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The History of the Bethel Ministerial Association
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Chapter 6 |
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Brother Varnell, Evansville pastor and chairman opened the conference at 7:45pm with an evangelistic message. The next morning saw a discussion on divorce and “whether or not a Christian for any reason has a right to divorce their companion and remarry.” Ministers were, not surprisingly, divided on the subject. “Some positively thought that the innocent one had a perfect right to remarry basing their convictions on the Pauline Epistles as church doctrine. Others were undecided. All decided that the major question was, who is the innocent party and who has the wisdom to decide as most all claim to be in the right.” Discussing another “hot” doctrinal issue, June 1st saw our group tackling the doctrine of sanctification. They discussed it “pro and con”, all agreeing that “sanctification was not eradication of the Adamic nature but divine suppression and control; and in order to be justified before God, one must be sanctified first as one cannot be in a just state before God until one is set apart. Therefore, positionally, sanctification comes first. Also, there is a progressive sanctification which continues as long as we are here and obey God.” That evening, Brother Paul Grant of Logansport spoke on the Mark of the Beast. The following morning, discussion centered on whether or not God’s financial plan for the church was tithing. Brother Grant contended that, “God expected more today than He did under the Law. However, most agreed God had a system and it was tithes and offerings.” That evening service was led by Brother Varnell on the one crime that makes every man a criminal in the sight of God: namely, rejecting Jesus as their Savior. Later, Brother Logan preached on God’s love. I am not sure that such doctrinal discussions led to it, but the next year, 1942, saw the EMC meet at Bethel Tabernacle in Evansville Sept 28-30 to discuss establishing Articles of Faith. At the business meeting Sept 30, Brother Varnell and Brother Wilson presented their compiled list of the association’s first Articles of Faith to the brethren for consideration. The membership voted unanimously to adopt the articles of faith and voted to make the headquarters of the association 803 E. William St in Decatur. This conference was adjourned after a night’s discussion, fellowship and prayer meetings. “The ministering of God’s Word was accompanied by signs and manifestations of the Holy Ghost.” Later that year, Dec 28, the EMC met at Gospel Lighthouse at 911 W. Washington St, Bloomington hosted by Brother M.D. Hornbeck. Interestingly, this is the first mention of membership cards at the business meeting. Dues collected amounted to $1 for each card received. They “decided that cards should be sent out at the first of the year and the dollar should be paid as soon as possible.” The new conference committee was selected and included Rev Hornbeck, Rev Max Campbell and Rev Glen Dyhouse. At an April 14, 1943 council meeting, it was decided that a paper would be published, at least quarterly to be paid for by ministers. Funds were received from Rev Cochran, Rev Dyhouse, Rev Kelley, Rev Hornbeck and Rev Wilson, each about $2 each. Brother Varnell contributed $5 and all agreed that the paper would be titled, the Evangelistic Beacon. Tentative arrangements were made to print the paper after each conference. This would not be the last publication by this growing association of ministers. This conference, held from April 12-15, 1943 in Decatur, conducted prayer meetings at 8am every morning, discussions beginning at 10:30 and again at 1:30 in the afternoon and services every evening. The secretary observed that the conference enjoyed a “large crowd and a wonderful spirit of fellowship unity.” For the first time in their records, the Evangelistic Ministerial Council held its conference at Bethel Tabernacle in Rockport, Ind July 26-29, 1943. This new congregation was founded by Brother Glen Dyhouse and enjoyed evangelistic services conducted by Rev Kermit Cochran from Key West, Florida.  First E.M.C. church in Rockport, Ind, pastored by Rev Glen Dyhouse. Today, the congregation of “The Way” meets there. Rev Joe Greene lives in the house just past the church. |
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At the business meeting held Wednesday afternoon, we see the first appearance of an organized Youth ministry within the association. Rev Wm. Winebreener of Decatur was appointed President and Miss Margarie Hornbeck of Bloomington, Ill was appointed secretary of the Young People of the EMC. Brother Varnell was given an offering of $10 for printing of the Evangelistic Beacon and the current officers were re-elected in their offices for the next year. 1943 was a growing year for our Association. The next year, 1944, the EMC met at Bethel Tabernacle at 514 W. Oregon St in Evansville. In an extremely interesting note in the minutes recorded by Brother Wilson, a business meeting was held March 15, 1944 for ministers led by Brother Wilson of Decatur, Ill on the “danger of being too friendly with women. All agreed that due to the shortage of men, ministers should be very careful to guard their reputation.” This gives us an interesting insight to problems with ministers not overseas in WWII who had to deal with unique problems back home. Additionally, the next day in an additional meeting, it was agreed that steps would be taken to “protect our name nationally in the near future”…early steps that would lead to incorporation by the association. With a “two thirds majority vote”, it is interesting that not all members were in favor.  514 W. Oregon St, Evansville today. Site of great beginnings for the local ministry in Evansville in the early 1940s. |
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We know specifically, that two of our ministers were involved as soldiers during the war. Rev W.B. Badger would later gain recognition as a pastor and active member of the association and then as the association’s chairman for many years. He served in the Army during World War II in Washington State on the west coast of the United States, maintaining preparedness for a feared attack by the Japanese on our homeland. |
 W. Bruce Badger, WWII Enlistee |
 Defending the home front on the West coast |
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Rev Francis “Harvey” Davids also served in the Army. Several members of the associatiotn remember Brother Harvey immediately after the war. His last assignment after WWII was to an army base just across the Ohio River from Evansville, Indiana. On more than one occasion, Brother Harvey would catch a ride from Kentucky across the river and began attending the Bethel church in Evansville, where Brother Varnell pastored. He was apparently a very handsome sight, showing up in his army uniform...handsome enough at least to impress the young ladies attending the church at the same time. He met his future wife, Jessie, during one of these meetings and later became her husband for many years until her death in 2010. |
 Harvey, always a dashing figure... |
 Harvey and Jessie, after the war... |
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Meanwhile, Brother Badger returned to his home in Leroy, Illinois and immediately became deeply involved not only in the ministry there, but in every function and activity of the EMC. His involvement and leadership will be seen here shortly in the recorded history of the association. October 25, 1944 saw the EMC meeting at Gospel Tabernacle during the conference at Leroy, Ill. At the business meeting called by Chairman Rev A.F. Varnell, a motion was made by Rev D. J. Logan of South Bend and seconded by Rev W.B. Badger of Evansville that the Evangelistic Ministerial Council incorporate “nationally to protect our name.” The motion carried overwhelmingly with just one minister refusing to vote, Rev M.D. Hornbeck of Bloomington. The motion was then made by Rev Dyhouse of Rockport, Ind and seconded by Rev Campbell of Logansport that “this body empower chairman and secretary to proceed with the matter of incorporating and that all agree to stand equal expense providing the total amount doesn’t exceed $100.” The issue of incorporation was considered again at the next conference, May 17, 1945 at Gospel Temple in South Bend, Indiana, but the issue was carried over to the next conference. The conference committee made up of Rev Hornbeck, Campbell and Dyhouse was given the task of coming up with a new application for credentials along with a questionnaire for the pastor recommending credentials. As an added note to the minutes, some discussion was mentioned of a member who had “stepped out of the council on account of a moral question which had arisen.” Brother Dyhouse, who was related to the member, and was dealing with him and his position, was counselled that he “not do anything to hurt the influence of the council or himself. This position was taken after a review of the history of the case.” The end of World War II came quickly after the surrender of Germany to Allied Forces May 7, 1945, and Japan in Asia August 15th, just three months after surrender of the Axis forces in Europe. The EMC conducted its next meeting in Evansville, October 3rd. They decided to accept the new credential questionaires, voted to keep Rev Varnell as Chairman and Rev I.E. Wilson as secretary and maintain the three members of the conference committee, Revs Hornbeck, Campbell and Dyhouse for another two years. The EMC met again March 13, 1946 at the Full Gospel Church at 800 E. Wm St, Decatur, Illinois and decided to move the official office to 514 W. Oregon St, Evansville, Indiana where Rev Varnell was now pastoring. They met again June 21, 1946 in Rockport, Indiana where they raised $12 to give to Sister Varnell for printing of the paper. A “Rev Hadley” was given the responsibility to “have charge of the song services and arrangement of special numbers” at the August Young People’s Rally. The Council met again November 27, 1946 at the Full Gospel Church in Waynesville, Ill. Although no new business was brought up, there was a friendly discussion on “the value of speaking in tongues as a Pentecostal experience. It was agreed that all ministers should have this experience.” Rev W.B. Badger was one of the original “charter” members of the church in Evansville. The next meeting of the EMC is recorded meeting at the Apostolic Church in Leroy, Illinois, May 28, 1947, now pastored by Brother Badger.  Today, Leroy Bethel Church, it started as the Apostolic Church of Leroy under Brother Badger’s leadership in 1947. |
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At the business meeting during this conference, Rev Max Campbell moved to “organize machinery for a church building program.” The vote approved this measure and Rev Badger was elected to Secretary and Treasurer of the Church Building Fund of the EMC. In its first definitive resolutions to decide on credentials, it was decided that the requirement for EMC ordination would be “that one be filled with the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4 and meet other qualifications according to Paul’s letter to Timothy.” They also resolved to license beginners according to the recommendations of the local pastor and the conference. November 27, 1947 the EMC met again at the Rockport church. The minutes of this meeting show that the previous night, Nov 26th, Rev Richard Schwambach was ordained during the evening meeting. Three other ministers had been recorded as being ordained by our association prior to this: Rev Sheperd and Holloman in 1937 and Rev Rigsby in 1938. Brother Badger returned from service in WWII to pastor in Leroy and was, no doubt ordained to do so. Now, Brother Schwambach would be the next in a long line of ministers ordained by the association to carry the Word to the cities, our nation and the world. He would also play a significant role in the association in its future and as the pastor of the Evansville church, taking over for Brother Varnell. Another gap occurred in the minutes of the Council as the next recorded ones come from the conference held Feb 28 to March 3, 1949. Brother Varnell was still the chairman and pastor of the church in Evansville. However, the first paragraph of the minutes give the best explanation of why there probably was a gap. “Due to poor health and his inability to attend conferences, Bro I. E. Wilson resigned his post as Secretary and Treasurer. Brother Etnier’s name was suggested and unanimously voted in as the new Secretary.” This is the first mention of Rev Don Etnier, but it would certainly not be the last. It was decided to have the next conference in Decatur, where Brother Etneir had taken over for Brother Wilson as pastor and began many years of ministry, both to his church and to the EMC. The next conference would be held there May 30 to June 2. The next order of business was the Young People’s Conference. “After some deliberation, it was decided to have it in Vandalia, Illinois September 29, 30 and 31. The age limit was set at 13 unless accompanied by one parent. Each local minister was asked to more or less decide who would come so as to keep it from being an outing with no interest in the gospel work. A fee of $2 is to be collected from each person attending and the local minister is to have charge of collecting it and seeing that each of his group get badges.” This item is of significant interest as it is the first recorded plan of Youth Camps or Conferences, a ministry of the association that has always carried a major importance among its members and ministers. The fact that the first conference was held in Vandalia probably reflects on the influence of Brother Wilson, especially since in just a few years he would prove to be a vital influence in purchasing grounds specifically for this purpose. |
 Title reads: Fourth Annual Convention of Young Evangels, Bethel Apostolic Church, Leroy, Ill July-Oct 1947 Click on photo to view |
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The next order of business recorded by new secretary Don Etnier was the application for credentials for Ivan Rine and Archie Roe. Their applications were discussed and it was agreed to give them license for one year “if Brother James Clatterbaugh would sign each of their applications.” Rev Bruce Badger of Leroy, Ill and Secretary/Treasurer of the Evangelistic M.C.B.F read a suggested form to be used for those wishing to borrow from this fund. The form was accepted after a few minor alterations. It also was decided to call the fund the Home and Foreign Missionary Fund of the EMC. With no other matters of business coming up, the meeting was adjourned and Brother Etnier concluded the last page of official records from this first record book of history recorded by our association. The next minutes would take the association into a new decade after what would certainly be considered a time of great growth by this group. The decade of the 1950s would probably see the greatest, most rapid growth of our association in its history. Member churches, pastors, evangelists and missionaries would all increase in number and importance. New and vital programs would be begun showing the incredible enthusiasm by our members and the people they pastored. As great as the next decade would be though, everyone would agree that none of it would have ever occurred nor been possible without the faithful, dedicated leadership that grew throughout the early years, from 1937 to this point. The association will forever give credit and honor to the unfaultering leadership of especially Brother A.F. Varnell and Brother I.E. Wilson who provided the strong foundation upon which the future of the association would be built. I’m sure the rewards for their faithfulness are already great in heaven and they have enjoyed the thrill of laying them at the Savior’s feet. |
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