When Bethany University (Scotts Valley, California) closed its doors in July 2011, it was the oldest continuing Assemblies of God institution of higher education in the United States. Seventy-five years earlier, the July 31, 1926, issue of the Pentecostal Evangel reported on the school's early growth.
Founded by Mary Craig in 1919 as Glad Tidings Bible Institute, the school began as a ministry of Glad Tidings Temple (San Francisco, California), one of the largest Assemblies of God congregations on the west coast. The article noted that the school "has had the smile of God upon it."
"Housed in two massive modern buildings of steel and concrete in the heart of San Francisco," Glad Tidings Bible Institute graduated one hundred sixty men and women in its first seven years. The school also owned and operated its own radio station (KGTT), which broadcast sacred music and Full Gospel sermons "at the speed of light."
Read the article about Glad Tidings Temple and Bible Institute on page 6 of the July 31, 1926, issue of the Pentecostal Evangel.
Also featured in this issue:
* "Two Questions at Pentecost," by Ernest S. Williams
* "Glorious Revival in Russia," by J. E. Varonaeff
And many more!
Click here to read this issue now.
Read more about Mary Craig and the early history of Glad Tidings Bible Institute in An Under-Sung Heroine: Mary Craig, Founder of Bethany University, by Abraham Ruelas, published in the 2012 edition of Assemblies of God Heritage. To view the article for free, click on the PDF icon under the article title on the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center website. Print editions of the full color magazine are also available for purchase.
Pentecostal Evangel archived editions courtesy of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center. For current editions of the Evangel, click here.
