"My Introduction to the P.H. Church" - Part 1

Velma Cochren Terry (1915-1999)- Narrative of her introduction to the Pentecostal Holiness Church of Kansas ca 1955
See article this blog,  "Poets of Pentecostalism", for more on this woman.

POETS OF PENTECOSTALISM

Velma Cochren Terry (1914-1999), a Pentecostal Poet.

Born on the wind swept plains of middle Kansas was married at age 15. She was a mother to ten children of which only seven survived infancy.  She raised five children by herself after being deserted by her first husband. During WW2 - while a 'Rosie the Riveter" - she met the man she would marry after the war and have five more children. 

She first attended a Pentecostal church in the 1940's in Nebraska (Church of God and Foursquare congregations).  She became a member of the Pentecostal Holiness Church under the ministry of Rev. Sally Flippin in Wichita, Kansas in the early 1950's. She was a charter member of churches in Wichita and Wellington, Kansas (under Sally Flippin, Bill and Evelyn Thompson, Pastor Burchett and Hoyle Baker). 

She trained as a Nurses Aide later in life and served as special care attendent at local hospitals and in private care. 

Velma Cochren Terry, ca. 1950

Velma's first poem was published in the church newsletter, then she was published in a local newspaper, and then notebooks filled and kept secreted away.  She continued to live life, became a mother and grandmother and friend to many.

In 1972, she and her husband retired to the Ozarks and she published two books of poetry before the death of her husband and her own subsequent failing health. She lived to see almost all of her children accept Christ, become active in church and several in ministry. She saw her grandchildren being raised in Christian homes. She lived to see the fulfilment of her prayers that God would care for, protect, and guide each of her children.

Finally, encouraged to dust them off she put together Sunshine and Shadows in 1983. It was just a simple little book of her writings penned in the still and silent hours of night when all was quiet.

Conceived as a simple gift to family and friends...the response was impressive for a simple little book. Local pastors read her poems in their pulpits, teachers in their classes, and people in their home. A local Christian radio program regularly read her poems over the air. She was encouraged by how her simple verses had found an audience. Her deep faith and honest search for answers to life's challenges reflected her Pentecostal roots and resonated with readers.

A second collection appeared in 1983, Heart Talks and it was followed by Valley of Flowers in 1995 (reprinted three times through 1996). More poems, richer and more complex, revealing her growth as a poet, waited to be shared. A fourth one, Silver Linings, was planned but a massive stroke halted that project as she lost sight in one eye, a long recovery and reduced capacities. In October of 1999 she passed away.

In 2010, her daughter, Marilyn A. Hudson, compiled the best of her work and added a biographical context and published, In Her Own Words: The Inspirational Poetry of Velma Terry (Whorl Books).

THE BRITISH CONFERENCE OF THE IPHC

Noel Brooks, one time leader in the British Conference of the Pentecostal Holiness Church, compiled some facts related to the origins and history of the conference.  The following was probably written between 1977 and 1983.

"ORIGIN

In 1952 Dr. W. H. Turner attended the World Pentecostal Conference in London where he met the Rev. Howard Wallis of Bristol.  As a result the Bristol Church of which Mr. Wallis was pastor became organized as a P.H. Church.

In 1954, as a result of ground work by Chaplain Jake Till, the Rev. R.L. Rex, and Thurance York held evangelistic services in several cities and created wider interest in the P.H.C.  During that summer the Rev. and Mrs. Noel Brooks were preaching in the U.S.A. where they made their first contacts with P.H. Churches.

In October if the same year Bishop J.A. Synan organized the British Conference.  There was one church (Bristol) and several ministers of independent churches.  The first Superintendent was the Rev. H. Wallis.

DEVELOPMENTS

From the very beginning progress was slow and difficult. There was resentment from existing Pentecostal bodies. Some pastors and churches joined the conference but left almost as soon as they came. Independents found a centralized organization unacceptable.  Some found Wesleyan theology a problem. In the first ten years ten churches came into being, some as a result of pioneer work, others from independent backgrounds.  Lack of trained workers and of money impeded progress. At the present time there are only five organized churches.

In 1960 a Bible College was founded in an effort to overcome this deficiency.  At first, only evening classes were conducted, then in 1963 both day and evening classes were opened. Noel Brooks was President, and he and L.J. Harding were the main instructors.  About 100 students passed through the school the twelve years of its existence (1960-1973).  Only 20 of these were full-time students.  The small churches were unable to provide sufficient young people as students, and most of the enrollees, came from other church backgrounds. Eventually in 1973 the school was forced to close.  However, several excellent workers entered Christian work from this school.

SUPERINTENDENTS

The following have served as Conference Supertendents -

1954-1955 Howard Wallis

1955-1962 Noel Brooks

1962-1963 William Sherrod (died October 1963)

1963-1966 Noel Brooks

1967-1969 Howard Wallis

1969-1977 Charles Hopla (died March 1977)

1977 -         Arthur Coleman

MISSIONARY INTEREST

Bristol Bible College, 1960-1973

Throughout it brief existence the British Conference has kept a lively interest in mission, although it is itself under the authority of the world's Mission Board.  Three Britishers are missionaries, although they were not send out by the British Conference but joined the P.H.Church while they were on  the mission field.  They are the Rev. and Mrs. K.G. Donald of India and Mrs. Adrienne Chapman (nee Holdsworth) of South Africa.  All of these are doing great work for God in their respective spheres.

Since 1972 Noel Brooks has traveled extensively and contributed to the P.H.C. in several lands: South African and Rhodesia (1972); Canada (1972-1974); Mexico (1974); USA (1974-1976); Argentina (1976).  He has also visited North American on several occasions for special ministry.

YOUTH INTERESTS

Though there is much to discourage in the British Conference, the youth work is full of promise.  Under the leadership of the Rev. Arthur Coleman the Lifeliners work was organized and  has grown in numbers and interest from the start. An annual Youth Camp is held, as well as periodic rallies and competitions.  Several young people have taken out Mission Workers License and plan to proceed with the Ministers Course.

Brethren pray for us!  Britain is a sick country. Only about 5% of our people go to church. There is great industrial unrest and political strife..."

---Noel Brooks, "Facts about the British Conference of the Pentecostal Holiness Church" , undated manuscript, Noel Brooks Collection, Southwestern Christian University Archives.   Used by permission.  Transcribed by Marilyn A. Hudson, 2011.