Lonnie and Betty Rex are noted pianists with a Pentecostal style that captivates their audiences. They have played on national television and in many other places. They drove from Spring, TX when our pastor, J. Brian Williams, dedicated the newly renovated fellowship hall of our church in Athens in loving memory of our Stephanie Ellen Morgan a few years ago now. It is called Stephanie's Place and it has a color photo of her in the room. During the worship service they played a medley of hymns using the piano and a keyboard.
If you will Click Here, you can see and hear Lonnie and Betty Rex play two Baldwin concert grand pianos on national television from Akron, Ohio.
The Rex's are a gift from God to the IPHC and the body of Christ worldwide.
I have been blessed to have known and loved them since I first met them in Washington, DC, when I was a young Marine and played trombone in the Quantico Marine Band. That was in 1954.
There are three men I consider to be my best friends in the known world. It is interesting that I met each man 10 years apart starting with 1954:
Lonnie Rex -- Washington, DC at the National Pentecostal Holiness Church in 1954. Betty played the piano for the church and Lonnie was involved in the music ministry of the church. I correspond with Lonnie almost daily. He responds to every Hugh's News with words of encouragement. He has been and continues to be a counselor to me in many areas of ministry, especially Hugh's News and Commentary.
Wesley Russ -- Brownville, Alabama during a weekend Youth Revival at my first pastorate near Evergreen, Alabama. He was the Pentecostal Preacher Boy from Emmanuel College in 1964 they sent with a male quartet. I was greatly impressed with Wesley's ability to preach and when I was called to go into the Air Force Chaplaincy in 1965, I recommended to my church board and congregation that they consider inviting Wesley Russ to be their pastor. At that time Wesley was a single man, but it wasn't long until he married Janice Robinson from Washington, DC. God put them together and what a marvelous team they were. Melvine and I dearly love them. He and Janice served the Brownville Pentecostal Holiness Church for five years and took the church to the next higher level.
Leroy Baker -- Bethany, Oklahoma: I met Leroy Baker at a Military Chaplains Retreat in 1974 when Burney Proctor was the director/endorser of Chaplains Ministries, IPHC. Leroy led us in worship in Collins Chapel on the campus of the General Headquarters of the IPHC during the administration of Bishop J. Floyd Williams, General Superintendent. Leroy sang a song for us that he had written. It is entitled, "God's Got an Army." I loved Leroy's spirit and his ability to communicate the Gospel. We have been friends since then. That was in 1974. Leroy has preached in my churches, and in camp meetings our family have attended. He and Evelyn, and their children preached and ministered in the River Springs Camp Meetings in Alabama near McKenzie for 5 years in a row. I call him Mr. Camp Meeting Preacher. If anyone was ever gifted to preach camp meetings it is Leroy Baker.
If you will Click Here, you can see and hear Lonnie and Betty Rex play two Baldwin concert grand pianos on national television from Akron, Ohio.
The Rex's are a gift from God to the IPHC and the body of Christ worldwide.
I have been blessed to have known and loved them since I first met them in Washington, DC, when I was a young Marine and played trombone in the Quantico Marine Band. That was in 1954.
There are three men I consider to be my best friends in the known world. It is interesting that I met each man 10 years apart starting with 1954:
Lonnie Rex -- Washington, DC at the National Pentecostal Holiness Church in 1954. Betty played the piano for the church and Lonnie was involved in the music ministry of the church. I correspond with Lonnie almost daily. He responds to every Hugh's News with words of encouragement. He has been and continues to be a counselor to me in many areas of ministry, especially Hugh's News and Commentary.
Wesley Russ -- Brownville, Alabama during a weekend Youth Revival at my first pastorate near Evergreen, Alabama. He was the Pentecostal Preacher Boy from Emmanuel College in 1964 they sent with a male quartet. I was greatly impressed with Wesley's ability to preach and when I was called to go into the Air Force Chaplaincy in 1965, I recommended to my church board and congregation that they consider inviting Wesley Russ to be their pastor. At that time Wesley was a single man, but it wasn't long until he married Janice Robinson from Washington, DC. God put them together and what a marvelous team they were. Melvine and I dearly love them. He and Janice served the Brownville Pentecostal Holiness Church for five years and took the church to the next higher level.
Leroy Baker -- Bethany, Oklahoma: I met Leroy Baker at a Military Chaplains Retreat in 1974 when Burney Proctor was the director/endorser of Chaplains Ministries, IPHC. Leroy led us in worship in Collins Chapel on the campus of the General Headquarters of the IPHC during the administration of Bishop J. Floyd Williams, General Superintendent. Leroy sang a song for us that he had written. It is entitled, "God's Got an Army." I loved Leroy's spirit and his ability to communicate the Gospel. We have been friends since then. That was in 1974. Leroy has preached in my churches, and in camp meetings our family have attended. He and Evelyn, and their children preached and ministered in the River Springs Camp Meetings in Alabama near McKenzie for 5 years in a row. I call him Mr. Camp Meeting Preacher. If anyone was ever gifted to preach camp meetings it is Leroy Baker.