Central Bible College - Cup Yearbook (Springfield, MO)

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, - .. . ... ..x..-.ee---nge... -.f.-uns---.-.-.p,..,...,-..-1... --- -.s..,... ....,.........,,- .,,-.ef N,-, , .,,,,.,,,,,,..,:,,,,.,,.,, ,,.,,,., , ,, l , H The fflltarismaiie jmuitement Between the time of the first century church and the middle of the 19th century, approximately 24 charismatic movements and sects appeared. In the United States, an estimation of 11 episodes occurred between 1850 and 1900. Speaking in tongues was occurring in New England, Minnesota, South Dakota, Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas. Other isolated charismatic manifestations helped to set the stage for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit which would soon encircle the earth and bring a great refreshing to the Latter Days. At the turn of the century, Bethel Bible College sprang up at Topeka, Kansas, under the direction of Charles F. Parham. In January, 1901, an unusual experience came among the students of the college. The Holy Spirit was being poured out upon them from on high. The school had hardly begun when it had to close doors in view of handicaps. Nonetheless,this was an important step for Pente- cost. Charles Parham's next few years as a preacher were extremely difficult. He was pronounced a heretic and only a few people would listen to his message ofthe infilling of the Holy Ghost. But a spark of God's blessing came in October, 1903, at Galena, Kansas. In a revival there, 800 were converted and over 1,000 were healed. This revival fever spread to Baxter Springs, Missouri, to Orchard and Houston, Texas and to many other places in America. At these revivals, scores were converted and many were remarkably delivered from all sorts of problems. Then W.J. Seymour, a Negro from Parham's school, went to Los Angeles, California, to preach in a Nazarene Church on April 6, 1906. After the morning service, the doors were locked and Sey- mour was told that his message on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was false doctrine. He had to move his services to a private home where on thefirst night, the Pentecostal effusion came. Hardhearted sinners came in and were changed. Miraculously, the sick were made whole. An enthusiasm for God was sparked. Crowds,became so great, they relocated at Azusa Street where the revival continued for three years. The great significance of this revival was its role in transforming the embryo Pentecostal ourpouring into a worldwide movement. The need for organization brought the call to order in 1914-- the birth of the Assemblies of God. It is interesting to know that these men were not interested in forming a new denomination or a new organization but wholly in spreading the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.They were particularly interested in foreign missionary activities. One of the five announced purposes of the organizing Council in Hot. Springs, Arkansas, in 1914, was to establish a general Bible training schooI. In short, the purpose of the school would be: To teach students how to pray, how to study, how to know God and walk with Him. lt would be a faith school. No charge would be. made for board, tuition or room. They would trust God together to supply every need. ' irsf 'Glfnu Heats CBC began as a O0-educational institute for the training of men and women to become ministers and missionaries on the home and foreign fields. Brother D.W. Kerr stated, The purpose of CBI is to give a working knowledge of the Bible in the shortest possible time consistent with effeciency and thoroughness. When the students arrived in the fall of 1922, it was necessary for them to find rooms in the homes of Christian people. A small white church with a seating capacity of about four hundred was the first building students saw. They were informed that in the base- ment of this church the school was located. There were many disadvantages for the struggling Institute, but in spite of the handicaps God did great things in that tiny basement. One thing is sure, practically every one of the students who came out of that basement schoolroom have made their mark either on the foreign field or in the homeland. It was the constant prayer of faculty, student body and direct- orate that better quarters would be provided for the school. And God was able to provide a home for Central Bible Institute. There were many anxious days spent in uncertainties over the actual securing and paying for the lnstitute's grounds. Plans were formed and rejected. But then came the momentous decision to build when Brother Hartman of Rochester, New York, came to provide the assistance of an architect. October 8, 1924, found the students comfortably settled ina splendid Bible school building. As a result of the vision of faith of the brethren and their labor of love, a large two story dormitory was erected at the present campus sight. lgenieensi Cllnmes in Springfield Sister Rachel Sizelove brought the Pentecostal Message and blessing first to Springfield, Missouri, in June, 1907. She was form- erly with the Free Methodist church but had tarried in the old Azusa Street Mission and received the Baptism according to the original pattern in Acts 2:4. Mrs. Lillie Harper Corum who lived in Springfield, Missouri, was the sister of Rachel Sizelove. Rachel had sent information about the apostolic movement in California in 1906. Then Rachel came to visit her sister in Springfield and the overflow from Azusa Street came with her. The Sunday afternoon prayer meetings turned into an organized Pentecostal church. Mrs. Lillie Harper Corum pioneered the first Pentecostal church in Springfield which today is named Central Assembly. Rachel said when she first came to Springfield the Lord gave her a vision. She saw a wonderful fountain springing up as it seemed in the very center of the city and flowing in all directions. The Lord said to her, I am going to send blessings to every part of the world from this city. Today that blessing has become a reality. 3351113 Hllnrztie in Springfield? ln the years following the first meeting of the General Council in 1914, several Bible schools were started, but none of them continued long in operation. It was in 1920 that the first Bible school was actually established by the new movement. It was lo- cated at Auburn, Nebraska, in a hotel building. The Mid-West Bible School, as it was named, was operated on a faith basis. But the feeble effort lasted only one year. Then in the fall of 1921, a General Council was held in St. Louis, Missouri, and special attention was given to the need for a Bible school. The second attempt was made to establish a school, but this time on a more substantial basis. ln 1921 , the basement of Central Assembly at Campbell and Calhoun was remodeled and on October 2, 1922, Central Bible Institute began its operations. The General Council gave the following reasons for locating the school in Springfield: 1l lt is convenient to the General Council headquarters. 2l The climate is most like southern California, never extreme. 3l lt affords ample opportunities for practical gospel work. 4l lt is very accessible and located in the heart of the nation. 5l The Commercial Club of Springfield had purchased fifteen acres-a quiet, oak-timbered spot, just the place for worship and rest and study-and donated it to the General Council for the schooI. 4 eltf . ifrite . E profl Edui Streti four. Chris servi. W serve ed uc of the fel ln 1914, ai of vi movemeni Bell was a were s Coun the found The mother built in 1918 fc