This page will contain videos about Pentecostalism, as they become available.PentecostalismThe Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Pentecostalism is similar to the Charismatic movement, but developed earlier and separated from the mainstream church. Charismatic Christians, at least in the early days of the movement, tended to remain in their respective denominations. TheologyTheologically, most Pentecostal denominations are aligned with Evangelicalism in that they emphasize the reliability of the Bible and the need for conversion to faith in Jesus. While there is cross pollination with other movements, Pentecostals differ from Fundamentalists by placing more emphasis on personal spiritual experience and, in most cases, by allowing women in ministry. Pentecostals embrace a transrational worldview. Although Pentecostals are concerned with orthodoxy ("correct belief"), they are also concerned with orthopathy ("right affections") and orthopraxy ("right reflection or action"). Reason is esteemed as a valid conduit of truth, but Pentecostals do not limit truth to the realm of reason. Dr. Jackie David Johns, in his work on Pentecostal formational leadership, states that the Scriptures hold a special place in the Pentecostal worldview in that the Bible is held as a book in which the Holy Spirit is always active; to encounter the Scriptures is to encounter God. For the Pentecostal, the Scriptures are a primary reference point for communion with God and a template for reading the world. One of the most prominent distinguishing characteristics of Pentecostalism that separates it from Evangelicalism is its emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues, also known as glossolalia, is the normative proof of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Most major Pentecostal churches also accept the corollary that those who don't speak in tongues have not received the blessing that they call "The Baptism of the Holy Spirit" (this claim is uniquely Pentecostal and is one of the few consistent differences from Charismatic theology). Some ministers and members admit that a believer might be able to speak in tongues, but for various personal reasons (such as a lack of understanding) might not. This would be the only case where a believer would be filled with the Holy Spirit, but not exhibit the so-called "initial physical evidence" of speaking in tongues. This, however, would be a minority perspective. Critics charge that this doctrine does not mesh well with what they believe to be Paul's criticism of the early Corinthian church for their obsession with speaking in tongues (see 1 Corinthians, chapters 12-14 in the New Testament). Advocates say that the Pentecostal position aligns closely with Luke's emphasis in the book of Acts and reflects a more sophisticated use of hermeneutics. The idea that one is not saved unless one speaks in tongues is rejected by most major Pentecostal denominations. Some Pentecostal churches hold to "Oneness theology", which decries the traditional doctrine of the Trinity as unbiblical. The largest Pentecostal Oneness denomination in the United States is the United Pentecostal Church. Oneness Pentecostals, are sometimes known as Jesus-Name, "Apostolics", or by their detractors as "Jesus only" Pentecostals. This is for their belief that the original Apostles baptized converts in the name of Jesus. They also believe that God has revealed Himself in different roles rather than three distinct persons. The major trinitarian Pentecostal organizations, however, including the Pentecostal World Conference and the Fellowship of Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches of North America, have condemned Oneness Theology as a heresy and refuse membership to churches holding this belief. This same holds true for the Oneness Pentecostal towards trinitarian churches. HistoryModern Pentecostalism began around 1901. Although the 1896 Shearer Schoolhouse Revival in Cherokee County, North Carolina might be regarded as a precursor to the modern Pentecostal movement, the commonly accepted origin dates from when Agnes Ozman received the gift of tongues (glossolalia) at Charles Fox Parham's Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas in 1901. Parham, a minister of Methodist background, formulated the doctrine that tongues was the "Bible evidence" of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Parham left Topeka and began a revival ministry which led to a link to the Azusa Street Revival through William J. Seymour whom he taught in his school in Houston, although because Seymour was African American, he was only allowed to sit outside the room to listen. The expansion of the movement started with the Azusa Street Revival, beginning April 9, 1906 at the Los Angeles home of Edward Lee, who experienced what he felt to be an infilling of the Holy Spirit during a prayer session. The attending pastor, William J. Seymour, also claimed that he was overcome with the Holy Spirit on April 12, 1906. On April 18, 1906, the Los Angeles Times ran a front page story on the movement. By the third week in April, 1906, the small but growing congregation had rented an abandoned African Methodist Episcopal Church at 312 Azusa Street and organized as the Apostolic Faith Mission. The first decade of Pentecostalism was marked by interracial assemblies, "...Whites and blacks mix in a religious frenzy,..." according to a local newspaper account. This lasted until 1924, when the church split along racial lines (see Apostolic Faith Mission). When the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America was formed in 1948, it was made up entirely of Anglo-American Pentecostal denominations. In 1994, Pentecostals returned to their roots of racial reconciliation and proposed formal unification of the major white and black branches of the Pentecostal Church, in a meeting subsequently known as the Memphis Miracle. This unification occurred in 1998, again in Memphis, Tennessee. The unification of white and black movements led to the restructing of the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America to become the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America. During the beginning of the twentieth century, Albert Benjamin Simpson became closely involved with the growing Pentecostal movement. It was common for Pentecostal pastors and missionaries to receive their training at the Missionary Training Institute that Simpson founded. Because of this, Simpson and the C&MA (an evangelistic movement that Simpson founded) had a great influence on Pentecostalism, in particular the Assemblies of God and the FourSquare Church. This influence included evangelistic emphasis, C&MA doctrine, Simpson's hymns and books, and the use of the term 'Gospel Tabernacle,' which evolved into Pentecostal churches being known as 'Full Gospel Tabernacles.' From the late 1950s onwards, the Charismatic Movement, which was to a large extent inspired and influenced by Pentecostalism, began to flourish in the mainline Protestant denominations, as well as the Roman Catholic church. Unlike "Classical Pentecostals," who formed strictly Pentecostal congregations or denominations, Charismatics adopted as their motto, "Bloom where God planted you." In the United Kingdom, the first Pentecostal church to be formed was the Apostolic Church. This was later followed by the Elim Church. In Sweden, the first Pentecostal church was Filadelfiaförsamlingen in Stockholm. Pastored by Lewi Pethrus, this congregation, originally Baptist, was expelled from the Baptist Union of Sweden in 1913 for doctrinal differences. Today this congregation has about 7000 members and is the biggest Pentecostal congregation in northern Europe. As of 2005, the Swedish pentecostal movement has approximately 90,000 members in nearly 500 congregations. These congregations are all independent but cooperate on a large scale. Swedish Pentecostals have been very missionary-minded and have established churches in many countries. In Brazil, for example, churches founded by the Swedish Pentecostal mission claim several million members. The history of pentecostalism in Australia has been documented by Dr Barry Chant in Heart of Fire (1984, Adelaide: Tabor, 382 pages). SizeThe largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States today are the United Pentecostal Church, the Church of God in Christ, Church of God (Cleveland) and the Assemblies of God. According to a Spring 1998 article in Christian History, there are about 11,000 different pentecostal or charismatic denominations worldwide. The size of Pentecostalism in the U.S. is estimated to be more than 20 million and also including approx 918,000 (4%) of the Hispanic-American population, counting all unaffiliated congregations, although exact numbers are hard to come by, in part because some tenets of Pentecostalism are held by members of non-Pentecostal denominations in what has been called the charismatic movement. Pentecostalism was conservatively estimated to number around 115 million followers worldwide in 2000; other estimates place the figure closer to 400 million. The great majority of Pentecostals are to be found in Third World countries (see the Statistics subsection below), although much of their international leadership is still North American. Pentecostalism is sometimes referred to as the "third force of Christianity." The largest Christian church in the world is the Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea, a Pentecostal church. Founded and led by David Yonggi Cho since 1958, it had 780,000 members in 2003. The Apostolic Church is the fastest growing church in the world. Statistics
Source: Operation World by Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk, 2000, unless otherwise indicated. LeadersPrecursors
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Additional Pentecostal theologians are listed in the article entitled, "Renewal Theologians". Radio preachers and televangelists
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Additional Pentecostal theologians are listed in the article entitled, "Renewal Theologians". Many fans hope that replacement J.P Losman can lead the Bills to the playoffs in the 2005-2006 season. Source: Operation World by Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk, 2000, unless otherwise indicated. In the offseason, the Bills released quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who was then signed by the Dallas Cowboys. The Apostolic Church is the fastest growing church in the world. Though they would lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final game of the season, costing them a playoff berth, the late season surge gave the team a positive direction to approach 2005. Founded and led by David Yonggi Cho since 1958, it had 780,000 members in 2003. This, along with the emergence of Willis McGahee taking over the starting running back role from the injured Travis Henry, and emergence of Lee Evans to give the Bills a second deep threat, sparked the Bills to go 7-2 in their next nine games. This string of victories allowed the Bills to be in the hunt for a final AFC wildcard playoff spot. The great majority of Pentecostals are to be found in Third World countries (see the Statistics subsection below), although much of their international leadership is still North American. Pentecostalism is sometimes referred to as the "third force of Christianity." The largest Christian church in the world is the Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea, a Pentecostal church. The team finally managed to turn things around with a victory at home against the also winless Miami Dolphins. Pentecostalism was conservatively estimated to number around 115 million followers worldwide in 2000; other estimates place the figure closer to 400 million. Additionally, each loss was heartbreakingly close. is estimated to be more than 20 million and also including approx 918,000 (4%) of the Hispanic-American population, counting all unaffiliated congregations, although exact numbers are hard to come by, in part because some tenets of Pentecostalism are held by members of non-Pentecostal denominations in what has been called the charismatic movement. The Bills started the 2004 season 0-4, with Bledsoe and his offense struggling in their run-first offense, averaging only 13 points per game. The size of Pentecostalism in the U.S. And indeed, Bledsoe did continue to struggle in 2004. According to a Spring 1998 article in Christian History, there are about 11,000 different pentecostal or charismatic denominations worldwide. Losman, to be used if Bledsoe continued to struggle in 2004. The largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States today are the United Pentecostal Church, the Church of God in Christ, Church of God (Cleveland) and the Assemblies of God. The Bills also drafted another quarterback, J.P. The history of pentecostalism in Australia has been documented by Dr Barry Chant in Heart of Fire (1984, Adelaide: Tabor, 382 pages). Gregg Williams was fired as head coach after the 2003 season and replaced with Mike Mularkey. In Brazil, for example, churches founded by the Swedish Pentecostal mission claim several million members. In one game, however, the Bills' fans gained a small measure of satisfaction when the defense sacked Rob Johnson multilpe times in his relief effort for Washington. Swedish Pentecostals have been very missionary-minded and have established churches in many countries. After beating eventual champions New England 31-0 in the first game, and crushing the Jaguars in their second game, the Bills stumbled through the rest of the season, finishing 6-10. These congregations are all independent but cooperate on a large scale. Another Patriot castoff, safety Lawyer Milloy, joined the Bills days before the 2003 season began and gave the team an immediate boost on defense. As of 2005, the Swedish pentecostal movement has approximately 90,000 members in nearly 500 congregations. However, in a tough division with all other teams finishing 9-7, they were still in last place. Today this congregation has about 7000 members and is the biggest Pentecostal congregation in northern Europe. Bledsoe revived the Bills for the 2002 season, leading them to an 8-8 record, setting 10 team passing records in the process. Pastored by Lewi Pethrus, this congregation, originally Baptist, was expelled from the Baptist Union of Sweden in 1913 for doctrinal differences. After the season they traded for quarterback Drew Bledsoe, deemed expendable by the Patriots after Tom Brady led them to a Super Bowl victory. In Sweden, the first Pentecostal church was Filadelfiaförsamlingen in Stockholm. The Bills even lost a much-hyped mid-season matchup with "Bills West" (the Flutie-led Chargers). This was later followed by the Elim Church. Buffalo finished 3-13. In the United Kingdom, the first Pentecostal church to be formed was the Apostolic Church. Rob Johnson went down in mid-season with an injury and Alex Van Pelt took over. Unlike "Classical Pentecostals," who formed strictly Pentecostal congregations or denominations, Charismatics adopted as their motto, "Bloom where God planted you.". Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams took over as head coach for the 2001 season, which proved to be the worst in recent memory for the Bills. From the late 1950s onwards, the Charismatic Movement, which was to a large extent inspired and influenced by Pentecostalism, began to flourish in the mainline Protestant denominations, as well as the Roman Catholic church. Smith would be quickly replaced by rookie Travis Henry. This influence included evangelistic emphasis, C&MA doctrine, Simpson's hymns and books, and the use of the term 'Gospel Tabernacle,' which evolved into Pentecostal churches being known as 'Full Gospel Tabernacles.'. Both Flutie and Smith were dominant in their final game as Bills, in a rout of the Seahawks. Because of this, Simpson and the C&MA (an evangelistic movement that Simpson founded) had a great influence on Pentecostalism, in particular the Assemblies of God and the FourSquare Church. Antowain Smith also left as a free agent for the New England Patriots, where he was the starting running back on their two Super Bowl championship teams. It was common for Pentecostal pastors and missionaries to receive their training at the Missionary Training Institute that Simpson founded. Doug Flutie left the Bills with a .677 winning percentage in 31 starts. During the beginning of the twentieth century, Albert Benjamin Simpson became closely involved with the growing Pentecostal movement. Flutie controversy, general manager John Butler departed for the San Diego Chargers - and took Flutie and Wiley with him. The unification of white and black movements led to the restructing of the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America to become the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America. Antowain Smith, Eric Moulds and Marcellus Wiley respectively had long since eclipsed them on the depth chart. After a dismal 8-8 season, and the team still caught up in the Johnson vs. This unification occurred in 1998, again in Memphis, Tennessee. The final ties to the Bills' Super Bowl years were cut in 2000 when Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and Bruce Smith were all cut. In 1994, Pentecostals returned to their roots of racial reconciliation and proposed formal unification of the major white and black branches of the Pentecostal Church, in a meeting subsequently known as the Memphis Miracle. Others believe it wouldn't be an issue, had Johnson not taken sack in the endzone early on, allowing Tennessee to get 2 points, and good field position, which they used to score a touchdown. When the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America was formed in 1948, it was made up entirely of Anglo-American Pentecostal denominations. The Titans ended up advancing to the Super Bowl. This lasted until 1924, when the church split along racial lines (see Apostolic Faith Mission). Many Bills fans still think that the lateral was actually a forward pass, and the touchdown should not have counted. The first decade of Pentecostalism was marked by interracial assemblies, "...Whites and blacks mix in a religious frenzy,..." according to a local newspaper account. The Bills scored a field goal with 16 seconds left to give them a 16-15 lead, but the Music City Miracle, a lateral from Frank Wycheck to Kevin Dyson that led to a Tennessee touchdown on the ensuing kickoff lost the game for Buffalo. By the third week in April, 1906, the small but growing congregation had rented an abandoned African Methodist Episcopal Church at 312 Azusa Street and organized as the Apostolic Faith Mission. Flutie's popularity continued into the 1999 season, with the Bills finishing 11-5, two games behind the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC East standings. However, Johnson was given the starting job in the first playoff game against the Tennessee Titans (the former Houston Oilers) in Nashville. On April 18, 1906, the Los Angeles Times ran a front page story on the movement. They faltered in their first playoff game against the Dolphins, though the game's poor officiating was one of many poorly called games which caused instant replay to be brought back in 1999. The attending pastor, William J. Seymour, also claimed that he was overcome with the Holy Spirit on April 12, 1906. After Johnson and the Bills stumbled to begin the season, Flutie came in and led the Bills to a playoff spot and 10-6 record. The expansion of the movement started with the Azusa Street Revival, beginning April 9, 1906 at the Los Angeles home of Edward Lee, who experienced what he felt to be an infilling of the Holy Spirit during a prayer session. Despite many Bills fans wanting Flutie to get the starting job, Phillips named Johnson to the position. Parham left Topeka and began a revival ministry which led to a link to the Azusa Street Revival through William J. Seymour whom he taught in his school in Houston, although because Seymour was African American, he was only allowed to sit outside the room to listen. This started one of the biggest controversies in the NFL at the time. Parham, a minister of Methodist background, formulated the doctrine that tongues was the "Bible evidence" of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Bills, under new coach Wade Phillips signed two quarterbacks for the 1998 season, Rob Johnson and former Canadian Football League star Doug Flutie. Although the 1896 Shearer Schoolhouse Revival in Cherokee County, North Carolina might be regarded as a precursor to the modern Pentecostal movement, the commonly accepted origin dates from when Agnes Ozman received the gift of tongues (glossolalia) at Charles Fox Parham's Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas in 1901. Coach Marv Levy retired after the season. Modern Pentecostalism began around 1901. Kelly's loss was felt in 1997, with the Bills stumbling to 6-10. This same holds true for the Oneness Pentecostal towards trinitarian churches. Thurman Thomas gave way to new running back Antowain Smith. The major trinitarian Pentecostal organizations, however, including the Pentecostal World Conference and the Fellowship of Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches of North America, have condemned Oneness Theology as a heresy and refuse membership to churches holding this belief. Jim Kelly retired after the season, signalling an end to the most successful era in Bills history. They also believe that God has revealed Himself in different roles rather than three distinct persons. They still made the playoffs, but as a wild card - and the first victim of the cinderella Jacksonville Jaguars. This is for their belief that the original Apostles baptized converts in the name of Jesus. In 1996 the Bills saw their commanding lead in the AFC East race disappear to a surging New England Patriots team. Oneness Pentecostals, are sometimes known as Jesus-Name, "Apostolics", or by their detractors as "Jesus only" Pentecostals. They would not get a chance to get back to the Super Bowl - the Pittsburgh Steelers beat Buffalo in the divisional playoff and ended up being the AFC's representative there. The largest Pentecostal Oneness denomination in the United States is the United Pentecostal Church. In 1995 Buffalo, with free agent linebacker Bryce Paup anchoring the defense, again made the playoffs with a 10-6 record, and defeated Miami in the wild card round. Some Pentecostal churches hold to "Oneness theology", which decries the traditional doctrine of the Trinity as unbiblical. The 1993 Bills also proved to be the first of twelve different teams to lose the Super Bowl, with no NFL team doing so twice since then. The idea that one is not saved unless one speaks in tongues is rejected by most major Pentecostal denominations. The outcome of Buffalo's 1994 season has proven to mark the start of what has become known as the "Super Bowl Runner-up Jinx:" Beginning with the 1993 Bills, no Super Bowl loser has since reached the conference championship game the following year in either the AFC or the NFC, and only one has advanced that far in the postseason in either of the next two seasons after losing a Super Bowl (the Steelers, who lost to Denver in the 1997 AFC Championship Game two years after having lost Super Bowl XXX to Dallas); furthermore, only one Super Bowl loser since the 1989 Denver Broncos (who lost the game the year before the first of Buffalo's four defeats) has won a Super Bowl in any season since losing one (the New England Patriots, who lost the game in 1996 but won it in 2001, 2003 and 2004) and starting with the 1998 Atlanta Falcons, five out of six Super Bowl losers have finished with losing records the season after. Advocates say that the Pentecostal position aligns closely with Luke's emphasis in the book of Acts and reflects a more sophisticated use of hermeneutics. The team stumbled down the stretch and finished 7-9, fourth in the division and out of the playoffs. Critics charge that this doctrine does not mesh well with what they believe to be Paul's criticism of the early Corinthian church for their obsession with speaking in tongues (see 1 Corinthians, chapters 12-14 in the New Testament). The Bills would not get a chance to make it five straight in 1994. This, however, would be a minority perspective. A Thurman Thomas fumble returned for a touchdown by James Washington put Dallas in the lead, however, and the Bills were stunned again, 30-13. This would be the only case where a believer would be filled with the Holy Spirit, but not exhibit the so-called "initial physical evidence" of speaking in tongues. The Bills became the only team ever to play in four straight Super Bowls, and looked ready to finally win one when they led at halftime. Some ministers and members admit that a believer might be able to speak in tongues, but for various personal reasons (such as a lack of understanding) might not. They won the AFC East championship with a 12-4 record, and again won playoff games against the Los Angeles Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, setting up a rematch with the Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVIII on January 30, 1994 . Most major Pentecostal churches also accept the corollary that those who don't speak in tongues have not received the blessing that they call "The Baptism of the Holy Spirit" (this claim is uniquely Pentecostal and is one of the few consistent differences from Charismatic theology). They looked to rectify the situation in the 1993 season, but the same result happened. Speaking in tongues, also known as glossolalia, is the normative proof of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. By now the Bills had become laughingstocks, poster children for failure in the eyes of many. One of the most prominent distinguishing characteristics of Pentecostalism that separates it from Evangelicalism is its emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. Lett held the ball out long enough for Tasker, who had made up a considerable distance to get to Lett, to knock it out of his hand. For the Pentecostal, the Scriptures are a primary reference point for communion with God and a template for reading the world. One of the sole bright spots for the Bills was Steve Tasker's rundown and strip of Leon Lett after Lett had returned a fumble inside the Bills five and was on his way to scoring. Jackie David Johns, in his work on Pentecostal formational leadership, states that the Scriptures hold a special place in the Pentecostal worldview in that the Bible is held as a book in which the Holy Spirit is always active; to encounter the Scriptures is to encounter God. Buffalo committed 9 turnovers en route to a 52-17 thrashing. Dr. Super Bowl XXVII, played against the Dallas Cowboys, turned out to be a mismatch. Reason is esteemed as a valid conduit of truth, but Pentecostals do not limit truth to the realm of reason. They then handily defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional playoff and upset the archrival Dolphins in the AFC Championship to advance to their third straight Super Bowl. Although Pentecostals are concerned with orthodoxy ("correct belief"), they are also concerned with orthopathy ("right affections") and orthopraxy ("right reflection or action"). Undaunted, the Bills scored touchdowns on several consecutive possessions to tie the game and force overtime. Steve Christie kicked the game-winning field goal in the extra session to cap the biggest comeback in NFL history, 41-38. Pentecostals embrace a transrational worldview. Backup quarterback Frank Reich started their wild card playoff game against the Houston Oilers, and they were down 35-3 by the third quarter. While there is cross pollination with other movements, Pentecostals differ from Fundamentalists by placing more emphasis on personal spiritual experience and, in most cases, by allowing women in ministry. The Bills lost the 1992 AFC East title to the Miami Dolphins and Jim Kelly was injured in the final game of the regular season. Theologically, most Pentecostal denominations are aligned with Evangelicalism in that they emphasize the reliability of the Bible and the need for conversion to faith in Jesus. The Redskins opened up a 24-0 halftime lead and never looked back, handing the Bills a 37-24 loss (an embarrassing moment occurred as the teams were leaving the field at the end of the first half when Bills center Adam Lingner angrily ordered a cameraman to "Get that f***in' camera out of my face;" the comment was picked up by a nearby microphone and everyone watching or listening to the game on television or radio would have had an opportunity to hear it). Charismatic Christians, at least in the early days of the movement, tended to remain in their respective denominations. The Bills looked to avenge their heartbreaking Super Bowl loss a year earlier by playing the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI, but it was not to be. Pentecostalism is similar to the Charismatic movement, but developed earlier and separated from the mainstream church. The Bills steamrolled through the 1991 regular season as well, finishing 13-3 again and with Thurman Thomas winning the Offensive Player of the Year award. They also had an easy time with the Kansas City Chiefs in their first playoff game and beat the Denver Broncos in a defensive struggle in the AFC Championship. The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Norwood's miss set the stage for future failures by the Bills in the early 1990s. Al Sharpton - American politician, civil rights activist, and Pentecostal minister. It went wide to the right, and the Giants emerged victorious; however, some criticized Levy for not calling one more offensive play in an effort to make the field goal try shorter. Andrea Mason - leader of the Family First Party of Australia in the Federal Election of 2004. The game featured many lead changes, and with the score 20-19 in favor of New York with eight seconds left, Bills kicker Scott Norwood attempted a 47-yard field goal. Steve Fielding - Family First Party Leader and Senator from Victoria. The Bills were overwhelming favorites to beat the New York Giants, but the defensive plan laid out by coach Bill Parcells and defensive coordinator Bill Belichick kept Buffalo in check (and without the ball) throughout the game. Andrew Evans - Founder and most influential member of the Family First Party and Member of the South Australian Legislative Council. The team finished 13-3 and blew out the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Raiders in the playoffs on their way to Super Bowl XXV. Stockwell Day - prominent Canadian politician. In 1990 the Bills switched to a no-huddle offense and it started one of the most successful runs in NFL history. Frederick Chiluba - former President of Zambia. 1989 was a relative disappointment, with a 9-7 record and a first-round playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns. John Ashcroft - former Attorney-General of the United States. After having an easy time with the Houston Oilers in the divisional playoff, they lost the AFC championship to the Cincinnati Bengals. Luis & Aileen Torres - Pastors of Centro De Adoracion Nuevos Comienzos, Passaic, New Jersey, US. In 1988, the rookie season of running back Thurman Thomas, the Bills went 12-4 and finished atop the AFC East for the first of four consecutive seasons. Rev Mohan - Pastor New Life Assemblies Of God Church, chennai, India. In addition to new coach Marv Levy, a receiving game featuring Andre Reed and a defense led by first-overall draft pick Bruce Smith, the Bills started marching back to the top. Vincent Leoh [1957- ]- General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God of Malaysia; Senior Pastor of Glad Tidings Assembly of God, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. After the USFL's demise, Jim Kelly joined the Bills for the 1986 season, and immediately proved to be worth the wait. Sophia Tan Luang Keng - Founding and Senior Pastor of Living Spring Fellowship, based in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. In 1984 and 1985 the Bills went 2-14. Larry Schoonover is also Senior editor of the Apostolic Herald (http://apostolicherald.com). Knox left his coaching position to take a job with the Seattle Seahawks, and new coach Kay Stephenson proved to be less than stellar. Larry Schoonover - Senior Pastor of New Life Pentecostal Church (http://newlife-apostolic.com) in Puyallup, Washington. In the famous 1983 draft the Bills selected quarterback Jim Kelly as their replacement to an aging Joe Ferguson, but Kelly decided to play in the upstart United States Football League instead. Ouriel de Jesus - Senior Pastor of World Revival Church (http://www.godsrevival.com), the center of the revival in Boston, MA, and the president of the 70 some odd congregations planted by his ministry around the world. The following year — the strike-shortened season of 1982 — the Bills slipped to a 4-5 final record. Brian Houston - Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. The team's players and fans alike adopted the informal slogan "We're Talkin' Proud" during this period. Wayne Hughes - Senior Pastor of the Takapuna Assembly of God, New Zealand. They lost in the second round to the eventual AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals. In 2002, he conducted the largest known evangelistic crusade in history, in Lagos, Nigeria, attended by six million people. The following season they lost their title to the Dolphins, but won their first NFL playoff game (over the New York Jets). Reinhard Bonnke (1941-) - German evangelist known for his huge crusades, mostly in Africa but also elsewhere. They beat the archrival Miami Dolphins for the first time in 11 years in their season opener, en route to winning their first AFC East title. Luis Cabral (1965-) - Portuguese evangelist, now based in New Zealand. 1980 marked another breakthrough for the Bills. Jack Hayford - Founding Pastor of Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California. Chuck Knox was hired as head coach and he would end up leading the Bills back to the top. David Yonggi Cho (1936-) - Senior Pastor of the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, Korea. After the 1977 season Simpson was traded to the San Francisco 49ers (his legal troubles were still years down the road). Currently Associate Pastor of Times Square Church, New York. After a mediocre 1975 season the Bills had internal troubles in 1976 as the team dropped to the bottom of the AFC East, where they stayed for the rest of the 1970s. David Wilkerson (1931-) - author of The Cross and the Switchblade and numerous other books. They made the NFL playoffs for the first time in 1974, but lost in the first round to the eventual champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Ward. 1973 was a season of change: Joe Ferguson became their new quarterback, they moved into a new stadium, Simpson recorded a 2000-yard season and was voted NFL MVP, and the team had its first winning record since 1966. M. Lou Saban, who had coached the Bills' AFL championship teams, was rehired in 1972. C. In 1971, not only did the Bills finish in sole possession of the NFL's worst overall record at 1-13, but they also scored the fewest points (184) in the league that year while allowing the most (394); no NFL team has since done all three of those things in the same season in a non-strike year. Jimmy Swaggart. The Bills became part of the NFL when the latter absorbed the AFL in a merger in 1970. Pat Robertson. Simpson, who would become the face of the franchise through the 1970s. Oral Roberts. Before the 1969 season, the Bills drafted running back O.J. Kathryn Kuhlman. Tragedy struck the Bills in when Bob Kalsu, an offensive lineman, quit the team after his 1968 rookie season to serve in the Vietnam War, where he was killed in action in 1970. Kenneth Hagin Sr. In addition to their defensive prowess, the Bills had offensive muscle as well, in stars such as fullback Cookie Gilchrist, quarterbacks Jack Kemp and Daryle Lamonica, and receivers Elbert Dubenion and Ernie Warlick. Kenneth Copeland. The Bills won AFL championships in both 1964 and 1965, were one of only three teams to appear in an AFL championship game for three consecutive years, and the only AFL team to play in the post-season for four straight years, 1963 through 1966. Morris Cerullo. The only player ever inducted to the "pro football" hall of fame, without ever playing in the NFL, was a member of the 1964 Bills; guard Billy Shaw. Dan Betzer. Three were eventually named to the American Football League's All-Time Team, six to the second team, and sixteen are in the American Football League Hall of Fame. Jim Bakker. Eight members of the 1964 squad were on that year's AFL Eastern Division All-Star Team. Gordon Fee - New Testament Scholar. In 1964, the Bills defense allowed only four touchdowns rushing all season, and started a string that would extend into the 1965 season: seventeen straight games without allowing an opponent to score a rushing touchdown. Rufus Hollis Gause (born 1925). They were the first American Football League team to win 13 games in a season. Derek Prince (1915-2003) - probably the world's best-known Pentecostal theologian. The same defense registered fifty quarterback sacks, a team record that stands today, even though it was established in a 14-game season. Donald Gee (1891-1966). The 1964 Bills allowed their opponents only 300 rushing attempts and held them to 913 yards rushing during the regular season; a pro football record, just over 65 yards per game. Rex Humbard (b.1919) The first successful TV evangelist of the mid 1950s, 1960s, and the 1970s and at one time had the largest television audience of any televangelist in the U.S. The 1964 Buffalo Bills squad was one of the great teams in professional football history. Oral Roberts (b.1918) Healing Tent Evangelist who made the transition to televangelism. With a linebacking corps of Harry Jacobs, Mike Stratton and John Tracey; and defensive line stalwarts like Tom Day, Tom Sestak, Jim Dunaway and Ron McDole. Allen (1911-1970) Healing Tent Evangelist of the 1950s and 1960s. In the AFL, a predominantly offensive league, the Buffalo Bills were a great defensive team. A. After a public contest, the team adopted the same name as the former All-America Football Conference team in Buffalo. A. The Bufalo Bills were a founding member of the American Football League in 1960. Jack Coe (1918-1956) Healing Tent Evangelist of the 1950s. The Buffalo Bills are a Buffalo, New York-based National Football League team which plays its home games in the suburb of Orchard Park. Branham (1909-1965) Healing Evangelists of the mid 20th century. Drew Bledsoe. William M. Scott Norwood K. Kathryn Kuhlman (1907-1976) American female evangelist who brought Pentecostalism into the mainstream denominations. Ruben Brown LG. Aimee Semple McPherson(1890-1944) American Female Evangelist and organizer of the Four Square Gospel Church. Ernie Warlick. Seymour (1870-1922) Azusa Street Mission Founder. Ted Washington DT. William J. John Tracey. Charles Fox Parham (1873-1929) Father of Modern Pentecostalism. Thurman Thomas RB. David du Plessis. Steve Tasker WR-Special Teams. Smith Wigglesworth. Bruce Smith DE. John Alexander Dowie (1848-1907). Andre Reed WR. Australia: 0.4 million. Frank Reich QB. Papua New Guinea: 0.4 million. Reggie McKenzie OL. Oceania: 3.3 million
South Korea: 1.7 million. Phil Hansen DE. India: 3.9 million. Cookie Gilchrist. Indonesia: 5.0 million. Booker Edgerson. China: unknown; believed to be several million. Jim Dunaway. Asia: 15.3 million
North America: 21.5 million
Brazil: 13.5 million. (Founder). South America: 32.4 million
Kenya: 4.1 million. Patrick J. McGroder (Vice President). Nigeria: 12.1 million. Eddie Abramowski (Trainer). Africa: 41.1 million
Fred Smerlas. Simpson. J. O. Billy Shaw. Tom Sestak. George Saimes. Jack Kemp. Jim Kelly. Bob Kalsu (1945 - 1970, one of only two pro football players to die in the Vietnam War). Robert James. Kent Hull. Joe Ferguson. Elbert Dubenion. Joe Delamielleure. 12 - Jim Kelly. Losman QB. J.P. Mike Williams OT. Troy Vincent CB/FS. Takeo Spikes LB. Aaron Schobel DE. Eric Moulds WR. Lawyer Milloy S. Willis McGahee RB. Terrence McGee CB. Travis Henry RB. London Fletcher LB. Lee Evans WR. Nate Clements CB. Sam Adams DT. Rozelle Award winner Van Miller. McCann Award winner Larry Felser. James Lofton. Simpson. J. O. Billy Shaw. Marv Levy. Jim Kelly. Joe Delamielleure. |