Horton series reflects on Pentecostal roots

By Abby Gunasegaran
STAFF WRITER

Last week, Evangel presented its third annual Dr. Stanley M. Horton Pentecostal Heritage Lectureship Series in chapel.

According to the informational brochure which was handed out, this series was funded by an anonymous donor and was “intended to reinforce the importance of the Pentecostal doctrine and heritage of the Assemblies of God.”

Campus Pastor John Plake said, “Basically what we try to do is focus on what Pentecostal life and practice is like how it plays out in modern life.”

Dr. Stanley Horton has been known and recognized as one of the key figures of Pentecostalism for decades. He is a renowned theologian, writer and lecturer, and at the age of 93 still continues to travel around the world teaching.

Dr. Horton graduated from Harvard and was the chair of the Bible Department at Central Bible College for four years of his thirty year tenure from 1948 to 1978.

Shortly after that, he served at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary for 13 years as a “Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Bible and Theology.”

Robert Berg, Director of LifeWorks, said, “Those of us who have grown up in my generation have known Stanley Horton as one of the most influential, most recognizable names in the Pentecostal world.”

“[He has] influenced Pentecostal pastors and teachers for decades,” Berg said.

According to Berg, Dr. Horton also led the way for Pentecostal scholars.

“[He made people realize that] you didn’t have to give up your Pentecostal fervor to be a scholar,“ Berg said.

This series included a “Faculty Panel Discussion of Pentecostal Life and Practice.”

During the panel Rev. John Plake, Dr. Steve Badger and Dr. Michael Tenneson shared their personal testimonies and experiences that have shaped their faith in profound ways.

The rest of the week, Dr. James T. Bradford, the General Secretary of the Assemblies of God, spoke in Chapel about history of the pentacostal faith.