was one of his students. In 1254 he was made provincial of the Dominican Order and fulfilled the duties of the office with great care and efficiency. In 1258 he sorted out the* der Grofie Schied*- the big verdict- to sort out the conflict between the citizens of Cologne and the archbishop. In 1260 Pope Alexander IV made him bishop of Rogensburg. To enhance his reputation for humility, and in accord with the dictates of the his Order, he refused to ride a horse, he walked his huge diocese on foot. In 1263 Pope Urban IV asked him to preach the eighth Crusade in German speaking countries. He became known as a mediator between conflicting parties. He founded Cologne University, German’s oldest university. In 1274 he grieved when his former student Thomas Aquinas died. In 1278 he became ill and died on 15th November 1280. He was possibly 87 when he died. During his life time he studied many different subjects. For the breadth of his achievements he was bestowed the name Doctor Universalis. His knowledge of natural science was considerable for the age and remarkably accurate. In 1899 his writing were collected and went to 38 volumes. Scholars have referred to Albert as the greatest German philosopher and theologian of the Middle Ages. In 1931 the Catholic Church distinguished him as one of the 37 Doctors of the Church ). Source Wikipedia

John Alcock was born in Beverley, Yorkshire.and educated at Cambridge University. His greatest achievement was the building of Jesus College, Cambridge which he established on the site of the former Convent of St. Radegund. He made a rapid rise in both the church and the state. 1461 he was made dean of St. Stephen’s Chapel , Westminster. 1462 was made Master of the Rolls. 1470 he was sent as ambassador to the Crown Court of Castile. 1472 8th January, nominated to see at Rochester 15th March, consecrated Bishop of Rochester 1476 15th July, transferred to see of Worcester 1486 6th October, moved to see at Ely H e was the first president of the Council of the Marches in Wales from 1473-1500. H e was Lord Chancellor twice in 1475 and 1485/7. On 7th November 1485 he opened King Henry VII’s Parliament. He was also tutor to Edward V. John was one of the leading pre-Reformation divines. He was a a man of deep learning and had great proficiency restoring many churches and colleges as an architect. Source Wikipedia

Jacob Knapp was a popular Baptist preacher of the 19th century. In 1821 he entered a theological college at Hamilton, New York (now Colgate University) He began active work at the Baptist church in Springfield, New York and managed a farm. He moved to Watertown where he became both pastor and manager of a large farm. In 1832 he experienced a deeper religious impression which he called his second conversion. He applied to the New York Sate Baptist convention to become a missionary. They hesitated and he began preaching as an evangelist on his own responsibility. He preached at first in school houses and obscure churches but he was soon sought after by larger churches and distinguished parsons. In Baltimore, Boston and New York vast numbers attended his preaching to the extent protection by the civil authorities was necessary. His preaching was stern and terrible, yet cultivated. 1000s believed they were converted under his ministry. In 1845 he published a collection of hymns The Evangelical Harp: A new Collection of Hymns and Tunes Designed for Revivals of Religion and For Family and Social Worship Jacob lived to the age of 74; he died on 2nd March 1874. During his lifetime 1000s had heard him preach and many were converted.

Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter II (1935-2009) better known as Reverend Ike was an American minister and evangelist based in New York . His ministry reached its peak in the mid 1970s when his weekly radio sermons were carried by 100s of stations across the USA… He was famous for his ‘Blessing Plan’- radio listeners sent him money and in return he blessed them. He bought in 1969 for more than $500,000 the Loew’s 175th Street Theatre movie palace. It was known locally as Reverend Ike’s Prayer Tower. He had it fully restored and decorated luxuriously. In 2016 it was designated as a landmark by the New York City Landmark Commission. His preaching was considered a form of new-age theology. He diverged from traditional Christian theology and taught what he calledScience of Living**.

Graeme Goldsworthy (born 1934) is an Australian evangelical theologian specialising in the O.T and Biblical theology. Graeme has been influential across the world but especially in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney where his work has been crucial for shaping how Sydney Australians think about and preach from the Bible. His most significant work is a trilogy Gospel and Kingdom, Gospel and Wisdom,and The Gospel in Revelation (See ‘Works’ for full list)

Bro. Daniel S. Razon (born 1967) acts as the Assistant Overall Servant of the Members Church of God International (MCGI) (1997 to present). He is also a broadcast journalist and prominent television and radio personality. He is fondly known as ‘Kuya Daniel’ and ‘.Public Service’ for the works and iinnovations he has pioneered that are centred on helping the public . He was born in Bulacan, Philippines. He once aspired to become a doctor but took up Mass Communications in college as advised by Bro. Eli - who took to preaching The Old Path on the radio and television. The Old Path is recognized as the longest religious programme in the Philippines. He assists Bro. Eli in leading the activities and propagation endeavours of the church as well as to attend to the overall spiritual, physical and mental welfare of the brethren. He has pioneered many oF MCGI’s existing organizations and ministries. He co-founded Bible Readers Society International. He spearheaded Worldwide Bible Expositions.

Douglas Coe (1928-2017) was an American ordained ruling elder and lay minister in the Presbyterian Church USA. He was the associate director of The Fellowship (also known as family of friends in Christ, the Prayer Breakfast groups) He was reluctant to speak in public and routinely denied requests for interviews and speeches to large audiences. He met and worked for Abraham Vereide, a Norwegian methodist evangelist and founder of International Christian Leadership (ICI). He was fascinated by his visionary communication of a leadership led by God, empowered by his Spirit. and became his assistant director. Douglas was mentored by the young Billy Graham. The Fellowship was a behind the scenes player at the Camp David Accords in 1978. In March 2009 he was a featured speaker at the Idaho State Prayer Breakfast. The extent of Douglas’s influence in American politics is a subject of debate. In 2005 Douglas was named as one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in the USA by Time magazine. Douglas died, aged 88, in Annapolis, Maryland on 21st February 2017 from complications of heart attack.

Daniel Chad is a British evangelist from London, UK. He was born in Bedford. Before he became a Christian he was an amateur boxer who lived a life of addiction, violence and negativity and was on course for an 8 year prison sentence. It was through this desperation that Daniel was told about Jesus. The love of God broke into his life and this led to a powerful conversion. Not long after his salvation he began to pray and heal people on the streets. People surrendered their lives to Jesus in shopping centres, churches and in hospitals. He graduated from the Reinhard Bonke School of Evangelism and was catapulted into the ministry at the age of 21. He has preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ iN the UK, Poland, Pakistan, Austria, Abu Dhabi, Germany and many more. He has appeared on TV - Revelation TV and the God TV. He is well known due to his evangelism and healing ministry videos.

Bayless Conley is an American gospel pastor and television personality who hosts Answers With Bayless Conleyon T.V… He says he found God 35 years ago through a 12 year old Christian boy. The Answers programme can be heard weekly on CNBC in Europe, North Africa, in the Middle East. in Mexico on Genesis T.V.and on other local channels. He has also founded Cottonwood Church In January 2014 he was hospitalized after a boating accident but has since recovered and returned to ministry.

Ethiopians around the world celebrate the baptism of Jesus with the feast of Timkat - celebrations are spread over 3 Days. it involves processions, singing and dancing. On the 19th/20th (leap year) January is the most important day when the blessing of water and reaffirming of baptism vows take place.

Gary R. Hall was the 10th dean of Washington National Cathedral (2012-2015) He was born in Los Angeles. He holds an A.B. from UC-Berkeley and a Ph.D from UCLA, plus a M. Div from episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge. He has been an ordained minister for more than 35 years. He served several parishes in the USA . The congregations he served included All Saints Pasadena where he was senior clergy associate for education for 11 years. He taught Anglican theology and Polity at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont. He was both dean and president at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston (2005-10). Before he became dean at Washington National Cathedral he was the rector of Christ Church Cranbrook. When he arrived he was told $50 milion was needed for quake damage and long term financial stability. He was known as a fix-up man. He raised the cathedral’s profile with his outspoken and steady public comments on things like race, transgender rights and gun control. He said later the place needed to raise $50 million, a decade, over the next 30 years to be sustainable. He currently serves as the National Cathedral’s chief ecclesiastical leader and executive officer, working closely with the bishop of Washington and governing bodies to shape and support ministries in the city of Washington,the nation and the world.