Notable COGIC Women from the Tulsa Area

Tulsa's Black Pentecostal community has a rich history. As Tulsa's black population thrived along side the development of the Greenwood District known as "Black Wall Street," Pentecost also took hold with at least two Church of God in Christ Churches by 1921 with over 100 members each. In doing research for my book, Pentecost in … Continue reading Notable COGIC Women from the Tulsa Area

Russell Spittler’s 1983 Predictions for Pentecostal Studies and Their Fulfillment

This week we received the news that pioneering Pentecostal scholar, Dr. Russell Spittler (Ph.D. Harvard, 1971) had passed away. Spittler had a long and distinguished career as a Pentecostal scholar and educator serving at Central Bible College, Vanguard University, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He was also very involved in the Society for Pentecostal Studies where … Continue reading Russell Spittler’s 1983 Predictions for Pentecostal Studies and Their Fulfillment

How Early Pentecostals Rescued Women from Human Trafficking

The month of January is Human Trafficking Awareness month. This terrible social evil has been more prominent in our social consciousness in recent decades, but early Pentecostals were at the forefront of bringing attention to this issue as early as 1907. During my research on Assemblies of God history, I found stories of homes set … Continue reading How Early Pentecostals Rescued Women from Human Trafficking

Pentecost: How Long Does it Take?

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he instructed his disciples to ‘Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high’ (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4 KJV). Drawing from these words, the practice of having "tarrying" services became a uniquely Pentecost ritual whereby believers actively lingered in Pentecostal services for the … Continue reading Pentecost: How Long Does it Take?

Metro Pentecostal Church Celebrates 100 Years

Tulsa is a city with a rich history of Oneness Pentecostalism. Following the split between Trinitarian and Oneness believers in the Assemblies of God in 1916, it is unclear if any Oneness congregations were maintained from the number of early Pentecostal believers in Tulsa. The first known church was started In 1922, when a Oneness … Continue reading Metro Pentecostal Church Celebrates 100 Years

Mildred Wicks: The Greatest Female Preacher of the Healing Revival

While researching the history of Pentecostalism in Tulsa, I discovered many stories of women who shaped Pentecostalism in Oklahoma. Perhaps none was more important than Mildred Wicks, an important Pentecostal Holiness Revivalist who was recognized in the 1950s as the one of the greatest preachers and healing evangelists of the Healing Revival. Mildred Wicks was … Continue reading Mildred Wicks: The Greatest Female Preacher of the Healing Revival

A Conversation About Oral Roberts: Voices of Renewal Podcast

Voices of Renewal is a podcast from Regent University looking at the activity of the Holy Spirit of renewing the church throughout history. A few weeks back I joined Dr. Corne Bekker for a conversation about Oral Roberts and his role in renewal theology in the church. You can listen by clicking the image below … Continue reading A Conversation About Oral Roberts: Voices of Renewal Podcast