During my research on the history of the Pentecostal movement in Tulsa, I discovered the story of a Church of God in Christ pastor, Bishop Travis B. Sipuel, who survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. His story we know because of his daughter Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, the famous Oklahoma Civil Rights leader. This is … Continue reading Bishop Travis B. Sipuel: A Pentecostal Survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
pentecostalism
How Pentecostals Responded to the 1918 Spanish Influenza Pandemic
(Note: This blog was also published in Influence Magazine and can be viewed on their website https://influencemagazine.com) Hear a podcast about this topic with Steve Strang of Charisma Magazine. Right now the whole world is feeling the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic. It seems like every institution in our society is closing down to protect … Continue reading How Pentecostals Responded to the 1918 Spanish Influenza Pandemic
Reclaiming Racial Spaces in Tulsa: Oral Roberts and Beno Hall
In the aftermath of the 1921 Race Massacre in Tulsa, many of the residential areas surrounding the Greenwood District were still in ruins. Into one of those spaces, the Tulsa KKK built a giant white building in 1923 at 501 N Main called Beno Hall. The new building that housed the 3,000 member klavern served … Continue reading Reclaiming Racial Spaces in Tulsa: Oral Roberts and Beno Hall
Oklahoma’s Pentecostal History: Lamont
A tiny town of 500 in north-central Oklahoma was at one time responsible for the Pentecostal revival's spread across many parts of Western Oklahoma from 1907-1908. That tiny town was Lamont, Oklahoma. This video tells the story of Lamont and the revival of 1907-1908 that impacted the Pentecostal Movement in Oklahoma. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmYGHc7T094 Lamont was the … Continue reading Oklahoma’s Pentecostal History: Lamont
Were Early AG Leaders Anti-Intellectual?
From the beginning, the Pentecostal movement had a careful relationship with theology and the pursuit of education. Even today, many of my educated AG pastor friends are often frustrated with the way in which people within our fellowship are suspicious of education. Roger Olsen speaks of the these attitudes. He says, ‘Endemic to Pentecostalism is … Continue reading Were Early AG Leaders Anti-Intellectual?
The AG and Black Heritage
During the month of February, I have read several great articles on Pentecostalism's black heritage. Vinson Synan wrote about William Seymours' role as the father of Pentecostalism. Darrin Rodgers highlights 10 African American ministers that were in important to the AG and the Pentecostal movement. David Daniel's highlights what happened to the racial diversity in the Pentecostal movement. … Continue reading The AG and Black Heritage
What is an Evangelical, anyway?
There is a lot of discussion during the political season about what "evangelicals" will do as a voting block. How do you know if you are an evangelical? The reality is that the term 'evangelical' is a very difficult term to define. It has historical, theological, political and social meanings. My study of Pentecostalism … Continue reading What is an Evangelical, anyway?
