Cleveland, TN–“Pillars of Pentecost: Church of God History – Our First Fifty Years” is now open to the public at the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center on the campus of Lee University.

Under the leadership of Chairman James E. Cossey, the Church of God Historical Commission and the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center produced and unveiled “Pillars of Pentecost” at the Church of God’s 79th International General Assembly in Indianapolis this past July. The exhibit, which is now installed at the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center, opened in Cleveland this past November with a program that included comments from Church of God Historian Dr. David G. Roebuck and Assistant General Overseer Dr. Mark Williams. The exhibit will remain open through June 2025.

The Church of God Heritage Exhibit features stories, photographs, and artifacts telling the inspirational history of many Church of God pioneers. The exhibit explores the vision and sacrifices of men and women God used to build the Church from a single congregation on the banks of Barney Creek in eastern Tennessee to today’s global movement of more than nine million members in more than 190 nations and territories of the world.

​“The pages of Scripture reveal much about God’s people,” observes Roebuck. “From the Garden of Eden to John the Revelator on the Isle of Patmos, we continue to benefit from the accounts of their lives – we are inspired by faithfulness, and we learn from failures. The same is true of our Church of God pioneers.” R.G. Spurling desired to faithfully build a Church founded on loving God and loving neighbor. W.F. Bryant and fellow pilgrims in the Camp Creek community of western North Carolina sought to be sanctified and received the blessing of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. A.J. Tomlinson left his Indiana home to minister to the children of Appalachia. His leadership expanded the Church of God’s vision into a global harvest and also led to a painful season of discerning better administrative policies and practices.

Beginning with R.G. Spurling’s Christian Union in 1886, the “Pillars of Pentecost” exhibit utilizes 26 panels and seven display cases to highlight the Church of God’s focus on reaching the harvest at home and abroad. Central to this growth was the passion and vision of A.J. Tomlinson – a “home missionary” whose Pentecostal experience transformed his ministry and that of the Church. Then 50 years from the movement’s formation at Barney Creek, J.H. Ingram circled the globe to reach the world with the gospel.

Accompanying the exhibit is a 40-page magazine by the same name, which was also unveiled at the General Assembly. It is available at the exhibit free of charge while supplies last or can be ordered by sending $5 per copy for shipping and handling to Dixon Pentecostal Research Center, 260 11th Street NE, Cleveland, TN 37311. A free PDF of the magazine is available by clicking here.

The Heritage Exhibit is free and open to the public during regular operating hours of the library, which can be found by clicking here. Squires Library is located on the corner of 11th Street and Paul Conn Parkway.
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For more information about the exhibit, contact Roebuck at [email protected].

The Dixon Pentecostal Research Center recently honored Dr. Delton Alford with their Spirit of Azusa Award. The award presentation and a reception in Alford’s honor was part of the Nineteenth Annual Azusa Lecture held in the Lee University Chapel last month.
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In presenting the award, Dixon Pentecostal Research Center Director Dr. David Roebuck stated that the purpose of the award is to honor those who represent the ongoing work that God did at the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles. Roebuck observed, “There are many characteristics of that revival that we could highlight including an emphasis on Pentecost, a sense of global mission and evangelism, and the importance of individual and corporate worship.”

Roebuck reviewed the ministry of Alford beginning with his growing up in Church of God parsonages and congregations that incorporated worship as a means of teaching theology and evangelizing their communities. Roebuck suggested, “Perhaps drawing from those experiences Dr. Alford later wrote in Music in the Pentecostal Church, ‘From its inception…the Pentecostal revival has been closely associated with a renewal of …vibrant music ministry involving congregational and individual participation in enthusiastic and spiritual singing of gospel hymns and gospel songs.’”

Roebuck emphasized the excellent leadership for which Dr. Alford is known including director of the Teen Talent program, music director for the Forward In Faith radio program, chairman of the General Assembly Music Committee, Director of Music for Pathway Press, chairman of the Church Music Committee, CEO and Executive Director of SpiritSound Music Group, and director of the Church of God Department of Music Ministries.

That excellence was especially evidenced in Alford’s ministry at Lee University. Having joined the music faculty in 1962, he went on to serve in significant leadership roles including chair of the Department of Music, dean of the Division of Arts and Sciences, dean of the College, and vice-president and dean of the College. In more recent years, he served as director of the Internet Degree Program. Perhaps Alford is best known as founding director of the world-renowned Lee Singers.

Roebuck concluded by describing Alford’s ministry as a writer, arranger, and producer. Honored with four Dove Award finalist nominations, Alford has served as a choral consultant with Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra and has been a choral clinician for numerous public schools, colleges, and churches. Throughout his ministry, he has been a sought-after worship leader for local, national, and international gatherings.

In accepting the Spirit of Azusa Award, Alford acknowledged the sustaining work of the Holy Spirt throughout his ministry and affirmed that in his experience ministry will always be effective “with the leading of the Holy Spirit, the calling of the Lord, the diligence of preparation, and excellence in performance. How much better could it be than to be on this planet at this time representing the ministry and the power of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.”

Prior to the award presentation, Dr. Lee Roy Martin presented the Azusa Lecture entitled “In Spirit and in Truth: Renewing Biblical Worship.” Martin is Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages and the James W. Hamilton Professor of Teaching Lay Involvement at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, where he has taught since 1992. A bishop in the Church of God, he has served as a lead pastor for more than 25 years and is currently associate pastor at Grace Community Church in Cleveland. He is editor of the Journal of Pentecostal Theology and has written more than 40 books including A Worshiping People: A Pentecostal Study of Vibrant Worship for the Believer.

Other participants in the Azusa Lecture program included the Lee Singers under the direction of Dr. Randy Sheeks, Song Leader Caleb Mooneyham, and the Reverend Steven Allen, who represented the Church of God Global Worship Initiative. Roebuck also acknowledged the generosity of contributors who made the lecture and award presentation possible.

The Dixon Pentecostal Research Center launched the annual Azusa Lecture and Spirit of Azusa Award in 2006 on the centennial of the renowned Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles. What started as a home prayer meeting attracted throngs of seekers as hundreds traveled to the Azusa Street Mission, received a personal baptism with the Holy Spirit, and took that message to their homes, churches, and communities.

Founded by Charles W. Conn as a research library on the campus of Lee University, the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center is one of the world’s premiere collections of Pentecostal resources as well as the archives of the Church of God. Scholars, students, and church leaders utilize the center’s holdings related to the Pentecostal-Charismatic Movement. Dr. Roebuck serves as director, and the Reverend David “Gene” Mills, Jr. is archivist.

The Nineteenth Annual Azusa Lecture and Spirit of Azusa Award presentation can be viewed online by clicking here.