Life of James R. Reynolds Sr.

• Timeline
• Article on Same-Sex Marriage
• Impressions of a Travelling Tent Revival - Greenfield, MA
• Testimony from a Broken Man
• Building New DC Building
• Birthday Thoughts
• Workers of Deliverance Center
• Deliverance Center About Us
• Memorial by Son Stephen
• Meetings

Timeline

Family Names

Reynolds Family to James Roosevelt [tentative]

Christopher Tillman Reynell(Reynolds)(Rennolds)(January 20, 1530 - 1600) -> William Job Reynolds (1613 - April 10, 1675) -> Electious Reynolds (May 1653 - June 19, 1738) -> Rev. Ephraim Reynolds (Feb 14, 1704 - May 12, 1775) -> Daniel Reynolds (May 13, 1756 - May 13, 1832) -> Barak Reynolds (March 19, 1794 - Feb 15, 1867) -> Lewis Lincoln Reynolds (Oct 17, 1827 - Dec 27, 1908) -> James Oremondel Reynolds (Feb 12, 1851 - Nov 5, 1917) -> Frederick Louis Reynolds (March 13, 1879 - January 18, 1947) -> James Roosevelt Reynolds, Sr. (December 3 1930 - May 21, 2012)

Locke Family to Wyoka Priscilla [tentative]

Thomas Locke (?) -> John Locke (September 13, 1627 - August 26, 1696) -> Edward J Locke (Abt. 1663 - August 26, 1739) -> Thomas Locke (June 10, 1713 - 1747) ->Thomas Locke (April 14, 1751 - April 14, 1816) -> Ward Locke (August 12, 1748 - November 25, 1828) -> Jesse F Locke (1/24/1830 - 4/30/1887) -> William R. Locke (May 9, 1834 - April 3, 1896) -> Stillman Johnson Locke (July 4, 1861 - March 5, 1905) -> Louis Goding Locke (June 1, 1892 - December 27, 1942) -> Wyoka Priscilla (Locke) Reynolds (Dec 3, 1931 - June 27 1963)

Howard Family to Beverly Ann [tentative]

• TODO Earl R Howards Sr. & Gwendolyn Elaine Howard (South Gardiner September 25, 1915 - January 28, 1969)-> Beverly Ann (Howard) Reynolds (April 23, 1945 - August 21, 2008)
• Sister Connie Boucher and Brother Earle, Donna and Roger Whitlow, Ann Skeehan, Theresa (& Harold) Powell, brother Tim (& Donna ) Howard

Dates

1627

• John Locke, Born September 13, 1627, London, England; Death: August 26, 1696, Rye, New Hampshire; Rye Central Cemetery: Division 2 - Lot 1;

Married: 26 JUL 1624 in London, England, Recorded in the Whitechapel Register. "There is no record of the arrival of John and Nathaniel LOCKE to New Hampshire, it is believed they arrived in 1644, by 1654 he framed the first meeting house in Portsmouth. John lived for a time in Portsmouth, though he probably settled on this land in 1666 without permission of the town. Afterwards they settled on Locke's Neck in what is now Rye." Source: Locke, p. 6,7: "He was noted for the daring and success with which he fought the Indians, foiling their many attempts to destroy the settlers, hence was correspondingly hated by them. On one of their raids from the east, landing on the coast near Locke's Neck, they concealed their canoes in the bushes and went inland to surprise their intended victims. Locke discovered the canoes and cut generous slashes in them where the cuts were not seen at first glance. The Indians returning from their murderous expedition, pushed off only to find themselves sinking, thereby losing nearly all their plunder, stones, and arms and making it necessary for them to escape overland, suffering many hardships and losing some of their band. Later, a party of eight came from the eastward with the express purpose of killing Locke and, surprising him as he was reaping grain in his field, mortally wounded him with his own gun, which he had left against a rock at some distance away. They then returned without doing further damage. One account says that when the Indians ran up to scalp Locke, the latter had strength enough left to cut off the nose of one with the sickle he had been using; which act was seen by one of his sons who had secreted himself in the grain." In reference to the killing of John Locke, Roy, p. 5, says: "Years afterwards, his son met a noseless Indian in Portsmouth. While they both recognized each other, we know not what ensued."

1861

• July 4, 1861 Stillman Johnson Locke born in Maine to William R Locke(May 9, 1834 - April 3, 1896, fought in Civil War [Sept. 27, 1863-August 20, 1865, Army, Private, Company B & D 30th Maine Volunteer Infantry], cause of death:val. Dis. of Heart. | Next of Kin: Jesse Noridgewock, Maine) and Mary E Locke (1842-November 29, 1909, 67 years old, father: Lawson Burnice, mother: Sara L Humy, cause of death: cancer of stomach and bowels)

1870

• Daisy Bell Goding, birth September 25, 1870 to father Absalom Goding (Mother of Louis Goding Lock, 1892); Married October 30, 1886 to Stillman Locke; Death September 20, 1903;

1892

• June 1, 1892, Louis Goding Locke born in Etna, Maine (death: December 27, 1942), to mother, Daisy Bell Goding whose husband, Stillman J. Locke, was killed by a train, on the night of March 5/6, 1905, the cause of the accident is unknown. [src: Genealogy of the Goding Family](Wyoka's Dad, employed 30 years by the E.I. DuPont Company at Morrill's Corner as a cutter, WW1 Vet, Member of Philip B. Frothingham Post, VFW) (June 1) (Married: Inez E., daughter: Wyoka, son: Gordon)

1898 - mother, Mary Josephine (Murphy) Reynolds [nickname "Happy"] born in Portland, Maine (father: Martin J. Murphy, Ireland and Mary J. O'Malley, Ireland)

? - dad, Frederick Louis Reynolds born in Pittsburgh, NH (occupation: Painter)

1905 March 5, 1905; Stillman Johnson Locke; 43 years, 8 months; North Etna Cemetery, Etna, Maine. Died of cerebral traumatism due to R.R.accident. "Bangor Daily News, March 8, 1905, Wed, Page 11: ...That Stillman J. Locke of Etna, Me., came to his death by injuries received at East Newport crossing, about 7:20 p.m. Saturday, March, 4, 1905, having been struck by a freight car on Maine Centeral railroad. Said car at the time was running detached, having broken away from the rear of extra freight train, bound west, by reason of insecure coupling appliances ,and we further find taht in our opinion the said railroad company is liable for the death of said Stillman j. Locke by reason of negligence in the handling of said car. Mr. Locke's death occured at 9:30 Sunday evening, March 5, 1905 at the hospital in Bangor. Mr. Locke leaves a family of 7 young children (oldest is 17) fatherless and motherless as Mrs. Locke died a short time ago."

1916 - September 27, mother, Mary, married Fred L Reynolds

1918 — (Wyoka's parents marry) April 7th Louis Goding Locke of Newport and Inez Estella Leeman of Etna marry

1920

• 1920 Census, Loiuis Locke, Age 26, Born 1894 in Maine, Home in 1920: Portland Ward 9, Cumberland County, Maine, Arbort Street, father's birth place: Maine, mother's birthplace: Maine, occupation: Laborer, industry: Box Factory, Wage or Salary, Rents Home, able to read: yes, able to write: yes

1921

• brother, Frederick Lewis born September 2, 1921 (3rd child)

1923 — sister, Mary Josephine born April 7, 1923

1928 - sister, Marion Grace (Tenney) born September 5 in Buxton

1930 –

• Mary Josephine passed (April 7, 1923 - May 38, 1930, 7 yrs)

• JRRSR Dec. 3 born in Buxton, Me

1931

• Notice, West Buxton, October 10, 1931:

• October 28, 1931 - February 16, 2003, ?? (NOTE: Is this the correct Fred Reynolds?) Frederick Louis Reynolds Jr. death. wife: Joan Moor (Robbins) September 1937, son: Frederick Louis III (April 20, 1963 - May 21, 2010) Military: 1842097, rank:Corporal, PASSENGER LIST, Newport News, VA,emergency contact: John J. Reynlds (father, 10 Dearborn St. Beadford, Mass) - 318th ambulance company (AD) 305th Sanitary Train, 80th Division

• Dec 3 (? 13 newspaper source), 1931; Wyoka Priscilla Locke born.

1932

1933

1934

1935

• from 19MT0731; "I remember when I was a young fellow. I was in a service. Brother Snowman's brother, Miles A. Snowman [of Palmyra]. As a little fella of about 5 years of age, I knew it was impossible. The building was probably nearly as long as from here to the back wall (30 feet). Miles was preaching and and he would take one jump and he would jump back like a deer. Two hops like that. And my mind tells me impossible for a man to do that. And then he would jump back boop, boop. And he would do that four or five times."

• May 10, 1935; "Miles A. Snowman is at home after spending the winter in Portland"

• August 9, 1935 "Livermore Falls. August 9; Miles Snowman [1st year Bible Student of Hephzibah Bible School] and Herbert Noel [May 5, 1935 had graduated from H.B.S] are conducting services at the Full Gospel Assembly, Sunday afternoon at 2:30 and in the evening at 7:30." (February 19, 1936, "Esau Role Costly for Bible Student of Livermore Falls. Giving Thanksgiving dinners to his friends, proved costly to Miles Snowman, a student at Hephzibah Bible School in Portland. ... charge of shooting more than one (3) deer ... fine $100 ... At that time, Snowman who is 24 years old, was occupying the pulpit of the Full Gospel church in Livermore Falls."."Rev. Miles Snowman, pastor of the Glen Falls, N.Y., church, "Calvary Assembly of God Church at 100 Sherman Avel, Glens Falls, N.Y. from October 1936 to 1940 before resigning to do evangelistic work. March 25, 1940 Miles was married to Agnes Mitchell of Hudson Falls, NY. In July 26, 1941, Warrensburg, NY Pentecostal Holiness church, Miles had charge of the evening services.)

I like to go to church and enjoy it. I remember when we use to go to town and daddy would get that old Model-T going. There was one little great turn in the road, it leaned like this. That old Model-T would do probably about 16, 17 miles per hour if you got it going real good. Everytime we would come to that turn I would say, 'Daddy speed em up!'. And he would floor that thing and we would go around that turn 16, 17 miles per hour. Ju, ju, ju, ju, ju, ju, And it would get hot going up the hills. We'd get into the yard and shut the thing off. And for about 50 minutes after we shut that thing off it would go chajoom, chajoom, chajoom, chajoom ….

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940 —

• 1940 Census: Wyoka P, daughter, Female, w, 8, s, yes, 2nd Grade, lived at: 1177 Forest Ave, Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, parents Rented, father: Louis G. Locke

• March 24, 1940; Church School Concert

• July 31, 1940 Madeline Carlton (who was Dec 11, 1937 7th Grade Honor Roll) goes missing from Locke home

1941 —

My brother use to work on a farm in North Stratford, New Hampshire. In fact he had the farm; had some cattle. The highway ran through the valley part of the farm, right through the center of the farm. One day we were going up the highway and saw a bunch of hawks. Some of those old pulp trucks and logging trucks had been driving through there. It was just as flat as it could be. That thing had been there so long there were some of those funny little things, you call them .... I know what you call them, I don't like them. ... I never saw an eagle sitting on the side of the highway eating dead rabbits. Fresh meat, no Wigglers... I use to watch my mother go to church and think well she is old she nothing better to do. Mother went off to church and I went my way. I thought I was living. My mother was too good, she lived like an angel in the home. ... In the first 365 days after I got saved, I got saved 365 times. I was best encouragement to every evangelist in town. ...

1942 —

• Louise G. Locke (June 1,1892 - December 27, 1942) (father of Wyoka Reynolds) death. [his wife: Inez Cole (February 2, 1895 - Janurary 3, ????), their son: Gordon L. Locke (March 5, 1936 -????), Gordon's wife: Linda J.??PLEY (?? ?? 1940 - ????), Wyoka Locke Reynolds....???....]

(*?date) (Frederick(dad), James, ?(baby), Mary (mom))

1943 Louis G Locke passes, (Wyoka's Dad) (June 1, 1892-December 28, 1943, 51)

1944 —

1945 —

1946 - Marion Grace graduated from Falmouth High School

1947

• September 1947 - January 1948 Employed at Dunsmore, Garage on Winn Road, Falmouth, Maine

  • owner? Henry F. Dunsmore of South Windham (wife clara), In Bankruptcy, listed debts of $1955.79 (Nov 15, 1955 - Portland Press Herald)

• 1947; Frederick Reynolds, (JRR SR. father) died.

1948

• January 7, 1948 - JRRSR Enlisted in the U.S.M.C. (January 7, 1948 - January 6, 1952) - Korean Service Medal

• Marion Grace Married Clifford Tenney (met: 1947, eng'd: 2/4/1948, married: 6/20/1948)

1949

• February 7, 1949; Portland; Stroudwater Minstrel Show; "Vocal soloists for the show will include Wyoka Locke, Lavendor Blue; Norma MacLeod, Come on Papa; ..."

• December 18, 1949; Portland; Pathfinders to See Pageant; DHS Choral Group to sing Tuesday; "A chorus of 32 voices from teh Deering High School Choral Group will present the Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah at the annual Christmas pageant to be given before members of the Pathfinders Club at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Deering Highschool auditorium. ... other members of the Choral group ... Wyoka Locke .."

1950

• Rev. Kirk Powers came to Fairfield, Maine in 1950 from Virginia. Worked for 1.5 years, holding services in the old creamery building. He acquired the property on 32 Water Street in Fairfield and started the construction of the church, however, lack of money prevented its completion. With the building only partially finished (just a basic structure of walls and roof), the property was sold to Paul Bowen and Kirk Powers returned to Virginia in 1952.

1951

• December 21, 1951

1952 –

• January 6, JRRSR discharged from USMC San Diego, California "KOREAN SERVICE MEDAL." (Served 4 years)

• January 14, 1952 saved |

• March 20, 1952 Newspaper announcement of planned wedding to Wyoka P. Locke "Planned as a summer event." | (current employed at Pratt and Whitney, Hartford, Conn.)

• 1952, Rev. Kirk Powers of Fairfield leaves Maine pioneer church in Fairfield and returns to Virginia.

• June 22, 1952, JRR SR and Wyoka Locke marry.

1953 Attending at ZBI

1954 Attending at ZBI

• July 6, 1954 "Miss Marilyn Bustin, who will become the bride of Richard Seavey in September, was honor guest at a bridal shower recently ... guests were ...Mrs. Wyoka Reynolds and Mrs. Inez Locke ..."

1955 – Graduated from ZBI, RI

1956 –

• Greene, Maine TENT Campbell

1957 —

• described by JRRSR as "DRY TWO YEARS" (1957-58)

• January 11, 1957; Born to Mr. and Mrs. James Roosevelt Reynolds (Wyoka Locke) of West Falmouth, a son, James Roosevelt Jr., their first child. Mrs. Inez Locke of West St., South Portland. and Mrs. Mary Reynolds of West Falmouth are grandparents.

• October 12, 1957; "Miss Jannette Shirley Coffin daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Norman D. Coffin of State Ave., Cape Elizabeth, became the bride of Pfc. Harry W. Seavey, U.S. Marine Corps, at an afternoon ceremony yesterday in teh Assembly of God Church of Portland. The Rev. James Reynolds officiated. The organist waas the Rev. L. Bernard Hinman and Miss Wyoka Reynolds was the vocalist ..." "The bridgegroom is the son of Bernard Seavey [NOTE TO SELF: find recording of Jrr Sr talking about Bernard Seavey.] of Boston and brother of Dorothy Seavey of Cumberland Center. Bernard M. Seavey of Cumberland Center brother of the Bridegroom was best man."

1958 —

• 1958 was described by JRRSR as year two of his "DRY TWO YEARS" (1957-58)

• William Branham visited Maine and JRRSR attended a prayer breakfast

• June 30, 1958, David Louis Reynolds was born in Portland, Maine Medical Center, "To Mr. and Mrs. James R. Reynolds (Wyoka Priscilla Locke) of Cumberland County, June 30, David Louis, their second child. Mrs. Inez Locke of Portland and Mrs. Mary Reynolds of West Falmouth are grandparents."

19810818T "I had been fasting for 4 days for the tent meetings in 1958 ... I would see great things in New England" ... IN 1981 >> "Bill Wilson, missionary, was just in California at a prayer meeeting and someone prophesied that God had heard prayer and was going to send Revival and it is going to begin on the East Coast in New England." -- JRRSR

• 1959 —

• June 30 to July 12; Revival Tent Meetings; Location West Cumberland, ME., One half Mile from gray Rd., on Blackstrap Rd. Services Nightly 7:30 Except Monday from June 30 to July 12; All People of All Churches Welcome; Speaker, Evang Jim Reynolds

1960 –

• Stephen Gordon Reynolds born January 28, 1960 in Syracuse NY.

1961

• March 18, 1961, "United Four Square Womean of the Cavalary, Four Square Church of Gardiner ... Gwendolyn Howard

1962

(image: JRR Sr., JRR Jr., David, Stephen and Wyoka)

• Tammy Lee Hersey (Reynolds) born April 5, 1962; death May 3, 2012; buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Buxton, Maine

1963 —

• January 23, 1963, Westbrook, Maine, Mark Andrew Reynolds born.

• March 14, 1963, at Brunswick, Maine "Right Hand of Fellowship was Extended" to new embers Harold and Gwendolyn Howard

• Wyoka Reynolds passed away (Dec 3 (? 13), 1931 - June 27 1963, 31 years old) & buried at Evergreen Cemetery (Sec-CC Lot-89 Grv-5). Mrs. James R. Reynolds. Falmouth. Mrs. Wyoka Priscilla (Locke) Reynolds, 31, wife of James R. Reynolds of Falmouth died suddenly thursday evening while visiting at Buxton. She was born in Portland, Dec. 13, 1931, daughter of Inez Estella Cole Locke and the late Louis Locke. She was a member of the Pentecostal Church and was a former member of the Woodfords Chapter of the Rainbow girls. Besides her husband and her mother, she leaves four sons, James R. Jr., David, Stephen and Mark; a daughter, Cheryl Lee; a brother Gordon Locke, Westbrook, and a half-brother Arthur Leeman, Etna. Funeral Services will be at 1 p.m. onday from the Neal Funderal home, State St., Gorham. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Portland.

• Picture below date circa late 1963-64 (NOTE: date via M.A.R "I'm the baby, I'm in Pam's arms, David in front of me and Jim and stephen front middle"); image file was titled "aunt-happy-and-grandchildren.jpg"

1964 –

• June 28, 1964; "David Reynolds passed away June 28, age 5, of 164 Winn Road, when the car driven by his father in which he was a passenger left Route 17 in Readfield and rolled over into a stream. He was born in Portland, June 30, 1959, the son of Rev. James and the Late Wyoka Locke Reynolds." [NOTE to Self: Where was JRR Sr. headed?]

• July 7, 1964, Tuesday; Beverly Anne Howard and her fiance, the Rev. James Reynolds of Falmouth, were honored with a prebridal shower Tuesday evening at the Brunswick assembly of God church rooms given by the Women's Missionary Council.

• July 11, 1964, Saturday; James Roosevelt Reynolds, Sr. was married to Beverly Anne Howard-Reynolds at the Brunswick Assembly of God. Mrs. Howard is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Howard of Gardiner.

1965

1966 —

• August 5 - 21, 1966; Tent Revival Crusade with Evangelist James R. Reynolds; The Tent is located Cor. Rte. 1 and Westbrook St. South Portland, Maine; Nightly at 7:30 Except Monday; The Blind See, the Deaf Hear, The Lame Walk, The Sick healed; Come Hear the Gospel preached for all people for all churches; [Originally advertised as Aug 5-14, but later advertised as Aug 5-21]

• August 29, 1966; PPH; Monday; Page 13; Police Ambulance Calls: ... 9:20 am to 37 Kellogg St. to take James Reynolds Jr. 10, to Mercy Hospital: nail in foot. [IS THIS UNCLE JIMMY?]

1967 —

• 1967, Deliverance Center Founded

• June 23-July 9 1967; Tent Revival Crusade; Evangelist James R. Reynolds; The tent is located Just off Exit 8 of maine Turnpike, Portland, Me.; Services Nightly 7:30; The Messages will be on Bible truth; The End Time- The Revelation for this Time; The Signs of the Time: The Content of ths Revelation; The Bible says "At Evening Time it shall be light" prayer for the sick nightly; The Blind See, The Deaf hear, The Lame Walk, Theh Sick Healed; For all People and all churches;

• July 2, 1967, Article was written in the Portland Press Herald, "Old time Religion, Local Style, Whips Up Followers" by William Langley https://www.newspapers.com/image/848514515/?match=1

1968 —

• May 31 - June 16 1968; Tent Revival Crusade; Evangelist James Reynodsl of Portland, Maine; at Exit 8(Riverside St.) maine Turnpike, Portland, Me. Services Nightly 7:30 (except Monday); Sunday Afternoons 3 p.m.; The Message will be on Bible truth; prayer for the sick nightly; God is Honoring by Bible by healing the sick. For all People and all churches; Listen to teh Hour of Deliverance Broadcast WLOB, Sunday 8 a.m.

• August 5-26 Earl Seeley Tent Meeting @ Corner of India and Newbuary Sts. Portland

1969

• (Beverly's mother), Gwendolyn Elaine Howard passed (September 25, 1915 - January 28, 1969)
• reported on February 8, 1969 Royal Realty of Portland sold land and buildings on Congress St to Deliverance Center
• April 5, 1969 Hour of Deliverance was Broadcasting on WGHM
• Deliverance Bible Instute was started
• 1969, Jul 16, Advertised that Rust Wellington would sing in the Tent setup on Riverside Street in Portland near Exit 8 (now 48) & David Walker Preaching

1970 —

• April 28, 1970, Daniel David Reynolds born.

• June 26 - July 5, 1970; Tent Revival Crusade; Rte. 1 Yarmouth, Maine, Just off 95; Evangelist James R. Reynolds; Services Nightly 7:30 except Monday; Pray for the Sick. Bring the Sick and See them healed; The blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk; For all People and all churches; Transportation provided by the church, nightly from Portland. For information call the Deliverance Center, 774-8192

• August 12-19, 1970; Tent Revival Crusade; With the World-Known Evangelist "Little David". The tent is located on Warren Avenue - near Maine turnpike, Portland Maine; Nightly 7:30 pm; "Little David" will be preaching, singing - praying for the sick; For all People and all churches; Rev. James R. Reynolds, Pastor

• August 20-23, 1970; Tent Revival Crusade CONTINUES With Calvin Rogers, Evangelist. The tent is located on Warren Avenue - near Maine turnpike, Portland Maine; Nightly 7:30 pm; God is performing great miracles bring the sick and see them healed. For all People and all churches; Pastor James R. Reynolds

1971 —

• July 23 - August 1, 1971; Tent Revival Crusade; With the World-Known Evangelist "Little David". The tent is located just off Congress St. (Beside Arlans in Portland Shopping Center) Services nightly at 7:30; ; "Little David" will be preaching, singing - praying for the sick; God's Evangel in Song - Rusty Wellington; For all People and all churches; Rev. James R. Reynolds, Pastor

• August 20-29, 1971; Tent Revival Crusade; Riverside Drive, Augusta; Nightly 7:30; Old Fashioned prayer for the sick for all people and all churches

1972

1973

1974 —

• July 19-28, 1974; Tent Revival Crusade; The Tent is located in Portland on Warren Ave. Just off Exit 8; There will be preaching - Singing - Instrumentals -Praying for the Sick - with Evan. and Mrs. Kenneth MacDonald. For all People and All Churches; Pastor, J.R. Reynolds

• August 2 - 4, 1974; Tent Revival Crusade; The Tent is located in Portland on Warren Ave. Just off Exit 8; There will be preaching - Singing - Instrumentals -Praying for the Sick - Rev. J.R. Reynolds; For all people and all churches; Pastor James R. Reynolds

• August 8-10, 1974 Tent Revival Crusade; The Tent is located in Portland on Warrent Avenue Just off Exit 8, Maine Turnpike; There will be preaching - Singing - Instrumentals -Praying for the Sick - Evangelist Vinal Thomas; For all people and all churches; Pastor, James R. Reynolds

• December 16, 1974; Evening Express; Page 6; James R. Reynolds, Jr., 17, of Congress St., red light, Congress and Valley Streets, $20.

1975 —

• June 16, 1975; Evening Express; Portland High School Graduation; James R. Reynolds, Jr.

• July 18-27, 1975; Portland; Tent Revival Crusade; The Tent is located in Portland on Sewall St - Thompson Point Road; There will be Preaching - Singing - Instrumentals - Praying for the sick; The Blind See - The Deaf Hear - The Lame Walk; For all People and All Churches; Evangelist, J.R. Reynolds

• ADVERT DATE: July 30, 1975; "CONTINUING TENT REVIVAL CRUSADE; There will be Preaching - Singing - Instrumentals - Praying for the sick; The Blind See - The Deaf Hear - The Lame Walk; For alll People and All Churches; Evangelist, J.R. Reynolds"

• ADVERT DATE: August 7, 1975; "CONTINUING TENT REVIVAL CRUSADE; Portland; Tent Revival Crusade; The Tent is located in Portland on Sewall St - Thompson Point Road; With Evangelist Freddie Clark from Winter Haven, Florida nightly at 7:30 PM; There will be Preaching - Singing - Instrumentals - Praying for the sick; The Blind See - The Deaf Hear - The Lame Walk; For alll People and All Churches; Pastor, J.R. Reynolds

1976 —

• July 2-11, 1976; Island Falls; Tent Revival Crusade; A Tent revival crusade, sponsored by the Bethel Pentecostal Church of Oakfield - Smyrna Mills, will be held July 2 through 11 at the rear fo the new municipal building. Evangelist J.R. Reynolds of Portland will speak nightly at 7:30 PM. The public is welcome.

• August 13-22, 1976; Portland; Tent Revival Crusade; The Tent is located in Portland on Sewall St - Thompson Point Road; There will be Preaching - singing - instrumentals - praying for the sick; The Blind See - The Deaf Hear - The Lame Walk; For alll People and All Churches; Evangelist, J.R. Reynolds

• August 25-29, 1976; Portland; Tent Revival Crusade; Nightly 7:30; The Tent is located in Portland on Sewall St - Thompson Point Road; There will be Preaching - Singing - Instrumentals - Praying for the sick; The Blind See - The Deaf Hear - The Lame Walk; For alll People and All Churches; Evangelist, J.R. Reynolds

1977 —

• Jrr Sr. heart was healed healed at Smyrna Mills, ME

• July 22-31 Tent Revival in Norway, Maine

• August -14- 1977; Tent Revival Meeting in Abington, Mass

• September 6, 1977; Evening Express; Traffic Cases; James R. Reynolds Jr. 20 of congress Street, 70 in 50 m.p.h zone. Rte. 26-100, Falmouth, $35.

1978 —

• July 28 - August 6, 1978; Tent Revival Crusade; Evangelist James R. Reynolds; Nightly 7:30 PM; There will be preaching, singing, instrumentals, praying for the sick; Tent at Speedway 95 Fairgrounds Odlin Rd., 2 miles south of Bangor, take Hermon Exit Off I-95.

• August 18-27, 1978; Tent Revival Crusade; Evangelist James R. Reynolds; Tent is located on Sewall Street - Thompson Point Road - from Out of Town take I-295 to Congress STreet West to Sewall Street; There will be preaching - singing - instrumentals - praying for the sick; Morning Bible Studies, Prayer and Praise 10:30 am; Bible Study 11 am; End Time Truth and the Bride of Christ; For all People and All Churches

• September 7-10, 1978; Tent Revival Crusade; The Tent is located in Portland on Sewall Street, Thompson Point Road; There will be Preaching-Singing and Praying for the Sick; Evangelist W.A. Ward, from Richmond, Virginia; 7:30 Nightly; For all people and all churches; Pastor, James R. Reynolds

1979 —

• August 24 - September 2, 1979; Tent Revival Crusade; Nightly 7:30 PM; the tent is located in portland on lower preble street near Water. from out of town take I-295 to Forest Avenue or Franklin Street Exit. There will be preaching - singing - instrumentals - praying for the sick; Come and hear Miracle healing Testimony Friday, Aug 24, 7:30 PM; Leg Lengthened 2 1/2 inches by a miracle of God. For all people and all churches.

• 1979, November 6, Tuesday; Evening Express;Minister and son facing charges. On Monday, November 5, 1979, three persons including a Congress Street minister andhis son, were arrested yesterday in conection with a nincident in which a repossessed car was reported stolen by it's former owner and two officers were assaulted. According to Detective Daniel Ross, the Rev. James. R. Reyolds, 48, of the Deliverance Center, 1008 Congress St. was charged wihtobstructing government administration yesterday afternoon. Ross said Reynolds was interferring wiht the arrest of Paul Reid of Gorham after police stopped Reid on Forest Avenue at Morrill's Corner. Reid was charged with theft and operating after suspension. Ross said Reid's car, a 1976 Ford Thunderbird, had been repossessed eralier after his wife, Mary, had parked it in front of Portland City Hall. Mrs. Reid reported the car stolen at 2:20 p.m. Depositors Trust Co. had Tri-State Brokers repossess the car and deliver to their fenced parking lot at 80 Bell St., Ross said. Patrolmen Michael Cavallaro and Allan McIntire spotted thecar on Forest Avenue about 4:15 p.m., pulled it over and arrested Reid. Reynolds was arrested when he interferred wiht the arrest of Reid, Ross said. Reynolds son, James Reynolds Jr., 22, became very upset taht his father was being arrested," Ross said, and refused to leave the area.Young Reynolds was charged withassault after allegedly hitting McIntire onhis shoulder wiht Cavallaro on hisarm, Ross said. Young Reynolds then ran toward Westbrook College, Ross said,. Cavallaro gave chase and threw his nightstick at Reynolds legs and missed. Reynolds picked up the night stick and continued running. He was later charge with theft of thenight stick. Reynolds was arrrested soon after inisde the WEstbrook College Library. Besides the two counts of assault and one count of theft, young Reynolds was charged wiht obstructing government administration.

• 1979, November 13; Complaints Filed against police; A Portland minister, his son, and a Gorham man have filed complaints against two Portland policeman who arrested them November 5 [1979]. The complainents are the Rev. James R. Reynolds, 48, and james R. Reynolds, Jr., 22, both of the Deliverance Center, 1008 Congress Street, and Paul Reid, 24 Daniel Road Gorham. The complaints stem from an incident that began with questioning of Reid, who was driving a car taht had been repossessed that day and then reported stolen. Reid claimed the car was his and shouldn'thave been repossessed, police said. The incident allegedly started at 3:30 p.m. in parking lot at King's Fish & Chip Unlimited, 1129 Forest Ave., near Morrill's Corner. Police said an altercation ensued in which thy arrested the Rev. Reynolds for alleged interference during their attempt to question Reid. Then Reid, and finally young Reynolds, who ran from the scene and was taken into custody inside a building at nearby Westbrook College, were arrested. According to Lt. Edward Guevin, internal affairs officer the complaint filed this week by the Rev. Reynods "apparently alleges discourtesty and excessive force against one of the officers." [this is only halft the article, TODO: type the rest https://www.newspapers.com/image/853236957/?terms=%22James%20Reynolds%20Jr%22&match=1]

1980 —

• August 30? -September 7, 1980; Tent Revival Crusade; with Evangelist, James R. Reynolds. The tent is located in Portland on Sewall St. - Thompson Point Rd.; There will be preaching, singing, instrumentals, praying for the sick; The Blind See - The Deaf hear - the Lame Walk; salvation - healing- miracles; for all people and all churches

• March 1980, L.K. Powers (30 years old) comes to Fairfield, Maine, contacts owner Paul Bowen of 32 Water Street (partially constructed church building by his father Kirk Powers in 1950s), remodels the building in a matter of 8 weeks and establishes the Fairfield Full Gospel Assembly by May of 1980. By December 1984, Paul Bown of Belfast transfered a deed to the Fairfield Full Gospel Assembly church, Inc. land on the east side of water street.

• June 5, 1980; Evening Express; Thu, Page 16; https://www.newspapers.com/image/852803370/?terms=%22James%20Reynolds%20Jr%22&match=1 Suspended Cop files grievance;... The Internal Affairs Unit of the Portland Police Department andAmorosohave also resolved charges made last November by the Rev. James Reynolds and hisson, James Reynolds Jr., against officers Allan R. McIntire and Michael Cavallaro ...

1981 —

• March 14, 1981; Evening Express; Marriage Intentions; James R. Reynolds Jr., 1008 Congress St., and Sherry L. Rodney, 19 Atlantic St.

• March 21, 1981

• September 1981, After being open for 1 school year, Landmark Christian Academy closed with 22 students returning to Oakland public schools. Due to fear of potential government interference with unlicensed school may threaten the existence of the church itself.

The Deliverance Bible Institute will hold its annual convention and graduation services in the new church building at 1008 Congreess St. With the school's president, Rev. James Reynonlds, are, front, Patricia Bernard, Agnes Morton, and Tammy Hersey; and rear, Mark Reynolds and Stephen Reynolds. The convention services will open Friday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m.; continue Saturday, May 23, at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.; and Monday, May 25 at 10:30 am. and 2 p.m. Graduation willl be held at 7 p.m. Speakers will be Dwight Johnson, South Bend, Ind.; Michael Free, Indiana; Rev. Clayton Alward, Monmouth; Rev. James Pettingale, Old Orchard Beach; Rev. Keith Powers, Fairfield, and the Rev. Russell Pier, Charleston."

• June 19-28, 1981; Tent Revival Crusade; Tent is Located in Portland on Sewall St, Thompson Point; Speaker will be Evangelist Keith Powers from Fairfield, Maine; Nightly 7:30 PM - preaching - singing - instrumentals - praying for the sick ; for all people and all churches; Pastor, James Reynolds

• July 3-12, 1981,; Tent Revival Crusade; Campmeeting; The tent is located in Medway. Off of the I-95 exit -across from the Texaco Station; There will be preaching, singing, instrumentals, praying; July 4th services 2:30 and 7:30; bring a picnic lunch and stay for the evening service; Coming July 3rd Evanglest J.R. Reynolds, Nightly 7:30; the blind see - the deaf hear - the lame walk; Pastor Vinal Thomas; salvation - healing- miracles; for all people and all churches

• July 24-August 2, 1981; Miracle Tent Revival Crusade; Nightly 7:30 PM with Evang. James Reynolds; Salvation - Healing - Miracles; Camp Meeting Atmosphere, Sign gift Ministry, Sickness and Needs revealed by the gift of the Word of Knowledge. "The Blind See ... The Deaf Hear ... The Lame Walk ..." Corner of Pushaw Road sponsored by Faith Assembly of Bangor, 947-4680, 989-4292; Rev. Phillip Robinson, Pastor

• August 24-30, 1981; Tent Revival Crusade; The tent is located in Portland on Sewall St. - Thompson Point Rd.; There will be preaching, singing, instrumentals, praying for the sick; Evang. Keith Powers from Fairfield, Me; salvation - healing- miracles; for all people and all churches nightly 7:30 PM; Pastor James R. Reynolds

1982 —

• March 15, 1982; Fairfield Full Gospel Assembly changed its legal name to Riverside Assembly, Inc. (charter#: 19820003 L) and filed articles of Incorporation 3/14/1985 [church pioneered by Kirk Powers in 1950-52 and construction completed by his son, Loyd Keith Powers, in 1980. Building later torn down and built bigger by son, L. Kieth Powers.]

19820525 Spring Convention and Graduation Monday in the New Church Building. Special speakers will be: evangelist Dwight Johnson of South Bend, Indiana, who will speak at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; the Rev. Keith Powers of Fairfield will speak at 10:30 a.m. Saturday following at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Clayton Alward of Monmouth; Pastor James Reynolds will speak at 11 a.m. Sunday; and the Rev. Robert Gogan, of Danforth will speak at 10:30 a.m. Monday and the Rev. Wayne Dailey of Everett, Mass., will speak at 7 p.m...

• June 8, 1982; Stephen Gordon Reynolds marries Tammy Lee Hersey;

• June 25 - July 4, 1982; Tent Revival Crusade; The Tent is located in Portland Sewall St. Thompson Point Rd; From out of town take I-295 to Congress St. West to Sewall St.; Preaching - Singing - Instrumentals - Praying for the Sick; Evang. James Reynolds from Portland, Me.; Salvation - Healing - Miracles; Nightly 7:30 PM; For all people and all churches.

19820820 Council Gives OK to put up gospel tent. By Danielle Pemberton, Correspondent. Yarmouth — After a public hearing last night, town councilors granted the Deliverance Center, Inc. of Portland permission to erect a gospel tent at Bennet Field tomorrow through August 30 [1982]. ...

19820924-26 Dedication. The Hartland Full Gospel Church will have its formal dedication ceremonies Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept 24-26. Friday evening's service begins at 7, with the Rev. David Bean presenting the mediation and special music. Saturday dedication services are at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., with the Rev. Bernard Black as speaker and Mr. and mrs. Elmer Faloon providing special music at both services. Sunday activiites begin with Sunday school classes convening at 10:30 a.m., worship at 11:30 a.m. and an evening Evangelistic service at 7. The Rev. James Reynolds will preside at both services. Special music will be provided by the Deliverance Center in Portland. Additional activities include an open house from 3-5 p.m. at the church with free coffee and doughnuts served. A supper will be served Saturday at 5 p.m.

1983 —

• 19830402 Sunrise Service, City Hall Plaza April 3 at 7 am

19830527 "Annual Spring Convention and Deliverance Bible Institute Graduation. May 27 thru - (Memorial Day) May 30. Special Speakers: Fri, Sat, Sun 7 pm Evang. Jimmy Pittman, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia; Saturday 2:00 p.m. Rev. Kieth Powers, Fairfield, Maine.; Sunday 11 am Pastor James Reynolds; 3:00 pm Street Meeting; Monday 10:30 am Rev. B.A. Elliot; 2:00 p.m. Faculty & Students; 7 pm Graduation; Graduation will be held in the church. Limited accomodations, call for reservations. First come, first served. meals will be served on a free-will offering plan. Everyone is invited — Pastor James R. Reynolds. The Deliverance Center. 1008 Congress St., Portland, Maine 04102, Tel. 774-8192"

• 1983, June 3-12, "Salvation, Healing, & Miracles. Tent Revival Crusade. Tent Located at Fish Park in Athol. Services Nightly - 7:30 p.m. Speaker: Evangelist Jim Reynolds of Portland, Maine. for information call: 249-3311. Sponsored by the Body of Christ Fellowship of Athol and Orange. Public invited - Everyone Welcome"

• 1983, June 16-23, "Salvation, Healing, & Miracles. Tent Revival Crusade. Tent Located on South Athol Rd. near Conant Rd. Services Nightly - 7:30 p.m. Speaker: Evangelist Jim Reynolds of Portland, Maine. for information call: 249-3311. Sponsored by the Body of Christ Fellowship of Athol and Orange. Public invited - Everyone Welcome"

• 1983, July 9; Tent Revival Crusade with Evang. James R. Reynolds in Portland, July 8-17, 1983; Salvation - Healing - Miracles; For all people and all churches; Preble St. Extension off Marginal Way next to I-295; Nightly 7:30 PM

• 1983, September 2 - 11; The Tent is located in Portland on warren ave/ off Exit 8; nightly 7:30 pm; wit Evang. J.R. Reynolds; Salvation - Healing - Miracles; The Blind See - The Deaf Hear - The Lame Walk; For all People and all Churches

• 1983, September 5; A group of youths pelted the Tent Revival Crusade with rocks during a sermon. According to police reports, rocks were hurled at the tent about 8 p.m. A few rocks ripped through the canopy and fell among the members of the congregation, though no one was hurt. Several members of the congregation ran outside and caught some boys who had been throwing the rocks. The youths were released to their parents.

• 1983, September 14; At mercy hospital, James Roosevelt III and Jina Rose, born Sept. 14 to James and Sherry Rodney Reynolds, Jr., 1008 Congress St.

1984 —

• January 14, 1984; James Roosevelt Reynolds, III, 4 months, of 1008 Congress Street, died Saturday at his home. He was born in Portland, the son of James and Sherry Rodney Reynolds. Besides his parents, he is survived by two sisters, Jina and Kristin Reynolds; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rodney; paternal grandparents, The Rev. and Mrs. James Reynolds; maternal great-grandparents, Mrs. Rose Rodney, and Mr. and Mrs. George Kennedy; and paternal great-grandmother, Mrs. Mary Reynolds, all of Portland. A graveside service was held today (January 16, 1984) in Pine Grove Cemetery, Falmouth.

• 19840421 Sunrise Service April 22 7 am.

• May 25-28, 1984 "Annual Spring Convention and Deliverance Bible Institute Graduation"; Graduates are Robert Derocher, David Walton, Richard Derocher, Edgar Devoid, Joyce Reynolds, Laura Vlk and Steve Carpenter.

May 25-28, 1984 Spring Convention
Friday	7:00 PM	Rev. Wallace Heflin
Sat	2:00 PM	Rev. Keith Powers of Fairfield, ME
Sat	7:00 PM	Rev. Wallace Heflin of Richland, VA
Sunday	11 am	Pastor James Reynolds
Sunday	3 pm	Street Meeting
Sunday	7 pm	Rev. Wallace Heflin
Monday	10:30 am	Rev. B.A. Elliot
Monday	2 pm	To be Announced
Monday	7:00 PM	Graduation Rev. Heflin

• August 27 - September 3, 1984; Tent Revival Crusade; Sept. 3 @ 2pm Rev. Keith Powers; The tent is located in Portland, Riverside Street next to Wicks Lumber off at Exit 8 of Maine Turnpike take a right 1/4 mile just before Warren Ave and Riverside Street intersection. Sunday services: Sunday School; 10 am; Morning Worship 11 am; Street Meeting 3 pm; Evening evangelistic 7 pm; The gifts of the Spirit in operation; salvation - healing- miracles; Rev. Robert Gooding; for all people and all churches; Pastor James R Reynolds

Sept 28,29,30 & Oct 1 1984 Fall Convention
Friday	7:00 PM	Rev. Forrest Peaco
Sat	7:00 PM	Rev. Clayton Alward
Sunday	11 AM	Pastor James Reynolds
Sunday	3 pm	Street Meeting
Sunday	7 pm	Rev. Stephen Reynolds
Monday	10 am	Rev. B.A. Elliot
Monday	2 pm	Ministers Present
Monday	7 pm	Rev. Robert Cole

• Revival Services, Evangelist Mike Feree from Corydon, Indiana; Friday, Saturday, Sunday 7 PM. Mike is a dynamic and inspiring preacher of the Gospel. Come and let Mike minister to you from the Word of God and through the anointing of the Spirit. October 19, 20,21 The Deliverance Center 1008 Congress Street Portland, Maine Everyone is Invited.

1985 —

• July 7 - 14, 1985; Tent Revival Crusade with the Well-known evangelist "Little David"; The tent is located in Portland Riverside Street next to wicke's lumber, 1/4 mile form exit 8, Maine Turnpike; nightly 7:30 pm

1986 —

• 1986, March 30; At Mercy; Deanna Leigh born March 30 to james and Sherry Rodney Reynolds, 17 Avon Place.

• April 12, Victory Chapel, 67 Hill Street, Biddeford is hosting its montly fellowship meeting at the church Saturday, April 12, at 7 pm. Guest Speaker for the service will be James Reynolds pastor/evangelist, who head the Deliverance Center in Portland and also is founder and president of the Deliverance Bible Institute. --- Pastor Joel McLain at 283-0304.

1986 - May 23 THRU - (Memorial Day) May 26 Spring Convention
Rev. W. Heflin comes to us from Richmond, Virginia. he is a world-wide missionary evangelist with a prophetic ministry for God's people. He also is the director of the camp meetings in Ashland, Virginia.
Friday	7:00 PM	Rev. Wallace Heflin
Sat	2:00 PM	Rev. Clayton Alward
Saturday	7 pm	Rev. Wallace Heflin
Sunday	11 am	Pastor James Reynolds
Sunday	3 pm	Street Meeting
Sunday	7 pm	Rev. Wallace Heflin
Monday	10:30 am	Rev. B.A. Elliot
Monday	2 pm	T.B.A
Monday	7 pm	Graduation - Rev. Wallace Heflin

• (notice given july 24, 1986) thru July 30, 1986; Tent Revival Crusade; nightly 7:30 PM; Gospel Tent is located in Scarboro on the Payne Road, just past the Mall WAtch for sign. Evang. Frank Siciliano; Salvation - Healing - Deliverance; For All Churches and People; Everyone Welcome; Jesus Christ the Same; Yesterday, Today and forever Heb. 13:8 (also another advert had John 3:15 instead)

1987 – Bangor Tent, TL(H)R Svd (? cannot be right date for this 10/20/2023) | DBI Graduation held May 22-25 (preachers: Dwight Johnson & James Williams)

• June 12-22, 1987; Norway Tent Revival Crusade; Route 26, accross from oxford plaza; 7:30 pm nightly

• August 21 - 30, 1987, Tent Revival Crusade, 369 Warren Ave.; Evang. James R. Reynolds; Evang. Stephen G. Reynolds; nightly 7:30 pm

1988 -

1989

1988 –

• April 5, 1988; AT Maine Medical Center; Barbara Elizabeth, born April 5 to James and Sherry Rodney Reynolds, 164 Winn Road, Falmouth.

• Tent Revival Crusade; Nightly at 7:30 PM; September 2 Thru 11, 1988; The tent is located on Rt. 111, Alfred Rd., Arundel; Get off at exit 4 of Maine Turnpike, Take a Right and go Approx. 4 miles the Tent is on your left; The Blind See - The Deaf Hear - The Lame Walk. Evangelists: James R. Reynolds and Stephen G. Reynolds singer: Mark A. Reynolds; For all people and all churches; Pastor, Bernard Elliot

1989 – Scarborough Tent Revival; Dwight Johnson is conducting a tent revival crusade at 7:30 p.m. nightly through Sept. 4 opposite Beech Ridge Speedway, Two Road Road. Mark A. Reynolds is vocalist. The crusade is sponsored by the Deliverance Center.

1990

• 1990, January 3, Windham, Maine, Inez Estella Locke (Leeman ?? Cole), death;

• August 24 - September 3, 1990; Tent Revival Crusade; 7 PM Nightly; the tent is located just off I-295 on Marginal Way, Portland, Maine; Friday & Saturday - Pastor Wayne Dailey of Everrett, MA; The Blind See - The Deaf hear - The Lame Walk; Evang. James R. Reynolds - Evang. Stephen G. Reynolds - singer Mark A. Reynolds; For all people and all churches

1991 March 24, Article Written in the Boston Sunday Globe "The Age of Miracles"

• August 21, 1991, Saturday, 2:39 a.m., Daniel David Reynolds, 23, found in an apartment building hallway dead. Patrick S. Coombs, 21, arrested hours later.

1992

• August 7-16, 1992; Tent Revival at Waterville's Head of Falls. Evang. L.K. Powers helping with preaching.

1993

1994

• August 17, 1994, Lewiston Tent Revival

• October 1-4, 1994, Fall Convention

• October 24, 1994, Samantha Lynn Charest born. Grandparents: Earl and Gwendalyne Howard, Gardiner; Mr. and Mrs. James Reynolds, Portland.

1995

• January 6, 1995; Mary Josephine Reynolds, 96, died Friday at her home 1008 Congress Street. She was born in Portland, daughter of Martin and Mary O'Malley Murphy, and attended local schools. Funeral preached by Rev. L. Keith Powers.

1996

1997

1998 — Greenfield, Mass Tent Revival, July 17-24

1999

• August 27 - September 6, 1999; Sewell Street, Thompson's Point Portland Maine. Evang. L. Keith Powers, McGaheysville, VA

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005 — Falmouth Tent Revival at American Legion Hall

2006 — August 26, Vinal Thomas Tent Revival in Wells, Maine

2007 — July 6-15, Lewiston, Kennedy Park Tent Revival

2008 - Beverly Passed Away (April 23, 1945 - August 21, 2008)

2012 - May 21, Passed away | May 24, Buried at the New West Baldwin Cemetery, West Baldwin.

2016 —

2020 - Marion Grace Tenney passed away (September 5, 1928 -April 11, 2020)

2022 -

Article on Same-Sex Marriage

Wednesday, March 28, 2001

Portland panel recommends domestic-partner registry
http://www.unmarriedamerica.org/members/news/2001/dpnarch/dpnewsarchive-03212001-03282001.htm

A story published today in the Portland Press Herald reports that Portland, Maine may soon join 41 other U.S. communities that officially recognize gay couples and unmarried heterosexual couples as families.

A City Council committee on Tuesday voted 2-1 to recommend that the city establish a registry to give committed couples new legal status as domestic partners. The proposal will go to the full council on May 7 which will hold a public hearing and vote on the proposal.

Portland's registry would give domestic partners some of the same rights as married couples such as visitation at city health facilities, access to children and their records at public schools, and eligibility for any city programs or benefits offered to traditional families.

Gene Rochow is a gay man who urged the councilors to recognize the commitment between him and his partner of 10 years.

"We co-own our house. We have a joint checking account. We share everything that we can, and if we were allowed to get married we would," Rochow said. "It just doesn't seem fair to have absolutely no recognition of that."

Kate Perkins said she is raising a son with her partner, the boy's biological mother. Perkins said, she does not have the right to attend parent-teacher conferences, see the child's school records or approve medical treatment. "(The registry) would make a profound difference in our lives," she told the councilors.

The proposed ordinance however, would not extend rights such as visitation and treatment decisions at Portland's privately run hospitals. City Attorney Gary Wood said the city only has authority over public health-care facilities.

In addition, part of the ordinance granting access to children and records in city schools would still have to be adopted by the Portland School Committee.

The registry would be open to same-sex couples or unmarried male-female couples who pay $15 and proclaim they live together in an exclusive relationship "of mutual support, caring and commitment."

Supporters said they hope Portland's stand will help convince other communities, and private institutions, to expand their definitions of family too.

"It's a good and right thing to recognize these couples who make families in Portland," said the Rev. Marvin Ellison, a Presbyterian minister and Christian ethics professor in Portland.

Opponents of the registry also spoke to councilors Tuesday.

"This comes at a time when our society is crying out for a strong family value and structure," said Paul Volle of the Christian Coalition of Maine. It sanctions adultery and sex outside of marriage, he said.

The Rev. James Reynolds, pastor of the Deliverance Center in Portland, portrayed the idea as immoral. "This country of ours is fast moving toward the judgment of God," he said.

Councilor Peter O'Donnell, sponsor of the ordinance, had initially considered a companion proposal giving preference to hiring city contractors that extend family benefits to domestic partners. The idea of  favoritism and preferential treatment faced broader opposition and was officially dropped by councilors Tuesday.

Most city councilors have already said they are leaning toward supporting the registry. O'Donnell and Tom Kane voted in favor at Tuesday's meeting of the Health and Human Services Committee. Jack Dawson, the third councilor on the committee, voted against it but suggested he may support an amended version.

 

Impressions of a Travelling Tent Revival - Greenfield, MA

Kelly Taylor
Essay #1-Observation of a Ritual
July 28, 1998

 

Impressions of a Travelling Tent Revival

As soon as I saw the flier in the parking lot of Big Y in Greenfield, I knew this was the ritual to attend. What caught my attention was the caption: "SALVATION - HEALING - MIRACLES" and below it "THE BLIND SEE - THE DEAF HEAR - THE LAME WALK." I was expecting hundreds of people sweating and exhorting the name of Jesus, like on TV, but it was a very New England crowd and very tame. The tent was by no means filled to capacity, and in many ways the service was like any other Christian gathering I had been to. However, there were distinct differences.

Description

The Tent

I arrived a bit after the service had begun, but it was still daylight. The tent was set up in the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield, just as it is in the photo on the flier. Beside the was parked the 18-wheeler truck with REVIVAL CRUSADES in red on the side, along with the slogan "SALVATION - HEALING - MIRACLES" and the names of the Evangelists. There were large flood lights pointing out into the parking lot that were turned on as it got dark. The tent was medium-sized - about the size of a wedding tent - made of a rusty-gold canvas with blue and red seams and re-inforcements on the inside.

Inside the tent there were four sections of wooden, metal and plastic chairs, seating for about 100 or so. The seats were by no means fully occupied, yet there were people on blankets behind the last row of seats and slightly outside the tent. There was a sound booth draped in red cloth in the center behind the seats. I sat outside the tent at the end of the left hand aisle.

The altar was set up like most churches, but the most significant thing was that there was no actual altar, no table used for the ceremony of the bread & wine that is normally the center of Christian worship. The altar area, or stage, as it more accurately should be called, was backed with a red curtain, hung from about head level. There were stands of speakers on the front of both sides of the stage. On the left was a large organ played standing up, on the right was a keyboard. Both of these were played by women who also sang. In the center of the stage, in the back, was a row of metal chairs with green plastic foam padding, like are seen in many restaurants. The preachers that were not speaking, and the "special singer" and guitar player sat on the chairs, but not all were occupied. Behind the young keyboardist was an electric fan, and behind the older organist was a basket of fake flowers.

The Audience

There were less than 100 people in the audience, most of whom were women in their 30's, senior citizens, and children under 10. There were few if any young people over the 10-12 age range, and very few young adults between 18 and 30. Almost all of the women were dressed very effeminately in long dresses or skirts (below knee length), and I saw at least 3 females (2 who may have been twins in their early 30's or late 20's and one girl of about 10) wearing denim jumpers with T-shirts underneath, white socks and Keds-style tennis shoes. Nearly all the women were with men (all of who seemed to be their husbands) and at least one child, though most seemed to have 2 or more children. The few women I saw that were not sitting with men were, I learned later, the wives of the musicians and preachers on stage.

On a blanket beside me was a group of 2 women and 1 man, all of whom appeared to be in their mid-20's. The man had a tatoo around his ankle, one woman had multiple piercings in her ears and a leather beaded pouch around her neck. All three were dressed much more casually and more contemporary than the other attendants I could see, and they left early.

The majority of the women who were dressed in more traditional "church clothes" wore makeup, had their hair fixed in elaborate buns and pony tails, and those with babies and small children spent a great deal of time walking around with them behind the tent. At around 9:30 many of the babies were crying and bored, and the women and big sisters spent more time outside the tent with them. Towards the end I noticed a girl of no more than 10 (the one mentioned previously as wearing the denim-skirt "uniform") came towards the back with an infant on her hip. She was clearly used to taking care of the baby as she carried him easily and could hold him one handed while she picked up a chair and moved it further away from the row of seats. She sat and played with him in the back until I left. Only one man repeatedly took his children out of the tent to entertain them, one of the few non-white audience members with two small children of about 3 and 4.

The majority of the audience was white, which is not too unusual for this part of Western Massachusetts, though there was one family of African and/or Hispanic heritage and a few other African-Americans scattered around the audience. They did not seem to be discriminated against by the preacher's daughter whom I saw herding several children in and out of the tent, including the little girl of the Afro-Hispanic family.

The Preachers

There were three preachers that spoke at different instances during the service: the two featured Revivalist Evangelists, and a local Greenfield preacher who made it clear that although he was affiliated with one particular church in town, he was not limited or strictly loyal to the philosophies of that group. His role seemed to be merely that of a local contact person, and perhaps the person responsible for bringing the Revivalists to town. Within the service the only role he played was to encourage the locals to donate money at the end of the first hour of the service.

Evang. Stephen Reynolds Sr. was a balding, middle-aged man whose primary role in the service seemed to be to get everyone "warmed up" for the collection of money and to emphasize the unity of the group, depsite the mulit-denominational makeup of the audience. His focus was not on specific moral attitudes, but on the generally accepted "standard" beliefs of Christianity. He only spoke at the begining of the service, before the local preacher and after to introduce the main speaker, Evang. James Reynolds, Sr.

The senior Evangalist was an enthusiastic man in his 60's, and very theatrical in his preaching style. The older Reynolds had what sounded like the typical well-educated upper class deep south accent. He was a slightly toned-down "fire and brimstone" type preacher, focusing on the Biblical events of the crucifixion, "real life" stories about sinners, visions of Hell, and "saving" members of the audience. He seemed to be the least concerned with alienating people with his specific view of what Christianity should be by making moralist statements about homosexuality, dancing and drugs, and illustrating the benefits of disciplinary beatings. He made it clear throughout the night that both he and his son Mark, the guitar player, had been great sinners in their pasts. He himself had been in the Marines and told a story about stealing a car at the age of 17 or 18 while in the Service. He also mentioned being beaten by his mother with a large stick. He seemed to not be upset by this, but rather approved of it.

In addition to the preachers there 4-6 young men, most of whom were dressed in white shirts, ties and dark pants, and were clearly part of the travelling Revival. They worked the sound booth, adjusted the tent flaps and acted as audience plants for the preachers to focus on. They probably also had some sort of security-guard role, as they constantly patrolled the outer edges of the tent. Occasionally they would sit with some of the women in dresses with babies.

The Service

I came late, so I can only guess that the younger of the two Revivalists, Steven Reynolds, Sr. spoke at length at the begining of the service, as he was just finishing as I arrived. Then after a song with much audience participation (singing, arm waving, shouting and tambourine playing) the local Greenfield preacher, whose accent and speaking style sounded a great deal like Bill Clinton, took the stage. A microphone was used at all times by each of the speakers.

He made some vague statements and exhortations about how all of Massachusetts should be Christian, but denomination is irrelevant. After some very effective excited and tearful repentance and sorrowful asking for forgiveness with lots of audience agreement and participation, he quickly changed the tone of his preaching by saying it was "happy time." Cheerful wordless music started and he told everyone to stand up, at which point I noticed some of the assitant revivalists pulled baskets out from behind the organ.

Unlike most church services I've seen, the format of this collection involved the audience members coming up to the stage and putting a donation into the basket at the preacher's feet. The preacher asked that even if you don't have money, to put your hand over the basket and give "the gift of yourself" to the Lord. He was also careful to point out that checks were payable to the Deliverance Center. At this time it was also stated that tapes of the guitarist Mark Reynolds, clearly a relative of the preachers, were on sale.

After the collection, the stage was given back to the younger Reynolds man, who introduced the older one who was the main speaker of the night.

The theme of the evening's preaching seemed to be the metaphor of Jesus taking our beatings for us, which he illustrated with at least four different stories in which the perpetrator of a crime is relieved of punishment by another person. The older Reynolds preacher started his sermon with several stories comparing God and religion to the medical profession and doctors. His overall point was difficult to determine, though there was a great deal of verbal support from the audience.

Next he read from the King James edition of the Bible, judging by the "thee's," "thou’s," and "-eth's." After the reading he asked his wife to pray. At this point the organist woman who had moved to the back, stood up directly in front of me. She was in her 60's with a grey beehive, wearing a fuschia dress, white jacket and white shoes. She started praying in a plaintive tearful voice, requesting that someone in the audience be born again that night, looking for one person to convert, asking God to "not let them leave" in a loud whine. As her voice got louder and more tearful her message became more & more vague. There was minimal audience affirmation of the "Amen" and "Praise Jesus" variety. Throughout her several minute speech, I could see that she was gesturing with her right hand, and her left was holding the upper arm of a small toddler of about one year whom she sat on the chair beside her when she stood. As she finished one of the denim-dressed women holding a baby of about 5 or 6 months came and sat beside her, passing the preacher's wife the younger baby and taking the older one onto her lap.

Then the preacher began a long confusing story about a Boston woman who was on "drugs," and her two sons who killed the boy who was selling her the drugs. The end result of the story was that although one brother actually killed the boy, the other brother went to prison in his place.

He began talking about having a "wrong heart" and "the law of sin" and "the devil using it to deceive me," however it was unclear whether or not this was part of the story about the two brothers or his own experiences, however, it elicited a great deal of audience response. Between the end of that story and the next, he quoted the Bible, specifically Paul, talked about sin being "black and hideous," briefly recounted the story of the Tree of Knowledge from Genesis and how this is the cause of all of the "evil, wicked nature we were all born with." He claimed that an example of this evil nature is the"evilest, filthiest sin is this homosexual society," but equated it with all sin saying "sin is sin and sin is death." At this, as there had been throughout, there was great audience response, shouting agreements, people waving arms in the air and praying.

He then described the vision of a preacher named William A. Warden who prayed for a vision of Hell, and was allowed by God to go to Hell in spirit only. He described in great detail the visions he saw there, acting out the various parts to much audience approval, ending with a re-enactment of Warden’s vision of Judas roaring "Leave me alone!"

Next he told another near-death story of a man who was supposed to be hung at the tolling of a bell, but he was saved by the woman who loved him. She took advantage of the deafness of the bell-ringer, and hung onto the bell so that it didn't ring. Again he acted out her holding on to the bell and swinging and being shaken violently from side to side. Several times he repeated "the sentence was not executed," comparing the actions of the woman to those of Jesus. His grammar began to take a back seat as he shouted repeatedly to the audience"You was chosen!" Again, there was a great deal of audience responses, both verbal ("Thank you Jesus! Amen!") and non-verbal (hands waving in the air, heads bowed or thrown back in ecstasy.)

After he made the comparisons between these characters and Jesus, he began describing heaven in great detail, with the people chanting agreement and approval in a low monotone after each word, phrase, or sentence. He began pointing to the audience screaming that we are all sentenced to die. He then told an apparently irrelevant story about how his mother used to beat him with a stick with "splinters flying" in order to "straighten him out."

This seemed to lead into his description of the Crucifixion of Jesus, begining with a story about the Roman soldiers flogging Jesus with a whip or cat-o-nine tails and giving him "39 stripes" with it. Here again the preacher’s voice became theatrically low and intense as he repeated the phrase "forgive them for they know not what they do" which is said by Jesus in the Bible once he is already on the cross. He then gave a very gory telling of the Crucifixion, which I am sure everyone in the audence had heard many many times. The focus of this retelling was the fact that Jesus was given 5 wounds which somehow corresponded to the letters G-R-A-C-E, which stand for "God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense." He repeated this phrase three to four times to audence clapping, calling out things like "What a Savior" and "Praise Jesus!"

After this, he again told a story that could not have taken place any more recently than the 1950’s or 60’s in which the school bully took a whipping in place of the boy who stole his own lunch. The story was rather poignant, but the preacher was sobbing and wailing, leaning on an audience member in the front row as he finished the story, and although this was the fourth story along the same theme, the audience still responded with much enthusiasm as the preacher continued crying and hugging the audience member, who may or may not have been one of his staff members. Many of the audience members, though some were Revivalist staff or family, had their heads down in prayer, and at this point Reynolds asked the rest to put their heads down as well. Most did, but I noticed his wife did not.

Reynolds "recovered" though still emotional, began asking the audience at large to be saved, for anyone who hadn’t already been saved to do so. He claimed "I take the Savior’s position tonight." After a few moments he said, again tearfully "Can’t you see what he’s done." He asked someone or everyone to "revive the fire, the spark of life." Then he began requesting that anyone there who was a "friend, a backslider, a cold and indifferent Christian" to raise their hands. He repeated this 2 times in the exact same words and tone of voice. After no response for several minutes, he began saying "quickly upwards, God’s speaking to you" meaning himself in the "position" of Jesus. He emphasized that this was the "opportunity to be saved."

Finally, after a few people had raised their hands, he asked all who had done so to stand. They did reluctantly, including his wife, who had not had her hand raised. He then calls them to the "rail" of the stage, and about 9 people came to the front, mostly men, but a few women and at least one middle-aged husband-and-wife couple. His wife had gone to the organ and was playing a very sombre dirge-like tune as he made small comments to encourage people to come up, at one point saying "someday it will all end."

Next the preacher asked everyone who knew without a doubt they were ready for heaven to stand, but that anyone who had not been born again and saved should remain seated. He then called everyone not standing to the altar to be saved, and the musicians began playing and singing a song many in the audience knew, and they sang along also. After the song, he told everyone else to sit, and for everyone to pray with him in a call-and-response format. The prayer was short consisting of him saying "I will read the Bible," "I will pray," and "I will attend the house of God," and the audience repeating it back to him.

He asked us all to pray aloud, and his wife started making orgasmic prayer noises and expressions, there was more singing and arm-waving, and the preacher began his crying and wailing again as he prayed over the new converts.

Abruptly he stopped and thanked everyone for coming, told how glad he was that he had come from Virginia, and asked the new converts for their names and addresses so he can "send some material to help you." As this seemed to be nearing the end of the service, and the lateness of the hour, I left as they began singing again.

Analysis

The entire service seemed to have less of an effect than what the preachers were hoping. The energy level being put out by the preachers and other Revivalist members was not matched by that of the audience. I am not sure if this is because of the specific message being preached that the native New Englanders did not agree with, or if they were just not the right "type" of audience.

The audience was not silent, however, and it was clear that they were actively participating in the service, some more so than others. There were times when the responses seemed to approach what Reynolds was seeking, but at no point was there any threat of an audience member bursting into hysterics or having visions or anything that is described in some instances of tent revivals.

For the most part the audience seemed very much caught up in the ritual, especially during times when there was singing and praying out loud. I think the preachers all expected a larger turn-out, judging by the number of chairs set out, and more active audience participation when he was calling for people to be saved.

There were very few objects used in the service and really none that could be percieved as symbols relevant to the beliefs of the audience. The baskets used to collect the money at the begining were small, wicker, and not lined with anything. There was nothing unusual in the way the preachers were dressed–all wore dress shirts, ties and dark pants.

The red curtains behind the stage could possibly be seen as significant, the color of the blood of Christ, perhaps, although I did not witness the ceremony of the bread and wine traditional to most Christian denominations. It is also possible that the travelling nature of the group, the starkness of the tent and stage, and the lack of symbols was meant to draw attention to the words and being spoken by the preachers, and intentionally avoid any symbolic images. Perhaps this is why the audience was not as taken away by the service as one might expect.

The largest symbol presented by the preacher was of himself as the Christ, which I think may have played a part in dampening the audience response. If he had been more believeable as a Christ-figure, then perhaps there would have been more people willing to come to the altar to be saved. The impression I got of the older Reynolds preacher was of rather fanatical, narrow-minded, perhaps even violent men who could cry on command. Though I am not a Christian, I do not think this is many people’s impression of Jesus.

I think that if I had been able to talk with audience members, specifically those who were in the group who were called to the altar to be saved, I might have gotten a better understanding of what the ritual meant to those who were actively participating. Very few people seemed unhappy to be there, or displeased with the service at large. Perhaps the people who went up to the altar were actually experiencing a life-altering moment, though I will never know.

 

Testimony from a Broken Man

To the family in Christ at the Del. Institute,

My name is Lateef.  I am writing you from the confines of Cumberland County Jail.  I was recently incarcerated here for a violation of probation which I was placed on in July of 2000.  I was arrested on July 5^th for failing to adhere to the guidelines of probation.  I got a new charge for assaulting a man.  I am telling you all this to be open and honest with my brethren.  If I have left out any pressing details or if you have any questions on my legal matters, feel free to ask.  I have been shown by the Lord that honesty gets results.

Moving on, the most miraculous part of my stay has been that the last 2 months I have lived behind bars, I have been spiritually revealing in no small way.  But before I describe the joy and freedom I have been feeling (though I am physically confined), I would like to tell you somewhat about myself.

I am from Maine.  I was born here in Portland at the MMC. Most of my life I have spent living in the greater Portland area (except some months I lived and worked in Sacramento, CA. St. John, V. I., and Dorchester, MA as a youth).  My family is rooted here and considering the amount of energy I put into "escaping" Maine, I feel God always brings me back to remain.  So, I have finally surrendered.

At a very young age I was a rebel.  Pushed and pulled against every authority in front of or around me. Home life wasn't too peachy, so at the age of 14 I was running away, spending time in group homes, on the streets, and a lot of time at the Maine Youth Center. (crimes like assault, car thefts, and vandalism)All the time using marijuana or alcohol, or any other form of intoxicant.

Yet even during these times there seemed to be a "threshold" of evil .I would not cross.  Looking back I would say that I always knew in my heart that there was a God.  Even though satan had a stronghold over me with a number of his vices and delusions (money, drugs, woman, * anger)  The Lord had a protective Angel over me, and He blessed me with a real strong conscience and compassion for others.  I ran with a pretty wild bunch who are all doing real time in the Maine State Prison in Warren.  In fact there is four of us, I am the only one left who is not doing or facing serious time for a serious crime.  This is not coincidence!  When I was released from the "Youth Center" at age sixteen, I sincerely wanted to stay out of jail.  Yet I did not want to give up my sinful vices: marijuana, alcohol, women.  What I figured was that if I settled down with a strong woman and try to stay focused.  I would not go down the road that I watched so many of my brothers and  elders go down.  You see at 16 I was deemed "pretty intelligent" even "mature" for my age.  And if I do say so myself … I was a pretty good ACTOR.  Opart of the reason today I battle with pride.is because people around me praised me so, but they never saw the scared little tramp inside me.  

So I bamboozled an older woman into falling in love with me (I was 16 she was 23).  She lead children (I have none of my own" previously, and I spent the next six or seven years destroying all their lives with my

infidelity, abuse, addictions, and frequent trips to the hoosegow.  Last summer  "01 my now 3x-wife finally had enough and got the strength to say enough is enough.  We had been to counseling, churches, she went to the military, I went to the nuthase, and twice I had run away from her and the kids to California, only to come back to Maine and rekindle the sick little frame.

Well, something finally "gave" as they say, (Here's the good part), towards the end of our broken relationship, some vfriends (read Angels) brought me to a little storefront church in Brunswick.  I was living in

Bath at the time off and on with my ex-wife, and we were desperate.  So I walked in tho Life Tabernacle Pentecostal Church.  The Pastor  there,  Michael White, and I hit it off real great.  But everything was strange to me.  All my life I prided myself on "being a man,"  I was intelligent and mature for my age and I "didn't cry."  I don't know.  I walked through those doors during a mid-week service and I never felt so much at home.  All those years I spent running and running, and running.  I finally felt like I didn't have to run anymore.

I cried, I cried. I cried.  It took some time.  My wife encouraged me to enroll in college. (SMTC)  I went to Life Tabernacle and cried.  Yet I still did not get it.  I went to jail .  My wife left me, I cried.  Man, every time I walked in that church I cried.  That was all last fall. "01 and winter until July 5^th.  God was calling.  I was still running though.  And honestly it was my pride.  I thought I "had it." It was like God had shown me all He could give me: an apartment of my own, a heautiful church family, a job with the bosses'favor (I was promoted to assistant manager ikn 30 days), and He even allowed me to be on speaking terms with my ex and her children.  (She has since moved from Maine * we don't tal, but I pray for her and I know God portects them.)  Well after God blessed me with some stability and I finally felt like I could be on my way … You know the rest.  I wanted to drive.  My. Prideful told God that He could "run things from here."  Thanks God but I got it" that was probably late February or early March of this year.  Needless to say my church attendance went down.  I barely held my job.  I lost my apartment, and Mr. Man was seeking worldly things again, mariuauna, booze, women.  I went from somewhere to nowhere fast in a few months flat.  Then I came to jail in July.  For valiantly coming to the aid of a friend who was being attacked (insert laugh here) I was furious.  "God, what was the point!"  "It was all your fault."  "Why didn't you just give me what I wanted!"  I was hoppin mad at God.

What a fool!  I can't believe He even wanted to deal with me any more.  He sent me to jail to protect me from me…  to protect me from satan and the world.  Then not only did He send me to jail, He sent me a man.  A pastor away from home:  Gregory Lee.  This brother set me straight.  God blessed Greg with wisdom and Mr. Lee gave me some.  For my first three days here in C.C.J. all I wanted to do was lash out at my circumstances.  

 I wanted to control somebody.  Make God pay for what I felt He did to me.  It's amazing the Lord didn't smote me right there.  Really miraculous the patience God showed with His angry little Mr. Pride.  Greg told me one word.  OPPORTUNITY.  Greg told me this was an oppo9rtunity to grow.  To strengthen my life's walk.  The man said yea I could go to the library and work out my mind, or I could go to the gym and build my physical muscles.  I could do either of those (and I did) but what he said next stuck.  Greg told me the biggest opportunity I would benefit from is to strengthen my spirit.  OPPORTUNITY!

After that my hunger for His Word, His Holy Word, came back.  I was reading the Bible and praying and even fasting again.  I couldn't do those things before, because I was trying to use my will.  I couldn't finish High School or College because I was trying to use my will.  My marriage didn't hold together and I couldn't keep my finances together, or keep my apartment because I didn't have the power.  He did.  All that time He spent trying to get me to see that He loved me and wanted me to have my hearts desires, but I had to surrender to His will.  Mr. Pride could NOT DO IT!

I want to be a teacher.  I want to go into psychotherapy (counseling) and I wold love to be a minister someday.  

All three are possible.  I just have to do it.  God's way.  Him first.  And I want to start when I leave here.  I honestly do not know when that is.  (I don't even have a court date yet.)  But patience is going to have her perfect work in me.  The sixty or so days I have been here, have been like hours.  I will wait on God.  I believe He wants me to attend your courses there at the Deliverance Institute, of course, you all will have to feel it in your hearts to accept me.  I do not know the protocol.  All I know is what Mr. Lee told me that was enough.  I have no responsibilities at this present time .  My only obligation is my commitment to Jesus.  And as I understand, you folks are big on commitment.  If you would be so kind to send some literature and please … any and all questions you have for me.  God will guide and I will answer them as best and honest as I can.  I will also be sure to correspond often (ifyou are so willing to receive such wretched scrawlings), so that you all can be a little more familiar with the kind of man God has created as well as what's going on in my legal standings.  I understand Mr> Lee is cast in a good light there at the institute, so please feel free to ask him of his opinion on me.  I'll inform him not to hold back.  (I told you my head is pretty big.)  I pray I will meet the good brothers and sisters there at the Deliverance Center in a more personal way.  On however God's basis of the visit will be, I look forward to it.  In the meantime…..  God's love and God bless.  Lateef.

 

After thought: Feel free to call Pastor Michael White in regards to my testimony.

721-0797

Life Tabernacle in Brunswick

Building New DC Building

• May 22, 1980

• December 11, 1980, Permit Pulled

• May 28-31, 1982, Spring Convention

Birthday Thoughts

Jana LePage

This is the man that would give anything to help people and see souls saved. His life has been dedicated to the service of the Lord,now its time for us to honor him for the life he's lived and show him our appreciation. Let's make it a good turnout people!! Show him we love him!!

Douglas Taylor

I am in Lewiston preaching the gospel tonight at the Jesus Party. My Friday nights are like Sunday services to most people. However I would not want the night to go by without greeting & giving honour to my friend James Reynolds. The times we sat on the platform together are in my memory forever. Thank you for taken interest in my ministry and assisting me over the years with your fellowship, prayers, and support. Happy Birthday !

Friday at 4:20pm · Like ·  1 person

Carlene Falkenberg

What is the mailing address to send something??Love ya, Carlene

Christina McCalip

hello auntie my husband, gideon and myself will be attending..i am working on the daddy..:) hope he will!!! :) love ya!!

November 8 at 9:02am · Like · Comment

Jessica Lee Carle

hi aunt cheryl i am coming but Ben will be in Africa so we wont be there and i am sure you already know about my dad too :( but my children and i will be there for sure :)

November 7 at 4:15pm · Like · Comment

Cheryl LePage Thank you jess... this is what I am hoping people will do... Letting us know really helps... Love you lots... I know how it feels about the hubby... mine will be in Africa too... I wish I could be in the Crusades... wonderful things that God is doing in the land of Africa. People are starving for the Word of God and are reaching out... Here in America we are satisfied... Love you see you in a couple at Thanksgiving...

November 7 at 6:34pm · Like

James Burnham

bro reynolds family is like a second family to us and has always been there for us and is a real sole winner for jeues .....and i thank god for having a pastor like james reynolds that preaches the truth ....ps me and mom and my wife will be there

Lockhart Di Paolo Sr

Due to our schedule, we will not be able to make it.

Cheryl LePage

Please make your reservation here or right your comments if this man's life or ministry had influenced your life. Need to get things together... Reserving the hall and food and planning the program itself... Need you to do your part to help us by stating if you are coming and or leaving comments.

Donna Derocher

If he didn't bring the tent to hooksett nh when my mother was 23 years old...i would'nt be where i am...my mother was saved in hooksett under that tent and when i turned 23 is when i meant bro james reynolds..who is now my pastor.i am blessed to know him and a gift from GOD he has been to me...the life he lives is a testimony to all who don't know JESUS one look in his face and you see JESUS...eyes of love and compassion you see for the lost...I LOVE YOU PASTOR REYNOLDS and THANK-YOU FOR ANSWERING THE CALL:):):)

James Burnham

bro reynolds is a great man of god caring for lost souls And i have known this family for years am so very glad to have him for my pastor

Tommy Peters

i grew up with out a dad pastor reynolds was like a dad to me when i needed some one to talk to some one to here my crys he was there but he told me how it was he has been there every time i needed a friend

Nola Van Horr

Yes, I'd love to see you as well as celebrate my past pastors B-Day! Can Everett Horr (my brother) come and my boyfriend? Nola van Horr (Better known as Enola Horr)

Aaron Aldrich Me. And nikki would love to come, it realy would hurt to not come. What a honor it is to have a pastor as us. He is more than just my pastor, he is my friend.

James Burnham

bro Reynolds is a great man of God

Cheryl LePage

I love my Daddy... The steady Guide of our lives... the Rock, the Greatest influence along with Mom unctioned by the Holy Ghost.

Cindy Wolverton Catalano I'd truly, truly, truly like to be there...My son Mike is on his way home from Africa because of serious back trouble and I have to pick him up at the airport on Fri and I don't know what time he is due in, yet.

---

  

1. Cheryl LePage
2. tonight is the night please try and make it out...

Friday at 7:19am · Like · Comment

• Matthew K. Baker likes this.
• 

  

3. Jana LePage
4. This is the man that would give anything to help people and see souls saved. His life has been dedicated to the service of the Lord,now its time for us to honor him for the life he's lived and show him our appreciation. Let's make it a good turnout people!! Show him we love him!!

Thursday at 6:46am · Like · Comment

• Matthew K. Baker, James Burnham and 2 others like this.

• 

Douglas Taylor I am in Lewiston preaching the gospel tonight at the Jesus Party. My Friday nights are like Sunday services to most people. However I would not want the night to go by without greeting & giving honour to my friend James Reynolds. The times we sat on the platform together are in my memory forever. Thank you for taken interest in my ministry and assisting me over the years with your fellowship, prayers, and support. Happy Birthday !

Friday at 4:20pm · Like ·  1 person

• 

  

5. Cheryl LePage
6. Please Join us!!!!!

December 1 at 1:58pm · Like · Comment

• Priscilla A McNelly Torella likes this.
• 

  

7. Cheryl LePage
8. Pastor James Reynolds Sr
   C/O Cheryl LePage
   12298 Skyhawk Dr
   Waynesboro, PA 17268

November 9 at 8:13am · Like · Comment

  

9. Carlene Falkenberg
10. What is the mailing address to send something??Love ya, Carlene

November 9 at 7:44am · Like · Comment

• 

Cheryl LePage Thank you Carlene for asking.. I put the address in a different posting and didn't realize it didn't show up here...
We need to catch up sometime... Love you...

November 9 at 8:14am · Like

• 

Cheryl LePage Pastor James Reynolds Sr
C/O Cheryl LePage
12298 Skyhawk Dr
Waynesboro, PA 17268

November 18 at 9:24am · Like

• 

  

11. Christina McCalip
12. hello auntie my husband, gideon and myself will be attending..i am working on the daddy..:) hope he will!!! :) love ya!!

November 8 at 9:02am · Like · Comment

  

13. Jessica Lee Carle
14. hi aunt cheryl i am coming but Ben will be in Africa so we wont be there and i am sure you already know about my dad too :( but my children and i will be there for sure :)

November 7 at 4:15pm · Like · Comment

• 

Cheryl LePage Thank you jess... this is what I am hoping people will do... Letting us know really helps... Love you lots... I know how it feels about the hubby... mine will be in Africa too... I wish I could be in the Crusades... wonderful things that God is doing in the land of Africa. People are starving for the Word of God and are reaching out... Here in America we are satisfied... Love you see you in a couple at Thanksgiving...

November 7 at 6:34pm · Like

• 

  

15. James Burnham
16. bro reynolds family is like a second family to us and has always been there for us and is a real sole winner for jeues .....and i thank god for having a pastor like james reynolds that preaches the truth ....ps me and mom and my wife will be there

November 7 at 1:15pm · Like · Comment

• 

Cheryl LePage Thank you so much for responding Bro James we look forward to having you share in our celebration. God Bless you!!!

November 7 at 1:17pm · Like

• 

  

17. Laurie Reynolds-Wadsworth
18. My whole family

October 19 at 5:17pm · Like · Comment

  

19. Lockhart Di Paolo Sr
20. Due to our schedule, we will not be able to make it.

October 16 at 4:05pm · Like · Comment

• 

Cheryl LePage Oh I am sorry. If anything changes please try. Love to see yo all!!!

October 16 at 11:11pm · Like

• 

  

21. Cheryl LePage
22. Please make your reservation here or right your comments if this man's life or ministry had influenced your life. Need to get things together... Reserving the hall and food and planning the program itself... Need you to do your part to help us by stating if you are coming and or leaving comments.

September 19 at 6:38am · Like · Comment

• 

Cheryl LePage 

Donna Derocher

If he didn't bring the tent to hooksett nh when my mother was 23 years old...i would'nt be where i am...my mother was saved in hooksett under that tent and when i turned 23 is when i meant bro james reynolds..who is now my pastor.i am blessed to know him and a gift from GOD he has been to me...the life he lives is a testimony to all who don't know JESUS one look in his face and you see JESUS...eyes of love and compassion you see for the lost...I LOVE YOU PASTOR REYNOLDS and THANK-YOU FOR ANSWERING THE CALL:):):)

James Burnham

bro reynolds is a great man of god caring for lost souls And i have known this family for years am so very glad to have him for my pastor 
ps mom and i would be defly a

Tommy Peters

i grew up with out a dad pastor reynolds was like a dad to me when i needed some one to talk to some one to here my crys he was there but he told me how it was he has been there every time i needed a friend
about

September 19 at 5:36pm · Like

• 

  

23. Nola Van Horr
24. Yes, I'd love to see you as well as celebrate my past pastors B-Day! Can Everett Horr (my brother) come and my boyfriend? Nola van Horr (Better known as Enola Horr)

September 11 at 9:34am · Like · Comment

• 

Cheryl LePage Please message me addresses... personal formal invites will be going out.... this is just to see how many would be interested and if we should get a hall or not... Please invite anyone you know of that has been touched by this ministry and we will send the invites in the very near future...

September 11 at 9:40am · Like

• 

Aaron Aldrich Me. And nikki would love to come, it realy would hurt to not come. What a honor it is to have a pastor as us. He is more than just my pastor, he is my friend.

November 30 at 8:23pm · Like

• 

  

25. Scott Henderson
26. YES, I AM ON THE LIST, I SIGNED UP WHEN MARSHA WAS INVITING, LET ME KNOW IF I CAN DO ANYTHING.

September 9 at 7:02pm · Like · Comment

• 

Cheryl LePage Thanks for your offer to help... right now we are just trying to find out how many would like to attend then we can send out personal invites and it will help us to plan properly w/o either over doing or not having enough....

September 9 at 8:38pm · Like

• 

  

27. James Burnham
28. bro Reynolds is a great man of God

September 9 at 4:20pm · Like · Comment

  

29. Cheryl LePage
30. I love my Daddy... The steady Guide of our lives... the Rock, the Greatest influence along with Mom unctioned by the Holy Ghost.

September 9 at 10:57am · Like · Comment

• 
• 

Cindy Wolverton Catalano I'd truly, truly, truly like to be there...My son Mike is on his way home from Africa because of serious back trouble and I have to pick him up at the airport on Fri and I don't know what time he is due in, yet.

December 1 at 4:58pm · Like

• 

Jessica Lee Carle Sis. Catalano that is awful!!!! i will be praying for him. If you need anything let us know.

December 1 at 10:58pm ·

---

Liz Pottle 

Bro Reynolds sermons are the best of the very best! No matter what he preaches about, it is the BEST!! It is always good because he has the life behind it. He preaches the word, he lives what he preaches.
He is like a great artist, he begins with a blank canvas but by the time he's finished, he has painted a beautful picture! We are all so blessed to have him for our pastor.
I've had pastors that could bring good sentences together but their lives were far from what the word taught. But Bro Reynolds not only preaches great, but you can know that he is living every word that he tells us to live. He is truly a man that touches God for the people. It makes me laugh how some people will go elsewhere to church, but let them get in trouble or get sick. Then they all call for Bro Reynolds. I thank God for our pastor, we need to keep him in our prayer.
Don't waste your time with people or pastors that just play church. Such a waste of time, be real, God only sees and hears what is real. Thank you God for the best pastor ever!!

Workers of Deliverance Center

• Sister Burke

Deliverance Center About Us

  Welcome to

Deliverance Center

A Bible Preaching Church since 1967

 

1008 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04102

 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES:

• Sunday School…10 a.m.
• Sunday Morning….11 a.m.
• Sunday Evening…..6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday Bible Study…7 p.m.
• Friday Youth Meeting….6 p.m.
• Saturday Teen Meeting….6 pm.

(the last Saturday of each month)

• Street Meetings….Daily at 5 p.m.

 

 

www.deliverance.me

207-774-8192

 

Pastor: Rev. Stephen G. Reynolds, Sr.

Assistant Pastor: Rev. Stephen G. Reynolds, Jr.

 

 Pastor Rev. Stephen G. Reynolds, Sr. come to Portland at six years of age with his father Rev. James R. Reynolds, Sr. For over 40 years he worked side by side with his father at Deliverance Center and its various ministries. In 2012, Rev. Stephen Reynolds, Sr. was honored to take the pastor-ship at Deliverance Center.

 

The late Rev. James R. Reynolds, Sr., founded the Deliverance Center in 1967, with the aid of several volunteers. In time, Rev. Reynolds' own family members have become a part of daily functions at the Deliverance Center along with several very dedicated volunteers.    

 

Initially, the Deliverance Center helped and worked for the transformation of alcoholics and drug addicts. This focus is especially seen in its name, as being a place of deliverance from alcoholism or drug addiction. 

The Deliverance Center was also established as a local church at that time.   

Then, in 1969, it expanded to include an educational facility. The first of its schools, Deliverance Bible Institute, was established to train young adults for Christian service in a three-year course.

We are a Bible believing church located off the I-295 Exit 5A ramp headed  towards downtown Portland Maine.

 

“It is the

Mission

of Deliverance Center to

preach and teach

the gospel as Jesus did

& to

live

the gospel as Jesus lived it.”

Tenets of Faith

We Believe:            

1. In the plenary inspiration of Scripture.

2. In the absolute Trinity of the eternal Godhead.

3.   In the pre-existence and deity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

4.    In the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit.

5.   In the vicarious atonement through the death and resurrection of our Lord.

6.    In complete salvation by grace through faith.

7.    In the life of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.

8.    In water baptism by immersion.

9.    In the observance of the Lord’s Supper.

10.   In tithing as God’s financial plan for the church.

11.   In the Bible revelation of Divine healing.

12.   In the personal Baptism of the Holy Ghost as received by the Apostles.

13. In the gifts of the Holy Ghost.

14.  In the Church, which is the Body of Christ composed of spirit-filled Believers.

15. In a four-fold ministry to the Church for the perfecting of the Saints.

16.  In the Bride of Christ which is composed of Overcomers out of the Body of the Church.

17.  In the personal and imminent return of our Lord.

18.  In the everlasting punishment of the impenitent.

19.  In eternal life for all true Believers.

20.  In the millennial reign of Christ.

 

 

Memorial by Son Stephen

Rev. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

Deut. 32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

 12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.

 

Prov. 30:18 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

 19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

 

Psalm 45:9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

 

1John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

 

Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;                                                        36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

 

Re 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Re 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Re 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

 

Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

 

Ps 126:1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.

 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God’s Harvesters

The Goal is set --- HIS WILL--- Now, Finish HIS Work

John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

1. The Harvest is now ready     FIELD     look, what do you see?
   1. Lift up your eyes
   2. look on the fields
2. The Workers are now ready FEW ready to work --- many unwilling
   1. Vision to work – see Jesus’ love/conduct speaks /character wins
   2. Aim to harvest souls  -  know Jesus - make Him known       keep/love
   3. Action in the field           know truth      make truth known   keep/life
      1. Partake of His Nature     II Pt. 1:4
      2. Partake of His Holiness Heb.12:10

1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

3. The Message is now ready FULL

Moses --- Ex 25:40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.     Ac 7:44; Heb 8:5

David --- 1Ch 28:10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.                                                                                                                                               11  David = Solomon his son the pattern 12 pattern  of all by the  spirit,  

4. The goal is already set,

Ps 56:10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.

11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Ps 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Ps 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

1. The problem is many are setting their own goals

True character arises to make the unchangeable decision to reach that goal.

1. To make it a possibility,
   1. There is a character in this spirit that produces a determination that will continue to be the envy of many and will be the history lesson of instruction in many of our conversations as long as we live!

   With/without argument/family, friends and even enemies, reach for the set goal!

    The determination to reach that goal began with a call! A call from the voice of God that is high and set apart from any other voice!

    God’s eternal influence is what ignites the flame of experience in true salvation, that rapidly expands in the soul until it reaches the level of an uncontrollable anointing! This anointing puts a mighty soldier on his feet in diligent search of every spiritual weapon we need to accomplish what the call has set before us!

TO REACH THAT SET GOAL!!!

    Then proclamations that even the regions of Demons and the Devil can hear.

     We cannot Stop now. We must reach the Goal! Now, FINISH THE WORK

 

• Is that the heat of the desert I feel pressing around us? then instantly the determination and anointing would say; No matter what, we will trust for his refreshing, we must fight on!

 

• Is that the cold of the winter pressing hard against us? But then the same resolve! It never wavers. No matter what. We will look for the warmth of his Love, we must fight on!
• Is that the darkness of the night pressing on us call for a light. We cannot stop now we must press on, we must reach the goal, we must fight on.
• Is that the evening shadows falling? Is that the certain sound in this day?

1Co 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

• Is that the sun coming up , if he wasn’t under a vehicle he was on his knees praying, and in both cases some had the priviledge of being their with him many times and we have precious memories, but best of all we have that mind for the goal, Reach the Goal, now, finish His work,   FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH

 

Are the rocks of the steep mountainside cutting and hurting our feet? The resolve never fails! Again we must say;MAKE MY FEET LIKE HINDS FEET we will find the healing of his Grace to make it to the TOP! We Must Fight On!

 

We are left  TO FINISH THE WORK.

 

 

 

2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

 13  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

2Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m Nearer Home

I'll WALKED WITH GOD THROUGH ALL THESE YEARS
THROUGH FLAME AND FLOOD THROUGH PAIN AND TEARS.
I'LL FOLLOW HIM HIS (voice)WILL OBEY
I'M NEARER HOME THAN I WAS YESTERDAY.

Chorus
I'M NEARER HOME THAN I WAS YESTERDAY
I'M CLOSER TO GOD ALONG life’s narrow WAY.
EACH STEP I TAKE EACH PRAYER (THAT) I PRAY
I'M NEARER HOME THAN I WAS YESTERDAY

THE FLEETING CLOUDS THAT SWEEP THE SKY
THE WHISPERING WINDS THAT CHILL AND DIE.
THE SHIFTING SANDS ALL SPEAK TO SAY
YOU'RE NEARER HOME THAN YOU WERE YESTERDAY.

 

Twas a day in early springtime

1. 'Twas a day in early springtime,
   By an ancient wayside well,
   Eliezer paused to rest his camel train.
   He had found a bride for Isaac
   Ere the evening shadows fell,
   For his weary journey had not been in vain.
   • Oh, get ready! Evening shadows fall.
     Don't you hear the Eliezer call?
     There's going to be a wedding,
     And our joy will soon begin,
     In the evening when the camel train comes in.
2. So he took the fair Rebekah,
   Dressed in jewels rich and rare,
   Quickly to her waiting bridegroom far away.
   Where Rebekah loved her Isaac,
   And he loved Rebekah fair;
   Oh, it must have been a happy wedding day.
3. Now the blessed Holy Spirit,
   From our Father God above,
   Has come down to earth to find a worthy Bride.
   For our Isaac over yonder
   Has prepared His tents of love,
   And He wants His fair Rebekah by His side.
4. We have left our kinfolk gladly;
   We have bade the world goodbye.
   We've been called to be His pure and spotless Bride;
   Where we'll soon behold our Jesus
   In that blest eternity—
   What a happy, happy wedding that will be!

 

It all begins with a goal that is set. Then true character arises to make the unchangeable decision to reach that goal. To make that a possibility, there is a character in this spirit that produces a determination that will continue to be the envy of many and will be the history lesson of instruction in many of our conversations as long as we live!

    There was one named James Reynolds, that without argument from friends and even enemies, set the goal and reached it!

    The determination to reach that goal began with a call! A call from the voice of God that is high and set apart from any other voice!

    It's eternal influence is what ignited the flame of experience in true salvation, that rapidly expanded in the soul until it reached the level of an uncontrollable anointing! This anointing put a mighty soldier on his feet in diligent search of every spiritual weapon he would need to accomplish what the call had set before him! TO REACH THAT GOAL!!!

    Then came the proclamation that even the regions of Demons and the Devil could hear. As well as fellow soldiers who were hungry to be encouraged in their fight.

    He often shouted mighty and strong with fist clinched and raised purposefully HIGH in the air!

" The Devil is a Liar "  " There is no defeat in God "  " We must fight for the Right "

 " We must never compromise, but push back the works of the Devil"

 

    In my presence I can testify that I never heard him even "Whisper"the language of defeat though I have personally watched him step over the bodies of many fallen comrades and press on. The voice of this great warrior could be heard saying for all to hear. We cannot Stop now. We must reach the Goal!

    Is that the heat of the desert I feel pressing around me he would ask? But then instantly the determination and anointing would say; None the matter. I will trust for his refreshing, but I must fight on! 

Is that the cold of the winter pressing hard against me he would ask? But then here came the same resolve! It never wavered. He again would say; None the matter. I will look for the warmth of his Love, but I must fight on! 

    Are they the rocks of the steep mountainside that are cutting and hurting my feet he would ask? The resolve never failed! Again he would say; I will find the healing of his Grace often enough to make it to the TOP! I Must Fight On!

    How many attacks did he endure? How many injuries were suffered for long periods of time, even while never leaving the battle field? That number could never be accounted, because he covered most wounds and injuries with a crisp clean uniform, usually refreshed in a closet of fasting and prayer. When he appeared he made sure that he was a representative of his faith in an unfailing God, and never let his wounds produce a mortal pity from man that would in any degree reduce the character of His God!

    Oh, but for the natural man, the many battles take their toll. But be it known now and forever! The steps may slow! The fist not raised quite as high, and the voice may not thunder! But that does not mean he is loosing the long hard fought battle! NO! He is just preparing for the final victory! The Goal is in Sight! He is preparing for the final assault! A foe he has never faced! An enemy that the body must perish so the victory of the eternal soul can be revealed Death itself!

    He prays for the refreshing breeze that bears the fragrance of faith and hope. But he must now find hope and reason to fight on even if the air seems to become stagnant with pressing doubt and fear. This is where he alone must take on the enemy.

He finally sees the Master of faith coming and saying to him! " No need to give up now"

 

Then he wispers! I want the last word!!! The family and friends may not of heard it but the final words as he was led across chilly Jordon were " Oh Death, Where is Your Sting " I have reached my goal.

    Goodbye my faithful Friend. I will meet you where we will be safe from all harm. You left me but I am not afraid for the rest of the journey. You left me in Good Hands.

                                                                   

Meetings

1987

May 22-25 (Memorial Day), 1987

• Deliverance Bible Institute Spring Convention and Graduation Service
• Special Speakers
  • Friday 7 pm Dwight Johnson
  • Saturday 11 am James Williams
  • Saturday 7 pm Dwight Johnson
  • Sunday 11 am James Williams
  • Friday 3 pm Street meeting
  • Sunday 7 pm Dwight Johnson
  • Monday 11 am James Williams
  • Monday 7 pm Graduation, Dwight Johnson