As I recall, Joel S. McGraw and I met Thurnace York at River Springs Camp Meeting in the summer of 1957. That was the year Joel was ordained, and I was licensed to preach the Gospel. Bishop J. A. Synan was the general official that year, and Vernon V. Pate was the conference superintendent. It was most unusual evening as Ron Turton, the late husband of Ruth Cato Turton and an outstanding Assemblies of God pastor in Walton Beach, FL, introduced us to Thurnace. We talked, no we listened, as Ron and Thurnace told stories until day break. When you are having fun and enjoying hearing great stories you forget the time.
Well, Thurnace celebrated his 84th birthday on Saturday, April 10, 2010, with his son's, Rob, family in Atlanta, GA. His dear wife, Ethelyn, whom we all loved passed away last year. She was an extraordinary school teacher. They visited in our home in Winder, GA, several years ago. Our daughter, Stephanie, fell in love with Ethelyn because of their mutual interest in teaching children.
Thurnace attended Holmes Bible College with John Parker many years ago. Thurnace went on from there to earn enough academic degrees to fill a large wall in any office. He has a Ph. D., Ed. D., and D.Div. degree, and more.
God has given him great opportunities to minister all over the world. He was blessed to be a part of the opening of the Canadian Parliament by then Princess Elizabeth who is now reigning Queen of Great Britain; Anna, Denmark's most versatile actress; Donald Gee (Mr. Pentecost) in England; Karl Fix, converted Intelligence Officer of Hitler who now heads a large body of believers in Christ, D.D. Freeman, IPHC Missions Director in South Africa, Billy Graham London Crusade, BBC Television, PTL World Outreach by the first Satellite, with Jim Bakker as his Senior Vice President.
In the '50s God directed Thurnace to tour the world, taking him into 47 nations to minister. In 2009 God spoke directly to him in his office and directed him to "Go to Jerusalem." He did and served to encourage the Messianic Jewish and Arab Leaders who are persecuted by the Orthodox Jewish leaders.
Dr. York is a gifted preacher of the Word, a master singer, artist and pianist. In the '40s he was the beginning pianist for the Healing Crusades of Oral Roberts great ministry. Later he served for several years as chaplain at the Oral Roberts University City of Faith Hospital and Medical Research Center in Tulsa, OK.
Dr. T, as many call him, has studied in both Canadian and American universities and seminars and has been honored by many of them for his world ministry, counseling, music and chalk/talk artistry. Thousands have made their commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in London, England, an honor afforded to only a few ministers.
At the young age of 84, Thurnace York is still burning with God's Holy Zeal and is making plans for more ministry and television in North America and overseas. if you are interested in having this outstanding pastor and evangelist, contact him by cell phone 361-739-6639 or write him at 1022 Pyramid Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, and pray for his anointing.
I call him the Duke of York. What a wonderful friend I have in this man so talented and giving.
Posted on
Sat, April 10, 2010
by Hugh Morgan