Summer 2004 Rapport: AGTS News

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AGTS Hosts Book Signing

AGTS hosted a book signing during an Alumni Open House the morning of May 1, prior to Commencement. AGTS Professors Gary B. McGee and Barbara Cavaness (right) were there along with Board Member Deborah Gill (left) to sign copies of their recently authored books.

Dr. Gill, national A/G commissioner on discipleship, recently joined with Dr. Cavaness, visiting professor of missions, to write God’s Women: Then and Now (Grace and Truth, March 2004), a book that explores the biblical viewpoint of women in ministry.

Dr. McGee, professor of Church history and Pentecostal studies, has written People of the Spirit: The Assemblies of God (Gospel Publishing House, May 2004). He has also coauthored Introducing World Missions with Scott Moreau and Gary Corwin (Baker, January 2004).

President Klaus Speaks at Oxford World Mission Briefing

AGTS President Byron D. Klaus spoke at the Oxford World Mission Briefing, May 18-20, 2004, Oxford, England. Dr. Klaus joined leaders from around the world for this briefing which focused on “Leadership Development for World Christianity: The Growing Church and Its Needs.” He spoke on the topic “The Church in the U.S.A.: Divisions, Decisions and Direction.”

“The Oxford Centre for Mission Studies is the premier center for evangelical missiology done by two-thirds world leaders,” said President Klaus. “The opportunity to be in the same forum with these world-class missiologists was truly an honor and incredibly stimulating.”

Thank You, Dr. Bradford!

Dr. Mark Bradford, AGTS director of counseling programs, tendered his resignation after the spring 2004 semester in order to devote more time to his family and professional practice. We will miss Dr. Bradford greatly and appreciate his seven years of devoted service. Under his leadership, our counseling program has gained great respect throughout the local community.

Dr. Melody Palm will serve as interim director of the counseling program for the upcoming year. Dr. Bradford will continue in relationship with AGTS as an adjunct professor.

Anthony Palma–Named Professor Emeritus

Dr. Anthony D. Palma was named professor of New Testament emeritus during Commencement, May 1. His relationship with AGTS began the year AGTS opened its doors (1973), when he taught New Testament, Greek and theology. He went on to serve AGTS in the following capacities:

• academic dean of the Theology Division (1974-1980),
• Biblical Studies Department chairman and professor of biblical studies and theology (1980-1981),
• vice president for academic affairs (1981-1986) and
• adjunct professor (1986-present).

He is a former president of the Society for Pentecostal Studies and has written four books, including The Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Perspective.

“There are many talented NewTestament scholars in the A/G, but no one has had more affect on the way our fellowship reads the New Testament than Dr. Palma,” said Academic Dean Joe Castleberry, who presented the award to Palma. “His career set a high standard for A/G higher education, and his book on New Testament pneumatology is a classic that will survive long into the future.”

Pentecostal Scholars Gather at AGTS

On April 16-17, the Resources for Advancing Pentecostal Studies conference convened at AGTS to honor Wayne Warner on the occasion of his approaching retirement as the director of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center (Assemblies of God [A/G] Archives). He has held this position since 1980.

The center, located in the A/G headquarters building, is one of the foremost archives for the study of Pentecostalism in North America. Warner is also the editor of the A/G Heritage magazine and has authored and edited numerous books dealing with Pentecostal history. A significant group of Pentecostal leaders and scholars gathered for the conference including:

• Edith Blumhofer (professor, Wheaton College)
• Stan Burgess (professor, Regent University)
• David Cole (president, Eugene Bible College)
• Deborah Gill (AGTS board member, A/G director of the Division of Christian Education, A/G commissioner on discipleship)
• Gary B. McGee (professor, AGTS)
• Mel Robeck (professor, Fuller Theological Seminary)
• Grant Wacker (professor, Duke Divinity School)
• George Wood (A/G general secretary)

This event was made possible through a grant (sponsored by Edith Blumhofer and Grant Wacker) from the Lilly Endowment. The proceedings will be published electronically by the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Religion at www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu.

Successful Conference of Value to Ministers and Churches

AGTS cosponsored the conference Growing and Leading the Large Pentecostal Church with First A/G, Ft. Myers, Fla. (Rev. Dan Betzer); Victory Church, Lakeland, Fla. (Rev. Wayne Blackburn); and Northland Cathedral, Kansas City, Mo. (Rev. Lowell Harrup) in March 2004. The conference offered networking opportunities and seminars by top leaders including Barry Meguiar, CEO of Meguiars, Inc., the world’s largest car-care product company.

One pastor said, “The [conference] was unbelievably timely and informative.” Another stated, “This has been the most valuable time I have spent in years.” All sessions are available in CD format and can be ordered at: www.aGts.edu/flconference.

AGTS Launches Online Journal

By Dr. Edgar Lee

This summer, AGTS will launch an exclusively online journal. Encounter: Journal for Pentecostal Ministry will reflect vital Pentecostal theology and serve pastors, chaplains, missionaries, counselors and others. Encounter will aim to bring the best of theology and theory to bear on practical and urgent issues of ministry. It will be a publication of the AGTS community including faculty, administration, board members, alumni, fellowship executives and other writers with fresh new insights. Watch for Encounter at www.encounterjournal.com.

AGTS Listed Among “Best Christian Places to Work” Again!

A survey sponsored by Christianity Today lists AGTS among the top four in the category for intitutions of higher education with fewer than 150 employees—for the second year in a row. See www.aGts.edu for more information.

Historic Pulpit Donated to AGTS

1998 alumnus and Pentecostal historian Darrin Rogers recently coordinated the donation of an historic pulpit to AGTS. This pulpit was originally located in Moorhead, Minnesota, at the Swedish Free Mission, which practiced speaking in tongues and healing as early as 1903.

John Thompson, pastor of the Swedish Free Mission and chairman of the Scandinavian Mission Society, preached Pentecost from this pulpit over 100 years ago. “Thompson joined with Norwegian immigrant Henry H. Ness in the late 1920s to help start the Assemblies of God (A/G) congregation in Fargo,” said Rogers. “Many of Thompson’s descendants went on to serve the A/G in ministry, including: Betty (Mrs. Philip) Wannenmacher, Doris (Mrs. David) Flower, Peter Thompson, John Thompson, Marion (Mrs. Robert) Perkin and Joy (Mrs. Keith) Sorbo.”

“The Moorhead congregation also yielded Mary Johnson, the earliest-known Pentecostal missionary from North America to venture overseas. In November 1904 Johnson experienced Spirit-baptism and the Society recognized her calling. Johnson set sail with partner in ministry Ida Anderson, arriving in Durban, South Africa, on January 16, 1905.”

A longtime member of Fargo First A/G, Evie McCann, rescued the pulpit when the former Swedish Free Mission building was being remodeled decades ago.

Updated: Wednesday, September 8, 2004 4:26 PM