8/17/10

DATEBOOK: OUT OF A YEARNING HEART TO HELP THE CHURCH

May 10-1944 Women’s Auxiliary formally organized in NC Conference, Lila Berry elected 1st Pres. Originally a “preacher’s Wives Club”.

Lila Berry, remarking on the first organization of Pentecostal Holiness women in May 10,1944, noted: “A small group of women (and nearly as many men) met in the historic little church in Falcon…I hardly think any of us knew just what we wanted , but out of a yearning heart to do something to help the church and a determination to find our places in God’s great harvest field, we met….” (Campbell, J. The Pentecostal Holiness Church, 1898-1948; pg.388-389). The first group was organized under the conference leadership of W. Eddie Morris in Falcon, N.C. and their first speaker was T.A. Melton. (Synan, Old Time Power, pg. 214). The first leader was Mrs. Lila Berry who set her sights on expanding the new outreach across the denomination and did so in the General Conference of 1945. The ministry touched a cord and provided a new and vital means of ministering to P.H. women – but to also reach out and impact their communities and the world.

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