Hugh's News & Commentary

God said of Able, “. . . he offered unto God an excellent sacrifice, and he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:3).

The minds and lives of thousands who sat in a classroom, a church pew, or a camp meeting tabernacle hold the words of Rev. John Swails close to their hearts. Any person who ever had the privilege to experience the ministry of this humble, yet wise and eloquent man knew he was indeed a special gift to the body of Christ. If the IPHC has ever had a theologian or one who deserved to be called Doctor it was certainly John Swails. However, we know he would not have allowed such titles.

While I served as president of Southwestern College Brother Swails came to teach during the Muse Lectures. He captured the minds and hearts of all who were present with his lessons on Romans, dealing with strong meat for mature saints and recalling the book from memory. His teaching was so powerful and uplifting the Oklahoma Conference (now called Heartland) asked him to return the next year for their preacher’s convention and to address Romans again. I still have in my possession the recording of those lessons on Romans and cherish them. I have reviewed them many times and will enjoy them even more in the future….for Dr. Swails yet speaks!

When John was present for those Lectures the Southwestern Board of Education voted to confer on him a Doctor’s Degree, but with great appreciation and humility he declined. However, we did make the event a matter of record.

I had the great joy of preaching with Dr. Swails in at least four camp meetings. Three of those were back to back at the wonderful River Springs Camp in Alabama. I remember sitting outside our camp motel room one night and talking with Brother Swails on the subject of heaven and our agreement that heaven will be bigger than hell! Each of us had thought through this subject, but his thoughts brought it all to a finality and climax when he said, “Brother Leroy, heaven will be bigger than hell because of babies. A baby will never go to hell!” In my heart and mind this was a prophetic breakthrough that because of babies heaven will be bigger than hell.

I can also remember a morning teaching time under the open air tabernacle at River Springs as Brother Swails taught on grace from Romans 8. Such a special anointing covered us. I shall never forget thinking as he spoke that the angels camped around here are learning what they have never experienced, but they long to know! In heaven’s time John Swails will teach angels and babies what they do not know about Jesus!