Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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B. Y. P. U. president, and chairman of the Young People ' s Commission of the General Conference for seven years. Mr. Wingblade was head of the English Department, and also taught other subjects in Bethel Academy from 1910-1936, and in Bethel Junior College from 1931-1938. In 1938 he was called as pastor of the Addison St. Baptist Church of Chicago, but in 1940, the Swedish Baptist General Conference called him from that pastorate to the presidency of Bethel Institute. Since 1941 Pres. Wingblade has guided the affairs of Bethel Junior College. During the years of teaching at Bethel, Mr. Wingblade has served as interim pastor and because of the time spent in preaching the Word of Life while he was professor at Bethel, Mr. Wingblade was ordained by a council called by the Central Baptist Church of St. Paul. In addition to his teaching and preaching activities, lectures at summer assemblies, camps, and rallies, he has been a constant contributor to the Y. P. Topic of the Standard, and for 14 years has written articles for the Watchman Examiner. He served as editor of the Baptist Evangel for one year, which later became the Standard, the organ of the Swedish Baptist General Conference. Mr. Wingblade was married on September 27, 1917 to Gunhild Hagstrom, and they are the parents of four daughters: Alice, Evangeline, Helen, and Grace. An almost climatic event in the life of Pres. Wingblade came when on February 26, 1943, the Northern Baptist Seminary of Chicago conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. His work among Y. P. and his real understanding of the problems of youth has made his life very precious to all young people, and especially to those at Bethel. Pres. Wingblade testifies to God ' s faithfulness by quoting Joshua 23:14 where this great leader of the Israelites is delivering his fare- well message to his people: And behold this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one ihing hath failed thereof. Certainly the glowing Christian life and serenity of spirit which the faculty and students of Bethel recognize always in Mr. Wingblade, makes this verse a deeper imprint on their minds than any other testi- mony could. And so we humbly thank God for the life as president of Pres. Wingblade and what it has meant to each individual decision and life. if cu ni

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radiant countenance is the result of continuous and glorious victories through Him. Henry Conrad Wingblode was born on a farm in Kansas and he attended the public schools of Pittsburg, Kansas, and the high school in Topeka, Kansas. A childhood experience which Mr. Wingblade remembers expressly is a trip with his mother to Sweden at the age of ten. On their return journey the ship struck rocks off the coast of Scotland and very soon began to sink. This is perhaps the first lesson in a series of which is still continuing — the art of which he has become master — learning to trust absolutely in the Lord, knowing that He is able to KEEP. His brave mother, in an effort to comfort her children, told them to say goodbye to Daddy in America and that they would soon be with Jesus. Little did this Christian mother know of the place which her son was to command, nor the ingathering of souls due to the testimony of this Christ-filled life. The announcement was made by the captain that land had been sighted — help would soon arrive, and that they would not perish. But upon arrival in New York, they discovered that the pumps had been running night and day for there were five large holes in the hull. God in His great mercy spared the lives of His people so that His child might grow to manhood and fulfill His plan for Him. In 1892, at the age of eight, Mr. Wingblade was converted during a sweeping revival in Kansas. On Dec. 31, 1900, he was baptized and joined the Western Avenue Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, and in this church he was active as choir director. Young People ' s president, and in various other capacities. In 1910 Mr. Wingblade received his baccalaureate degree by graduation from Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas. After doing post-graduate work at the University of Chicago and the University of Minnesota, he received his M. A. from the Minn- esota U. As a young man he was employed by the ex-Governor, Arthur T. Capper, and as a reward, received a gold watch, of which Mr. Wingblade is ivlr. Wingblade Still very proud. On coming to the Twin Cities, he f 9, united with the Elim Baptist Church of Minneapolis and there became active as Sunday School teacher, Y. P. president. Twin City B. Y. P. U. president. State as a teacher

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SALUTE! (: -