Carl A. Olsson
1933-1936
The Reverend and Mrs. Carl A. Olsson arrived
with their family early in November, 1933. Pastor Olsson had served the
church at Joliet, Illinois, for many years, and came at great personal sacrifice
to serve our church at the time of general unemployment and financial
depression. He entered upon the work with evangelistic fervor and
spiritual enthusiasm, and the Lord added His blessing.
The 50th anniversary of the church was celebrated for a week
starting January 1, 1934. On New Year's Eve, the night before, a
baptismal service was held and six candidates were "buried with Christ in
Baptism" by Pastor Olsson, just as fifty years before on New Year's Eve,
five of the Charter members had been baptized by Pastor Liljeroth.
During the week of celebration, addresses were given by
former missionaries A. G. Sandblom and E. Bjorkquist, Dr. G. A. Hagstrom of
Bethel Institute in St. Paul, Dr. W. H. Rogers of the Hinson Memorial Baptist
Church and Dr. F. W. Starring, secretary of the Oregon Baptist State
Convention, Dr. Jacob Kratt, for forty years pastor of the First German
Baptist Church, now known as Trinity, and Dr. C. G. Emanuel of the Arleta
Baptist Church also participated.
Mrs. Augusta Palmblad, the only Charter member then living,
was the special guest of honor. Mrs. Jennie L. Gilman, a daughter of our
first missionary-pastor, the Rev. Olaus Okerson, was also present. These
two have both since gone to their reward, as have a score or more of other early
day members, who were with us ten years ago. Our losses have be
incalculable, but how great the gain of those who now are with the Lord!
The ministry of our church was greatly extended by the
beginning of radio services, a Scandinavian Half Hour, every Sunday afternoon,
soon after Pastor Olsson came. The venture was a venture of faith from the
very first. Sponsors were secured, contributions came from listeners, and
as a result no financial burden has had to be borne by the church. On the
other hand many thousands have heard the gospel message, the church has become
widely known and church attendance has been promoted. At least one
backslidden former member has be restored, and only God knows the number of
souls that have been saved. Many messages of appreciation have come from
aged friends and from others, shut in by illness or other wise. Since
Pastor Olsson left, the work has been under the supervision of a Radio
Committee. Arthur B. Carlson has been the business manager since the
beginning.
Special evangelistic services were held from time to time in
which the church was assisted by Don Shogren, Pat Malone, Martha Pohnert, Ole
Larson, Oscar Gunnarfelt, Ned Holmgren, Roland Holmberg, and others.
Dr. Ernest W. Wadsworth, Director of the Great Commission
Prayer League, held a Bible conference in April, 1934, under the auspices of the
Union Gospel Mission.
During the summer of 1935 Pastor Olsson used the Conference
tent in holding evangelistic services in several outlying communities, assisted
by Charles Sundstrom, Rev. A. G. Sandblom and others.
Pastor Olsson was much in demand for evangelistic services
and held short campaigns in various places in Washington and in California, in
which many souls were saved.
On December 15, 1936, Pastor Olsson closed his work in
Portland to accept a call to the Englewood Church in Chicago, now known as the
Emerald Avenue Baptist Church. Here he enjoyed a fruitful ministry for six
years, when he felt led to resign to become a Chaplain in the United States Army
and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
The minutes of Meetings prior to December 1, 1936, were
written in Swedish; after that they were written in English, by the same church
clerk.
Taken from the book "Sixtieth Anniversary of the Temple
Baptist Church" by Harley Hallgren.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 KJV
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