Vest Honored with Spirit of Azusa Award
Dr. Lamar Vest was honored with the Spirit of Azusa Award for his life-long leadership of the Pentecostal Movement. The presentation took place at the conclusion of the 13th Annual Azusa Lecture sponsored by the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center on October 23 in Cleveland, Tennessee.
A native of South Carolina, Vest began his ministry in 1955 and has served as an evangelist, pastor, church planter, and leader of Church of God and parachurch ministries.
Dr. Lamar Vest holds the Spirit of Azusa Award, presented to him on October 23, 2018 (Photo: Tammy Rockwell)
His denominational leadership included youth and Christian education director in the states of Oklahoma, Southern California/Nevada, and Delmarva-D.C. (Delaware/Maryland/Washington, D.C.). Beginning in 1972, Vest served the International Department of Youth and Christian Education in consecutive four-year tenures as administrative assistant, assistant director, and director.
When the Lee College board of directors chose Vest as president in 1984, he initiated recruitment and fund raising programs that launched a significant period of growth for the college. He also appointed Dr. Paul Conn as vice president for Institutional Advancement.
Vest’s service as president of Lee was interrupted with his election to the Church of God Executive Committee where he served from 1986 to 1994 and again from 1996 to 2004. While on the Executive Committee, he served eight years as general overseer (1990-1994 and 2000-2004).
Vest’s other executive leadership has included director of Church of God Media Ministries, chancellor of Church of God education, chairman of the National Association of Evangelicals, vice chairman of the Pentecostal World Fellowship, and president of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (2014-2016).
In 1991, the American Bible Society asked Vest to serve on their Board of Trustees. This led to additional leadership as chair of the ABS board, executive vice president of ABS Global Scripture Ministries, member of the United Bible Societies Board of Trustees, and president and chief executive officer of ABS (2009-2012). In 2012 ABS elected Vest as president emeritus.
Vest has authored several books including his recent memoir, Reflections of the Journey.
“Dr. Vest is an exemplary model of a Christian leader,” said Dr. David G. Roebuck, director of the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center and Church of God historian. “His deeply felt call to Christian ministry, faithfulness to serve wherever doors open, and global vision of what God is doing echo the ministry of William J. Seymour. Seymour was pastor of the extraordinary Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles and is seen by many as the spiritual father of the modern Pentecostal movement. Like Seymour, Dr. Vest leads with confidence and distinction–all the while opening doors for others to lead wherever God has gifted them.”
Several ministries and persons joined with the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center to sponsor the Spirit of Azusa Award, including the American Bible Society in recognition of Vest’s “decades of ministry service declaring the life-changing message of God’s Word.” Other sponsors included the Church of God Department of Youth and Discipleship, the Church of God Division of Education, the Church of God in California/Nevada, the Church of God in Delmarva-DC, Ken and Debbie Davis, Christopher and Sarah Moree, Mt. Olive Ministries, Pastor Niko Njotorahardjo, North Cleveland Church of God, and Pentecostal Theological Seminary.
