|
|
|
|
My personal ministry also includes conducting "Heritage Services" for local churches. If you would like for me to speak for your congregation, I would love to share this ministry with them. To schedule a service, or just to learn more about this ministry, please contact me: lmorgan@leeuniversity.edu or 423.614.8560. The following article was published in the February 2004 issues of the Church of God Evangel:
Heritage Service Spotlights Local Church History A librarian serving Lee University and the Church of God Theological Seminary, who is also a student of the history of the Church of God, has begun a personal ministry that will preserve and enhance the heritage of many local churches. Louis Morgan, formerly an archivist at the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center, and now librarian of instructional services for Lee University and the Church of God Theological Seminary, conducts heritage services for local churches. In a service, he highlights the church's history and places it in the context of the larger history of the denomination, Pentecostalism and the broader Christian church. "During my years as an archivist, I sat at the feet of outstanding church historians such as Charles Conn, David Roebuck, and James Beaty," Morgan said. "They helped me understand the significance of the Church of God in the light of the broader Christian story." Morgan, not yet 30, confesses to being involved in researching church history since he was 9 years old. "I was curious about something someone said about my home church, so I went to work finding out more. Before long, old-timers were laughing that I knew more about the church as a kid than they did." Born in Morgantown, Mississippi, he has researched and written extensively about churches in his home state. He earned degrees from Lee University and the University of Tennessee and has worked for the academic library for eight years. The young researcher, also a credentialed minister with the church, now visits churches for a service in which he takes the congregation on a journey beginning with the New Testament church, through early church history, the Reformation, rise of the Holiness Movement, beginnings of Pentecostalism, up to the origins of the particular local church he is visiting. He sets the local church development in the context of how the Church of God began in the area, often including old testimonies from the Evangel, if they can be found. Using a PowerPoint presentation, along with a portable heritage display made available by the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center, Morgan typically begins by reading the scripture "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3 John 4), using his great-great-grandmother's Bible. She was a Pentecostal pioneer in Mississippi, having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit in 1909, Morgan explains. "I love conducting these services, because pastors tell me they help people receive a new awareness and a greater appreciation for their roots," he said. For some people, history appears to be humdrum. For Morgan, the living connection between where a church is today and how it began makes it anything but dull. Congregations who have benefited from his presentations share the same testimony. Morgan attempts to schedule church appointments well in advance in order to give time for adequate research. He may be contacted by e-mail at lmorgan@leeuniversity.edu or by telephone at 423-614-8560. ~Bill George
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Upcoming "Heritage Sunday" services:
Sunday, October 1, 2006 New Vision Church of God Escatawpa, Mississippi Reverend Jeff Saksa, Pastor
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Report of recent "Heritage Sunday" services:
North Cleveland Church of God (Unity Sunday School Class) ~ Cleveland, TN In celebration of the Centennial of the North Cleveland Church of God, the congregation's Unity School Class asked me to present a Heritage Service at their Christmas Banquet on December 6, 2005. I spoke on "Gifts from a Stable" and focused on (1) the gift of Christ's birth, (2) the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the Azusa Street Mission-- and former livery stable, and (3) the "Cradle of Pentecost" at North Cleveland COG. I had a wonderful time sharing the holiday season with the Sunday school class members, and I was honored to have the opportunity to participate in the Centennial festivities of the local congregation.
International City Church of God ~ Warner Robins, GA On Sunday, May 22, 2005, I conducted a Heritage Service in Warner Robins, GA, at International City Church of God, which is the oldest Church of God congregation in the area. This is also the congregation in which noted evangelist and church leader T. L. Lowery was converted as a teenager. Pastors Clyde and Paula Day Johns were great hosts provided a wonderful experience for me. The ministerial team and congregation were exceptionally helpful and friendly. Many individuals in the congregation have only recently begun attending the church, and I also believe they were blessed by learning more about the spiritual heritage of the congregation. Pastor Johns also spoke following the presentation, and one woman testified of being healed during that portion of the service.
Trinity Heights Church of God ~ Hattiesburg, MS The service was on Sunday, April 17, 2005, in preparation of the 75th Anniversary of the Church of God in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The service was held at Trinity Heights Church of God, pastored by Bevon J. Smith. There was a large attendance and the music and worship was amazing as well. Pastor Smith and his family are doing an excellent job in leading this congregation. The future looks promising for the Church of God in Hattiesburg. I had a wonderful time meeting many new individuals and worshipping with the congregation there.
Oak Park Church of God ~ Decatur, AL The 75th Anniversary at Oak Park Church in Decatur, Alabama, will be a memorable event in my ministry. This congregation has produced several leaders in our movement, including the late Edna Minor Conn (who was married to former General Overseer Dr. Charles W. Conn and is the mother of Lee University President Dr. Paul Conn). Brother Gene Rice also preached his first sermon from the front porch of a local church member's house. The service was held on Sunday, October 17, 2004, and the sanctuary was filled to capacity. The overflow rooms were opened for the service as well. Pastor Carl Maynard and the local church leadership provided a well-planned service that included selections of gospel music popular in the church through the years, as well as personal testimonies of older church members. I used the PowerPoint presentation, which included many photographs of local church events. I also set up the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center display of photographs and other documents focusing on the heritage of the Church of God. Oak Park Church continues to be a leading congregation in northern Alabama, and it is a very friendly and caring church. I had a wonderful time there. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Richland Creek Church of God ~ Foxworth, MS Homecoming Sunday at Richland Creek Church was awesome! On Sunday, October 10, 2004, about 200 individuals attended the service, and it was also the 55th anniversary of the local church. Pastor Jeff Saksa and the local church were a blessing, and I had a very enjoyable visit. I used a projector and screen for the presentation, which include many photographs of local events over the years. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Westmore Church of God ~ Crossroads Sunday School Class (Cleveland, TN) I had a great time speaking for the Sunday School class taught by Dr. Rickie Moore at Westmore Church of God in Cleveland. The use of the PowerPoint brought the history to life as the audience was able to see the images of some of the founders of our faith. (As a result of preparing for this service, I now have the PowerPoint slides available in color transparencies. So, whether a church has PowerPoint or not I can now show them the slides-- including those made specifically for their local congregation.) This service briefly traced the development of the New Testament Church and placed special emphasis on the first major revival of the Church of God in Cleveland during 1908 and 1909. Also, after the presentation we had time for a "question and answer" session. I enjoyed the fellowship with class members and had a great time talking with many of them personally following the presentation. Thank you, Crossroads class, for all of your comments and interaction during the service. I believe this was one of the best heritage services to date. God bless you! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Oak Street Church of God in Sevierville, Tennessee I had a wonderful time at Oak Street Church for a recent Heritage Sunday. I also enjoyed speaking at a men's fellowship breakfast there on Saturday morning. Pastor John Nations and his family are great people, and the congregation made me feel right at home. We had a great service on Sunday morning, and those attending were so gracious in their comments of appreciation. I was especially grateful that some new members and attendees commented on how informative the service had been in helping them learn more about the roots of Pentecostalism and the Church of God. Thank you Brother Nations and Oak Street Church for your hospitality. I will long remember our laughs, fellowship, and the kindred spirit among my brothers and sisters in the Lord. God bless you all abundantly!
|