Rev. B. V. Robison to celebrate 100th birthday

On February 2, 2008, Rev. Bernice Vance (B. V.) Robison will achieve something that few Assemblies of God ministers can claim – he will celebrate his 100th birthday. Reared in the Waurika and Terral areas in Oklahoma, Robison later moved to Texas, which became his home state. In 1927, at the age of 19, he began traveling with Floyd Hawkins. Together, they held revivals in towns and communities across Texas, bringing the Pentecostal message to many people for the first time. Numerous Assemblies of God churches were organized as a result of their efforts.

In 1929 Robison married Lillie Mae Holdridge. Following a 1930 revival campaign held in Freeport, Texas, he remained to pioneer a church, which became First Assembly of God. In the early days of the Assemblies of God, most pastors were bi-vocational, and they were expected to be competent in multiple skills. Robison’s natural building abilities meant that, in each of his pastorates, he would erect a church building.

After a hurricane destroyed the first building he erected for the Freeport congregation, he built a second one. To date, five Assemblies of God congregations have been birthed from the Freeport church. In 1935 he moved to Sherman, Texas, to serve as one of the early Assemblies of God pastors in that city. In 1939 he returned to south Texas to pastor the assembly in Cuero. His first project there was to build a new church building. The congregation worshiped in that building until 1993.

In 1942, again feeling the call of God to a city without an Assemblies of God witness, Robison moved 28 miles to Victoria, Texas. World War II was raging,

Rev. James K. Bridges to resign

Dr. George O. Wood, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, sent the following announcement to Assemblies of God Headquarters employees by email at 3:58 pm on Friday, January 4, 2008.
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I want to share with you that Rev. James K. Bridges, our general treasurer for the past 14 years, has announced he will step down from this office on March 31, 2008.

Brother Bridges indicates he felt the timing to be appropriate for several reasons: “(1) we have gotten beyond the General Council event; (2) the new ELT members have had several months to settle into their positions; (3) a newly-appointed General Treasurer by the Executive Presbytery will have a year and a half to get settled into office before the next General Council when the office is up for election; and (4) it is time for us to return to Texas where all of our children and grandchildren reside.”

Brother Bridges was elected general treasurer at the 45th General Council in 1993. In this office, he oversees the Division of the Treasury, which is responsible for handling all finances sent to the national office for the world ministries of the church.

He has served with distinction in a variety of ministry since 1952 when he began his ministry in the South Texas District. A graduate of Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, he served pastorates in Houston, Dallas, Greenville, and Waxahachie, Texas, as well as Wichita, Kansas. He served in district leadership in the North Texas District, including sectional presbyter, executive presbyter, general presbyter, assistant superintendent and superintendent of the district from 1981 until his election to the office of general treasurer.

From 1968-71, Brother Bridges was vice president of academic affairs at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, and served as chairman of the school’s board of directors from 1985-1993. SAGU conferred the honorary doctor’s degree upon him in 1991.

Brother Bridges is a person of impeccable integrity. His depth of Christian character commands everything he does. He has served this church so well. It has been my distinct joy to serve with him in executive leadership since 1993. I shall miss his wise counsel and steadfast commitment to the church, its doctrines, and ministries.

We wish him and Joyce God’s richest blessings in the years ahead. I am confident he will continue to be active in ministry wherever God leads.

The General Council Bylaws call for the Executive Presbytery to fill the unexpired term of an executive officer. Please pray for God’s wisdom as we seek to do this.
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For more information about Rev. Bridges’ life and ministry, read the article, “Reflecting on a Godly Heritage: The Important Roles Parents, Grandparents, and In-laws Played in the Life of James K. Bridges,” published in the Fall 1994 issue of Assemblies of God Heritage magazine. The issue has been digitized and may be viewed on the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center website.

Rev. Bridges and his wife, Joyce, gave their testimony at the Assemblies of God Headquarters chapel service on November 27, 2007. Click here to view the chapel service.

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