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Lighting the Path Heritage Exhibit:
Celebrating 75 Years of Youth
Ministry
The Dixon Pentecostal Research Center and archives opened the new Lighting the
Path heritage exhibit on October 28, 2004, in Cleveland, Tennessee.
It celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Church of God’s first
general youth program – the Young People’s Endeavor. On display are past
issues of The Lighted Pathway a monthly youth magazine, artifacts,
memorabilia, letters, photographs, and other historical documents.
A special
section honors Dr. Ray H. Hughes Sr., who as a young minister preached at
a Hollywood Bowl youth rally in 1948. He became the third director of the
Church of God’s National Youth Department. Since then, he has faithfully
served in many capacities including general overseer, president of Lee
University, president of the Church of God Theological Seminary, and as
president of the National Association of Evangelicals. He donated his
papers, documents, and other materials to the Dixon Research Center during
the summer of 2004.
Before the General Assembly adopted
the Young People’s Endeavor in 1929, the Church of God had already
demonstrated a commitment to children and youth through Sunday school,
Bible Training School and ministry to needy children. The first General
Assembly was held in 1906 and urged adoption of Sunday schools to benefit
children and teens. The Church of God Bible Training School, now Lee
University, was established in 1918, along with the Church of God
Orphanage in 1920.
"The year 1929 was a decisive
moment for Church of God youth," stated Dr. David Roebuck, director of the
Dixon Pentecostal Research Center. "Several local and state youth
organizations inspired the General Assembly to implement a national
program for its young people." Alda B. Harrison and other key leaders
particularly encouraged the adoption and promotion of YPE. The same year
Mrs. Harrison established The Lighted Pathway as a monthly magazine
for youth, which later was adopted by the general church and published
until 1991. Since 1929, the Church of God has developed many other youth
ministries including youth camps, short-term mission trips, Youth World
Evangelism Action, and Teen Talent. The International Department of Youth
and Christian Education was founded in 1948.
Lighting the Path heritage
exhibit is sponsored by the Church of God Historical Commission and the
Dixon Pentecostal Research Center. The exhibit is open to the public
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during normal hours.
It will remain on display at the Pentecostal Resource Center at Lee
University until June 2006.
Eric Waggoner
Reporter
For more information, contact:
Dixon Pentecostal Research Center
423-614-8576 or e-mail at
dixon_research@leeuniversity.edu
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