In March 2003, just two weeks before his 50th wedding anniversary, my dad suffered a stroke. It was the deciding factor that led my parents to move from their home of 48 years to a ground-level apartment. We had planned a 50th anniversary celebration for them June 1 with all of their children. By that time, Dad could stand and take a few steps with assistance. It was a privilege to honor Dad and Mom for their faithfulness to each other and to our family.

The next day we began moving them into their new home. My husband, John, and my youngest brother, David, were cleaning the basement of the old house. They found two of Dad’s old beat-up lunch pails. As they each decided to keep one, John commented to David, “In helping to pack your parents’ household goods, I found nothing that your dad ever bought for himself. All his finances were poured into his family. These old, worn-out lunch pails bear testimony to his selflessness over the last 50 years.”

Paul wrote to Timothy, “If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity. … Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without” (1 Timothy 3:1-4,7, KJV).

Dad was never a bishop, but he wonderfully modeled this Scripture. And those lunch pails bore witness to his Christlike character. Dad used those lunch pails for over 30 years as he worked faithfully every day at a dairy to support his family of five children. He never finished high school, but he had godly wisdom. He never had his “name in lights,” but he is held in high esteem by his family, fellow church members and neighbors. His love for God was evident in all he did.

Dad was a deacon at his church for many years. Later on, he and Mom served their pastor, cleaning up after construction workers when a new church was built and then maintaining the facility every week when it was finished. The pastor told us Dad was grieved he could no longer clean the church after his stroke.

So, what is the value of a lunch pail? It is priceless. It represents love for family and friends, faithfulness, integrity, respect, honor, character, responsibility, humbleness, servanthood and, most of all, a deep love for God and His Word.

On Oct. 5, 2006, Dad was promoted to his heavenly home. But his legacy still lives through his children and grandchildren. Thanks, Dad, for showing us Jesus. Happy Father’s Day!

– Doris Knoles and her husband, John, minister with Native American Marriage Enrichment.

Tags: Father\'s Day

Ian, who will be a junior in the fall, is on the staff of the school’s newspaper, The Lance. He also is a web writer and student blogger at Evangel University. Ian is a native of Afton, Iowa.

“I’m excited to get a taste of what writing is like on the professional level, especially under people with so much wisdom and experience and for a magazine with as much history as the Pentecostal Evangel,” Ian says. “I can tell already that this internship is going to help me grow a lot as a writer. I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to investigate and write stories about what is going on with Christians all around the world.”

“We have enjoyed a great relationship with Evangel University over the years, as they have recommended gifted students as interns to assist our team,” says Scott Harrup, Pentecostal Evangel managing editor. “Ian hit the ground running, and we look forward to the weeks he will be contributing to the magazine’s content.”

Readers who haven’t entered the May 9 drawing can do so until 11:59 p.m. (CDT) on Saturday, May 4. The drawing winner will receive a copy of Q&A: Conversations with 50 inspiring people and a six-month Pentecostal Evangel print subscription. Contestants must be at least 18 years old and are limited to one entry per drawing.

Anyone missing the deadline for the May 9 drawing will automatically be entered in the May 16 contest, which offers a copy of Write the Vision by Richard G. Champion and a six-month Evangel subscription. Click here for more information or to enter.

Tags: Pentecostal Evangel, Weekly Drawing

Here is my perspective as I sent it:

The primary persecution suffered by those who attended the Azusa Street revival was in the form of ridicule. This was widespread. Major newspapers made extremely biased attacks, and some public figures denounced it, especially leaders of denominational churches.

There was also more personal abuse heaped upon the group as a whole, sometimes including physical attacks during street services held by Azusa Street personnel.

There are many other examples. So the answer is, yes, there was much personal discrimination and persecution of those who were part of the Azusa Street Revival.

Tags: revival, church history, persecution, Pentecostalism

I hadn’t read far when I knew I wanted to excerpt this book in the Pentecostal Evangel. It’s a great examination of the various aspects of the calling of the Christian, with especially perceptive insights. These views from Ron Marinari clearly come from a pastor’s heart. Both the content and the writing make this an excellent read for any believer.

To read the excerpt that was in the Pentecostal Evangel, June 2, 2013, “The Calling of a Servant,” click this link: http://s1.ag.org/i1.

Tags: book review, ministry, vocation, Christian life