Dr. French L. Arrington will present the 13th Annual Azusa Lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. in the North Cleveland Church of God Dixon Chapel. Arrington will speak on “To the Ends of the Earth: A Biblical Scholar Looks at Global Pentecostalism.”

Arrington has distinguished himself as a Bible teacher and scholar since 1964 when he joined the faculty of Lee University. While at Lee, he chaired the Department of Biblical Historical Studies during the college’s transformation to a four-year liberal arts educational institution, and he received the school’s highest faculty honor, the Excellence in Teaching Award in 1975.

He joined the Pentecostal Theological Seminary faculty in 1981 where he serves as professor of New Testament Greek and exegesis as well as the Niko Njotorahardjo Chair for the Restoration of the Tabernacle of David.

Prior to answering the call to Church of God ministry, Arrington served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1953. A popular speaker at conferences and local churches, his education includes degrees from Lee College, University of Chattanooga, Columbia Theological Seminary, and St. Louis University, where he earned his doctorate in biblical languages.

Arrington has written extensively on several books of the Bible, such as Romans and Acts, along with theological works such as the three-volume “Christian Doctrine: A Pentecostal Perspective.” His most recent publications are “A Spirit-Baptized People” and “An Expectant People.” He also serves as chairman of the Church of God Doctrine and Polity Committee.

Following Arrington’s presentation, the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center will honor Dr. Lamar Vest with the Spirit of Azusa Award for his life-long leadership of the Pentecostal Movement. A reception will follow in Bryan Fellowship Hall.

A native of South Carolina, Vest began his ministry in 1955 and has served as an evangelist, pastor, church planter, and denominational leader.

His denominational leadership has included youth and Christian education directorships in Oklahoma, Southern California/Nevada, and Delmarva-D.C. (Delaware/Maryland/Washington, D.C.). Beginning in 1972, Vest served the International Department of Youth and Christian Education in consecutive four-year tenures as administrative assistant, assistant director, and director.

When the Lee College board of directors chose Vest as president in 1984, he initiated recruitment and fundraising programs that launched a significant period of growth for the college. He also appointed Dr. Paul Conn, current Lee president, as executive vice president.

Vest’s tenure as president of Lee was interrupted with his election to the Church of God Executive Committee, where he served from 1986 to 1994 and again from 1996 to 2004. While on the Executive Committee, he served eight years as general overseer.

Vest has also served as director of Church of God Media Ministries, chancellor of Church of God education, chairman of the National Association of Evangelicals, vice chairman of the World Pentecostal Fellowship, and president of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (2014-2016).

In 1991, the American Bible Society asked Vest to serve on its board of trustees. This led to further service as chair of the ABS board, executive vice president of the ABS Global Scriptures Ministries, member of the United Bible Societies board of trustees, and president and CEO of ABS (2009-2012). In 2012, ABS elected Vest as president emeritus.

Vest has also authored several books, including his recent memoir, “Reflections on the Journey.”

“Dr. Vest is an exemplary model of a Christian leader,” said Dr. David G. Roebuck, director of the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center (DPRC) and Church of God historian. “His deeply felt call to Christian ministry, faithfulness to serve wherever doors open, and global vision of what God is doing echo the ministry of William J. Seymour. Seymour was pastor of the extraordinary Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles and is seen by many as the spiritual father of the modern Pentecostal movement. Like Seymour, Dr. Vest leads with confidence and distinction, all the while opening doors for others to lead wherever God has gifted them.”

The DPRC is sponsoring the 13th Annual Azusa Lecture in partnership with other ministries that are recognizing and celebrating the work of both Arrington and Vest. Among these are Pastor Niko Njotorahardjo, lead sponsor of the lecture, and the American Bible Society under President Roy Peterson, which is lead sponsor of the Spirit of Azusa Award. Other sponsors include Ken and Debbie Davis, Church of God Division of Education, Church of God Department of Youth and Discipleship, Pentecostal Theological Seminary, Church of God in California/Nevada, Church of God in Delmarva-DC, Mt. Olive Ministries, and North Cleveland Church of God.

The purpose of the Azusa Lecture is to celebrate the rich heritage of the Pentecostal Movement. The DPRC launched the annual lecture in 2006 on the occasion of the centennial of the revival at the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles. Church of God historian Charles W. Conn noted that the Los Angeles revival, which lasted from 1906 to 1909, “is universally regarded as the beginning of the modern Pentecostal Movement.”

The Los Angeles revival began when African-American Pastor William J. Seymour preached a message of Spirit baptism following salvation and sanctification. What started as a home prayer meeting attracted throngs of seekers and was moved to an abandoned church building at 312 Azusa Street. Hundreds traveled to the Azusa Street Mission, received a personal baptism of the Holy Spirit, and took that message to their homes, churches, and communities. The Pentecostal Movement quickly became a great missionary movement, and the 20th century came to be called the “Century of the Holy Spirit.”

Founded by Charles W. Conn on the campus of Lee University, the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center is one of the world’s 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 use the Center’s holdings related to the Pentecostal-Charismatic Movement. Roebuck serves as director.

The lecture and reception are free, non-ticketed, and open to the public.

For more information about the Azusa Lecture, contact the DPRC at (423) 614-8576 or [email protected].