Led by The Spirit: The Early Years in the Philippines
Gladys Knowles (later Finkenbinder), Doris Carlson, and Elizabeth Galley (later Wilson) also arrived to study Chinese at a Chinese language school that had been moved from Beijing (Peking at the time) to Baguio because of the conflict in China. Apparently, they felt that God would eventually open the door to China again. Robert and Mildred Tangen also arrived, although the records are not clear as to what their ministry was intended to be. And so, in God’s timing and providence, at the outset of hostilities, all Assemblies of God missionaries were together in Baguio.
While the work continued and the blessings of God were obvious, the political situation deteriorated as the possibility of war increased. Radio and newspaper reports were full of doom and gloom, but no one thought that the Japanese would attack immediately.28 Perhaps this explains why there apparently was little or no effort by the missionaries to evacuate. Even the Department of Foreign Missions (DFM) was caught by surprise. They didn’t authorize evacuation until after Pearl Harbor was bombed.29 Whatever contingency plans may have existed are not recorded. While it is tempting to be critical of this apparent lack of planning, it must be remembered that the industrial power and military might of the United States dwarfed that of Japan. Therefore, the common consensus that Japan would never be foolish enough to attack America or her possessions was at least somewhat understandable.
In the weeks before hostilities broke out, the missionaries labored with one eye looking back over their shoulder at the worsening situation. During this time, the Johnsons, Appleby, and Baldwin, along with the Filipinos, concentrated their efforts on putting the Bible school in order. Johnson had even made plans to make an extensive tour of all thirty stations, presumably to strengthen them in any way he could and prepare for whatever might happen.30 What they could not have known at the time was that the United States State Department had no plans to offer evacuation to private citizens. They had concluded that in the event of war there would be too many people to evacuate once hostilities commenced. In the end, only God could help them.
PR
This chapter is an excerpt from Dave Johnson, Led By The Spirit: The History of the American Assemblies of God Missionaries in the Philippines (Pasig City, Philippines: ICI Ministries, 2009). Used with permission.
Notes for Chapter 1: The Early Years in the Philippines
1 In a letter to Trinidad Esperanza dated January 19, 1965, Noel Perkin, secretary of the Foreign Missions department in Springfield from 1927 to 1959, wrote that the Caudles had probably gone to the Philippines on their own, as was common in that day, and sought appointment only after arriving on the field. In another letter dated January 19, 1965, he laments, however, that the records from that era had been destroyed as they were not deemed to be of lasting value. One wonders if Perkin was correct, however, as Caudle’s application, dated April 28, 1924, is on file at the AGWM Archives.
2 Benjamin H. Caudle, Application for Appointment, April 28, 1924.
3 Caudle, “Opportunities in Manila,” Pentecostal Evangel (August 27, 1927).
Category: Church History, Fall 2019
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