We have gathered on the new Holmes Campus today to dedicate the Brooks / King Missions Duplex. We are deeply grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Moses King for providing the funds to build and furnish this beautiful home/facility. It will help to continue the great tradition of this college of training missionaries. It will provide an apartment for missionaries to live on campus to teach and interact with our students.
The Missions Duplex is built in memory of the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Henry King and the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Brooks. Brother King went to Liberia in 1911 in the first wave of missionaries going out from the Pentecostal Holiness Church. Due to circumstances he returned after a year.
Though he could not return to the field, missions remained the heart and passion of his life. He became a very successful farmer and faithful supporter of missions. John W. Brooks became his pastor at the Goshen Church. They became great friends and Brother King became a strong supporter of the ministry of John W. Brooks. Brother King instilled into his children the principles of business and giving.
As a result, his life lives on in the gift of Moses and Dean King, not only here, but in mission activity around the world. The Kings made the first million dollar gift to the Pentecostal Holiness Church for World Missions.
The Rev. Mr. John W. Brooks was also one of the early missionaries of the Pentecostal Holiness Church. He was saved at the age of four. His mother moved him to Falcon early in his life to be at the center of the holiness/Pentecostal movement. He attended Holmes Bible College and committed his life as a missionary to Africa. He and his wife, Erna Mae, set sail with fellow HBC graduates, The Rev. Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Freeman, to South Africa where he served for a number of years.
He returned home, but felt the call of God to go to Nigeria to establish the Pentecostal Holiness Church in that country. He went alone and labored diligently and founded the IPHC in West Africa. I wondered how much influence Brother King had in Brother Brooks’ passion to go to West Africa to pioneer the work there.
George Wilson and I took Brother Brooks back to Nigeria when he was nearly 90 years of age to dedicate the John W. Brooks Bible School. He was one of the most visionary men I have known. He was a missionary, a pastor, and Superintendent of Falcon Children’s Home. I spent many afternoons when I was his pastor for sixteen years, having the best tea with Mrs. Erna Mae and John W. Brooks.
We are deeply grateful to Rev. Carl Sturkie who has served as the contractor for this project. He has done without remuneration. He has spent most of his time this past year on the campus. He has done an outstanding job. We could not have done it without him.
The following people have either contributed their time or done the work at cost:
Carl Sturkie
Larry Ward
John Gipson
Bob Russo
Bill Branch
Gary Arnold
Sherrill Green
Steve Cooper
Julian Boles
Tony Kneece
Ralph Oliver
Jim Pasko
Herman Litchfield
Tommy Darracott
Michel Sturkie
Brian Sturkie
[Editor's Note: Melvine and I were present for the dedication of the Brooks / King Missions Duplex. It was one of the finest dedications I have ever observed. It was raining all around Greenville, but God stayed the rain at the foothills of Parris Mountain, and let the sun shine through with a blue South Carolina sky.
I would estimate that there were at least 250 people present for this glorious event. The presence of the Holy Spirit was evident and a calming, peaceful and joyous spirit brought a new unity and purpose to all who attended. It is evident that God's gracious hand is upon the new president, Dr. James D. Leggett, and Holmes Bible College. The future is indeed bright, and a spirit of generosity is sweeping the church.
Let us give thanks to Almighty God for what He has done and is doing for Holmes Bible College]
Posted on
Wed, October 6, 2010
by Hugh Morgan