The Reverend Dr. French L. Arrington received the Spirit of
Azusa Award on Oct. 30 following the 7^th annual
Azusa Lecture at the North Cleveland Church of God.

David G. Roebuck, director of the Dixon Pentecostal Research
Center, presented Arrington with the award and commended his
scholarship and service to the Church. He said, “French Arrington
continually integrates the Word of God with the faith and practice
of the Church. Like many of you, my life has been enriched beyond
measure through his ministry.”

In his award speech, Arrington recognized the extraordinary
contribution of his late wife, Frances Treadaway Arrington, to his
writing, academic study and ministry. He was married to the former
Mrs. Arrington until her death in 2011. She is survived by her
children Athena Hicks and Lee Arrington. Arrington is now married
to Joyce McKinney Arrington.

The Dixon Pentecostal Research Center established the Azusa
Lecture and Spirit of Azusa Award in 2006 on the occasion of the
centennial of the Los Angeles revival.  The Center presents
the award annually to a person whose life and ministry reflect the
legacy of the ongoing revival that began in Los Angeles in 1906.
North Cleveland Church of God hosts the annual lecture.

Roebuck said, “Among the characteristics of that revival was an
emphasis on Pentecost, a hunger and expectation for revival in the
last days, a sense of global mission, and a commitment to the
Scriptures. They saw God restoring among them what they had
previously only read about in Scripture. So they searched the
Scriptures to understand what to believe and how to
live.” 

A resident of Cleveland, Tenn., Arrington is Professor Emeritus
of New Testament Greek and Exegesis at the Pentecostal Theological
Seminary (PTS). A scholar of the New Testament and the Greek
language, he served for 21 years as a PTS faculty member as well as
17 years with Lee University. While at Lee, he was chairman of the
Bible and Theology Department, and honored with the Excellence in
Teaching Award. 

Arrington was ordained in the Church of God in 1968. In addition
to preaching in numerous churches around the world, he served as
Assistant Pastor of the East Atlanta Church of God and as Pastor of
the Tower Grove Church of God in St. Louis. 

Arrington has authored 14 books and contributed to numerous
other publications. His latest book, “The Greatest Letter Ever
Written: A Study of Romans,” is available at Pathway Press.

Arrington’s academic degrees include a Doctor of Philosophy from
St. Louis University, a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology
from Columbia Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts from the
University of Chattanooga.

Before his academic career, Arrington served in the U.S. Army
from 1950-1953.  He was a faculty member at Southeastern
University in Lakeland, Fla. He has taught and lectured at many
schools, local churches and conferences.

Arrington has been appointed to many boards and committees, such
as the Literature Review Committee of Pathway Press, the Ordained
Bishop’s Examining Board for the state of Tennessee, the Church of
God Commission for Doctrine and Polity, and the Committee to
Evaluate Bible Curriculum for Christian Day Schools.

His books include “Divine Order in the Church,” “The Ministry of
Reconciliation,” “The Acts of the Apostles,” the three-volume
“Christian Doctrine: A Pentecostal Perspective,” “Exploring the
Declaration of Faith,” “Encountering the Holy Spirit,” “The
Spirit-Anointed Church,” “The Spirit-Anointed Jesus,”  and
“Unconditional Eternal Security: Myth or Truth?”

The Pentecostal Theological Seminary co-sponsored this year’s
event as part of their Heritage Week.  Seminary President Dr.
Steven J. Land welcomed those attending, and Dr. John Christopher
Thomas presented the annual Azusa Lecture entitled, “‘In the Spirit
on the Lord’s Day’: The Holy Spirit in the Book of
Revelation.” 

Irma and Eddie Williams led attendees in singing “The Comforter
Has Come,” a favorite song sung at almost every service, according
to historical accounts of the Azusa Street revival.  Bishop J.
David Stephens prayed the benediction.  Stephens serves as
Assistant General Overseer of the Church of God and Executive
Committee Liaison to the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center.

Located on the campus of Lee University, the Dixon Pentecostal
Research Center is one of the world’s most significant collections
of Pentecostal materials as well as the archives of the Church of
God.  In addition to students at Lee University and the
Pentecostal Theological Seminary, numerous scholars visit the
center to study about the Pentecostal-Charismatic
movement. 

Audio and video recordings of the lecture and award presentation
are available from the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center at
423-614-8576.

PHOTOS: Arrington; Roebuck (left) presents award to
Arrington.