Assemblies of God History: Early Beginnings

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Questions and Answers

What was the main challenge faced by the female missionaries?

Organizing work crews for the male counterparts

Fighting hunger, disease, poverty, and illiteracy (correct)

Establishing the first Assembly of God Clinic

Spreading the Bible teachings

Who served as the Community Development Officer in Tamale?

Elisha Akurugu

Rev. Fur Thomas

Winifred Mullings

Rev. Lloyd Shirer (correct)

What was the primary objective of the medical work among the Kokombas?

To establish more Bible Schools

To spread the Bible teachings

To provide medical help to the people (correct)

To organize work crews for the male counterparts

In which year was the first Assembly of God Clinic built in Saboba?

1948 Signup and view all the answers

Who was the leader of the first Bible School of Assemblies of God Ghana?

Rev. Fur Thomas Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the third Bible Institute established in Kumasi?

Mid Ghana Bible Institute Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the Statement of Fundamental Truths approved and adopted by the General Council?

1916 Signup and view all the answers

Who became the Dean of the Northern Ghana Bible Institute?

Winifred Mullings Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Assemblies of God ministries?

Evangelism, Missions, and Church Planting Signup and view all the answers

Where did the missionaries from Assemblies of God, U.S.A. initially cross over to in 1931?

Northern Region of Ghana Signup and view all the answers

In which year did the first graduates of the Bible School complete their Pastoral training?

1951 Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary emphasis of Charles Parham's Bible School in Topeka, Kansas?

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit as a key factor in one's walk of faith Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first Mamprusi Christian to be converted in 1939?

Bro. Mba Mahama Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the prayer meeting on January 1, 1901?

The students concluded that the Holy Spirit Baptism is expressed and evidenced by speaking in tongues Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the Assemblies of God aeroplane that landed in Accra in 1948?

Ambassador Signup and view all the answers

Where did the three-year revival meeting take place from 1906 to 1909?

The Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles Signup and view all the answers

When did the missionaries establish branches of the church at Tamale and Walewale?

1935 Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary preoccupation of the missionaries when they arrived in the Gold Coast?

Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ Signup and view all the answers

Who organized the gathering in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1914?

Eudorus N. Bell Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the gathering in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1914?

To discuss the growing need for doctrinal unity and other common goals Signup and view all the answers

How many countries does the Assemblies of God denomination have a presence in?

212 Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the gathering in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1914?

The formation of the General Council of the Assemblies of God Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is preserved in each congregation of the Assemblies of God denomination?

Self-governing and self-supporting entities Signup and view all the answers

What was the time period of the Azusa Street Mission revival meeting?

1906-1909 Signup and view all the answers

Who served as the first principal of the School in Saltpond?

David Vespa Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the book outlet established in 1980?

Ghana Literature Outlet Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the first edition of the magazine 'Ghana Evangel' published?

1959 Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the radio ministry started in 1968?

Bible Time Signup and view all the answers

Who translated the Dagomba version of the New Testament with Rev. and Mrs. H.S. Lehman?

Pastor Daniel Wumbee Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the distance learning program adopted by the Church in 1970?

International Correspondence Institute Signup and view all the answers

When was the Accra station of the Assemblies of God Church opened?

1944 Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of organizing Vacation Bible Schools?

To strengthen members in the faith Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early Beginnings in America

The Assemblies of God denomination has its roots in the religious revival of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Charles Parham, a prominent figure, started a Bible School in Topeka, Kansas, emphasizing the Baptism in the Holy Spirit as a key factor in one's walk of faith.
On January 1, 1901, Parham's students concluded that the Holy Spirit Baptism is expressed and evidenced by speaking in tongues.
The revival quickly spread to Missouri, Texas, California, and beyond, with the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles being a significant gathering point (1906-1909).
In 1914, Eudorus N. Bell organized a meeting in Hot Springs, Arkansas, leading to the formation of the General Council of the Assemblies of God.
The General Council united the assemblies in ministry and legal identity, yet preserving each congregation as self-governing and self-supporting.
In 1916, a Statement of Fundamental Truths was approved and adopted by the General Council, which remains virtually unchanged to this day.

History of Assemblies of God, Ghana

The Assemblies of God, Ghana is a member of the worldwide fellowship of Assemblies of God, spread across 212 countries.
Missionaries Rev. Lloyd and Margaret Shirer, from the USA, arrived in the Northern Region of Ghana (then Gold Coast) in 1931, establishing the first Assemblies of God congregation in Yendi.
Early missionaries, including Florence Blossom, Henry Garlock, Eric Johnson, and Thelma Godwin, worked under harsh conditions and hostile environments.
Branches of the church were established in Tamale (1935), Walewale (1935), and Bawku (1937).
Bro. Mba Mahama, a Mamprusi Christian, was converted in 1939.
The Assemblies of God aeroplane, 'Ambassador', arrived in Accra in 1948, bringing new missionaries to join the family.

Beginnings in the North

The missionaries focused on preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but soon realized they needed to address the needs of the people, including hunger, disease, poverty, and illiteracy.
Female missionaries organized literacy classes for indigenous women, while male missionaries taught local men skills like making swish blocks, door and window frames, and roof trusses.
Rev. Lloyd Shirer served as Community Development Officer in Tamale, and the missionaries recognized the need for medical work among the Konkomba tribe.
The first Assemblies of God Clinic was built in 1948 in Saboba, and the second in 1950 in Nakpanduri.
Later, a third Clinic (Maternity Clinic) functioned in Walewale.

Bible School and Growth

The first Bible School of Assemblies of God Ghana was opened in 1950 at Kumbungu, with Rev. Fur Thomas as the leader.
The first graduates of the School completed Pastoral training in 1951.
A second School, Southern Ghana Bible Institute, was opened in Kumasi and later moved to Saltpond.
In 1988, the Mid Ghana Bible Institute was established in Kumasi as the third Bible School.
The Andersons established the Assemblies of God Literature Centre (AGLC) in Accra in 1970, which catered to literature needs in the sub-region.
The Literature Centre published the first tentative Dagomba version of the New Testament in 1973.
The Church published the first edition of its magazine, "Ghana Evangel", in 1959.
A distance learning program, International Correspondence Institute (ICI), was adopted in 1970, now known as Global University.
The Church began a radio ministry, "BIBLE TIME", aired on G.B.C. in 1968.
Vacation Bible Schools were organized for students and members around 1959.
The church experienced growth in the south, with the establishment of Assemblies of God Churches in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi.

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Explore the roots of the Assemblies of God denomination in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including the Pentecostal movement and key figures like Charles Parham.