Church of God Heritage Exhibit Opens
Cleveland, TN–The Dixon Pentecostal Research Center opened a new Church of God Heritage Exhibit on Monday, October 22. “Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth: A Century of Church of God Education” traces the history of education in the Church of God from the January 1, 1918, establishment of Bible Training School, now Lee University, to today’s 35,000 students in 236 certified educational institutions around the world.
General Overseer A. J. Tomlinson proposed the Church of God’s first educational institution, Bible Training School, at the 1911 General Assembly. Sounding a theme echoed today in the FINISH Commitment, Tomlinson challenged the sixth Assembly to establish a preparatory school to prepare “eleventh hour workers” for the last-days harvest. Tomlinson boldly proposed, “It should be and is the business of the Church of God to hasten the gospel to every creature during our life-time.” Identifying the vital connection between evangelism and education, he concluded, “A few months training would be of great value to workers who have just enlisted in the service.”
Utilizing more than 150 photographs on 24 display panels the “Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth” exhibit explores BTS and development of Lee University; the Bible school movement including regional colleges such as Northwest Bible College, West Coast Christian College, and East Coast Bible College; international education; the Pentecostal Theological Seminary; Church of God Ministerial Development/School of Ministry; and USA Hispanic Educational Ministries.
The exhibit also includes eight display cases of artifacts and related objects. Among those is a diploma from the first Bible Training School commencement, the purchase deed for Bob Jones College, which is the core of today’s Lee University campus, 45rpm records produced by the Lee College’s Continental Recording label, and a brick from “Old Main,” dating back to the original Centenary College on the Lee University site. David “Gene” Mills, Jr. was the primary designer of the exhibit panels, and Mallory Wickam was the primary designer of the display cases.
Dr. Louis Morgan addresses attendees at the Heritage Exhibit grand opening (click photo to enlarge)
During the brief program at the exhibit opening, Dr. Louis Morgan reported the sacrifices of the first Bible Training School teacher, Nora Chambers, and other early teachers, staff, and supporters. When financial challenges threatened Bible Training School in 1923, Chambers wrote, “We went to prayer and got our heads together to help answer our own prayers. Sister Lee gave her canned goods and bought no clothes that year. Sister Garner, the matron, did the cooking for no pay.”
Dr. Michael Baker, who serves as both Chancellor of Church of God education and president of Pentecostal Theological Seminary informed attendees about the Global Education Initiative. Using new technology and networked resources, the Church of God is “creating an integrated, cooperative, and comprehensive educational system,” according to Baker.
Paul and Tannis Duncan view the Heritage Exhibit on opening day (click photo to enlarge)
The Church of God Historical Commission partners with the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center to produce a Church of God heritage exhibit for each International General Assembly. Following the Assembly, the exhibit is installed at the Research Center. Dr. Floyd Carey is chair of the Historical Committee, and Dr. David G. Roebuck is director of the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center.
The exhibit is located on the upper level of Squires Library on the campus of Lee University. A 40-page, four-color magazine accompanies the exhibit, which is open to the public during normal library hours and will remain on display until July 2020.
(Source: Pentecostal Research Center. Photos by Tammy Rockwell)
