The Rev. Dr. James R. Pennington James Richard Pennington was born July 10, 1934, in Port Neches, Texas. He was number seven of 14 children born to Olive Preston and Mary (Coleman) Pennington. He departed this life on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.
When James was 17 years old, he enlisted in the Air Force and served four years during the Korean War. Soon after his discharge in 1955, he rededicated his life to Christ. He reached another milestone that year on June 17, when he married the love of his life, Theda Vern Hail, a Pentecostal Holiness pastor’s daughter.
James says he had known he was called to preach since he was baptized in water at age 10 in the Baptist Church. He had even received his ministerial credentials as a Baptist; however, when he attended a Pentecostal meeting and was filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, he knew he had also experienced a reversal of destiny.
Though James’s resolutely Baptist mother was dismayed with this new direction of ministry, he began the journey of seeking an education so he might learn to preach “the Pentecostal way.” In August 1955, the newlyweds packed up and moved from California to Oklahoma so James could attend Southwestern College. Two men who greatly influenced him in those early years were the Rev. Robert L. Rex and Dr. R. O. Corvin, president of Southwestern at the time.
James earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwestern (now Southwestern Christian University) in Oklahoma City and a Master of Theology degree (Summa Cum Laude) from Trinity Theological Seminary. He was awarded two honorary degrees: a Doctor of Divinity from Southern California Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Theology from Pacific Coast Bible School.
James served his denomination, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC), in numerous leadership roles, including pastor, evangelist, teacher and administrator. He served for 17 years as superintendent of the Northwest and Southern California (Golden West) Conferences. He launched seven church congregations, led in the construction of three church edifices, and edited conference publications for 17 years. He served eight years as the General Church Programs Coordinator and Administrative Assistant to the church’s General Superintendent. He was a member of the General Board of Administration for 16 years and was elected to the denomination’s General Executive Board, where he served for nine years.
Additional leadership positions include executive director of People to People, an overseas benevolence program to help feed and educate children in developing countries. He served for seven years on the Board of Administration of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) and five years on the executive board of the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America (PFNA). For 16 years he chaired the board of Pacific Coast Bible School, Sacramento, California.
James is the author of the book, Who Has Bewitched You? (Pleasant Word, 2010).
When James was 17 years old, he enlisted in the Air Force and served four years during the Korean War. Soon after his discharge in 1955, he rededicated his life to Christ. He reached another milestone that year on June 17, when he married the love of his life, Theda Vern Hail, a Pentecostal Holiness pastor’s daughter.
James says he had known he was called to preach since he was baptized in water at age 10 in the Baptist Church. He had even received his ministerial credentials as a Baptist; however, when he attended a Pentecostal meeting and was filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, he knew he had also experienced a reversal of destiny.
Though James’s resolutely Baptist mother was dismayed with this new direction of ministry, he began the journey of seeking an education so he might learn to preach “the Pentecostal way.” In August 1955, the newlyweds packed up and moved from California to Oklahoma so James could attend Southwestern College. Two men who greatly influenced him in those early years were the Rev. Robert L. Rex and Dr. R. O. Corvin, president of Southwestern at the time.
James earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwestern (now Southwestern Christian University) in Oklahoma City and a Master of Theology degree (Summa Cum Laude) from Trinity Theological Seminary. He was awarded two honorary degrees: a Doctor of Divinity from Southern California Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Theology from Pacific Coast Bible School.
James served his denomination, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC), in numerous leadership roles, including pastor, evangelist, teacher and administrator. He served for 17 years as superintendent of the Northwest and Southern California (Golden West) Conferences. He launched seven church congregations, led in the construction of three church edifices, and edited conference publications for 17 years. He served eight years as the General Church Programs Coordinator and Administrative Assistant to the church’s General Superintendent. He was a member of the General Board of Administration for 16 years and was elected to the denomination’s General Executive Board, where he served for nine years.
Additional leadership positions include executive director of People to People, an overseas benevolence program to help feed and educate children in developing countries. He served for seven years on the Board of Administration of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) and five years on the executive board of the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America (PFNA). For 16 years he chaired the board of Pacific Coast Bible School, Sacramento, California.
James is the author of the book, Who Has Bewitched You? (Pleasant Word, 2010).
Bishop James R. Pennington After retiring from ministry in the IPHC, James and Theda accepted a pastorate in New York City with the Communion of Evangelical Episcopalian Churches. They pastored that congregation for 12 years. In July 2011, they retired and returned to Oklahoma to be nearer their four children.
James Pennington based his life on the words of Jesus recorded in Luke 4:43: “…I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.” Faithful to that mission, he ministered in countries around the world, including India, China, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Haiti, Norway, Korea, England, France, Israel, Germany, and, of course, the United States.
James is predeceased by his parents and 10 of his 14 siblings: Olive, Jr., Margie, Ruth, Louise, William D., twins, Frances and Jean, John, McArthur and an infant sister. He is survived by his wife, Theda; their four children, Richard (Karen) of Duncanville, Texas; Thomas (Sherry) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Robert (Maria) of Porter Ranch, California; and Yolanda Lynch of Oklahoma City; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; and three siblings: Zach (AKA Jack) and Larry Pennington, and Jolynn Turner, all of Texas. A host of extended family members and friends around the world will miss his smiles and sincere congeniality. Services will be held Saturday, September 24 at River of Life Church, 6901 NW 150th, Oklahoma City, OK 73242 at 2 p. m. Family visitation will be Friday, September 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Buchanan Funeral Home, 8712 N. Council Rd, Oklahoma City, OK.
By Shirley G. Spencer
[Editor's Comment: James and Theda Pennington were ardent subscribers to Hugh's News. In fact, when he pastored his church in New York City he faithfully sent a monthly contribution of $100 to Hugh's News, Inc. Several times he would send me manuscripts of the sermons he had preached in Sunday morning worship services. I always gained spiritual and theological understanding from those well thought-out and crafted messages. He was a gifted and masterful preacher of the Gospel, and he learned to preach in "the Pentecostal Way." I often talked with him by phone, in addition to my correspondence via email.
Let me say we are grateful to Shirley Spencer for this outstanding bio and obituary for our dearly beloved brother, James Pennington. Shirley served for decades as the Executive Editor of The Advocate, Issachar Files, and IPHC Experience printed magazines. In every project she has produced she has always demonstrated excellence. We are blessed and honored to have Shirley Spencer as one of our Contributing writers for Hugh's News.
In addition, I want to thank Janese Pike Bennett, the Director of Communications for the IPHC, for providing us with this marvelous article about James Pennington. I, also, want to express my thanks to Mel Tinney, my webmaster who resides in Pepin, WI, for sizing the photos for our Hugh's News publication. It takes a team to produce Hugh's News.
It is my understanding at this point in time, that the Rev. Dr. Leroy Baker, former Superintendent of the Texas (Grace Bible Ministries) Conference and Bishop Tom Murray, Superintendent of the Golden West Conference will be officiating. These two outstanding church leaders knew James Pennington better than most people. I only wish that Melvine and I could be present at the memorial service. However, God has given me a forum through Hugh's News (which belongs to God) to share this news story. God has allowed me to be the guardian, steward or trustee of this global news service that is uniting the IPHC family wherever they are on God's wide world. What a privilege and honor it is for me. I need your prayers for wisdom, strength, joy, peace, and glowing health.
It is appropriate as well as fitting that the memorial service for our dear brother in Christ will be conducted at River of Life Church in Oklahoma City, where the Rev. Mr. Richard Goad is the pastor.
Our love, condolences, and prayers are extended to Theda and her family.
May the Holy Spirit bring them comfort in their time of grief and sorrow.
John, the beloved Apostle, wrote these words that apply to James R. Pennington:
Revelation 14:13, Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them"
(NIV).]
James Pennington based his life on the words of Jesus recorded in Luke 4:43: “…I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.” Faithful to that mission, he ministered in countries around the world, including India, China, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Haiti, Norway, Korea, England, France, Israel, Germany, and, of course, the United States.
James is predeceased by his parents and 10 of his 14 siblings: Olive, Jr., Margie, Ruth, Louise, William D., twins, Frances and Jean, John, McArthur and an infant sister. He is survived by his wife, Theda; their four children, Richard (Karen) of Duncanville, Texas; Thomas (Sherry) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Robert (Maria) of Porter Ranch, California; and Yolanda Lynch of Oklahoma City; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; and three siblings: Zach (AKA Jack) and Larry Pennington, and Jolynn Turner, all of Texas. A host of extended family members and friends around the world will miss his smiles and sincere congeniality. Services will be held Saturday, September 24 at River of Life Church, 6901 NW 150th, Oklahoma City, OK 73242 at 2 p. m. Family visitation will be Friday, September 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Buchanan Funeral Home, 8712 N. Council Rd, Oklahoma City, OK.
By Shirley G. Spencer
[Editor's Comment: James and Theda Pennington were ardent subscribers to Hugh's News. In fact, when he pastored his church in New York City he faithfully sent a monthly contribution of $100 to Hugh's News, Inc. Several times he would send me manuscripts of the sermons he had preached in Sunday morning worship services. I always gained spiritual and theological understanding from those well thought-out and crafted messages. He was a gifted and masterful preacher of the Gospel, and he learned to preach in "the Pentecostal Way." I often talked with him by phone, in addition to my correspondence via email.
Let me say we are grateful to Shirley Spencer for this outstanding bio and obituary for our dearly beloved brother, James Pennington. Shirley served for decades as the Executive Editor of The Advocate, Issachar Files, and IPHC Experience printed magazines. In every project she has produced she has always demonstrated excellence. We are blessed and honored to have Shirley Spencer as one of our Contributing writers for Hugh's News.
In addition, I want to thank Janese Pike Bennett, the Director of Communications for the IPHC, for providing us with this marvelous article about James Pennington. I, also, want to express my thanks to Mel Tinney, my webmaster who resides in Pepin, WI, for sizing the photos for our Hugh's News publication. It takes a team to produce Hugh's News.
It is my understanding at this point in time, that the Rev. Dr. Leroy Baker, former Superintendent of the Texas (Grace Bible Ministries) Conference and Bishop Tom Murray, Superintendent of the Golden West Conference will be officiating. These two outstanding church leaders knew James Pennington better than most people. I only wish that Melvine and I could be present at the memorial service. However, God has given me a forum through Hugh's News (which belongs to God) to share this news story. God has allowed me to be the guardian, steward or trustee of this global news service that is uniting the IPHC family wherever they are on God's wide world. What a privilege and honor it is for me. I need your prayers for wisdom, strength, joy, peace, and glowing health.
It is appropriate as well as fitting that the memorial service for our dear brother in Christ will be conducted at River of Life Church in Oklahoma City, where the Rev. Mr. Richard Goad is the pastor.
Our love, condolences, and prayers are extended to Theda and her family.
May the Holy Spirit bring them comfort in their time of grief and sorrow.
John, the beloved Apostle, wrote these words that apply to James R. Pennington:
Revelation 14:13, Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them"
(NIV).]