Church of God General Overseer Raymond E. Crowley was born September 12, 1922, on Chincoteague Island off Virginia’s Eastern Shore. He served as general overseer from 1986 to 1990. Read his life’s story in Phillip and Mary Morris’ “Uncharted Waters” (Pathway Press).
Raymond Crowley was like a second father to me. He was often in my home, often preaching in the churches l was privileged to serve. I loved him and Frances. He dedicated our first child, Nate Jr. and christened him into the Lord Jesus. I miss him greatly. Our lives came together in so many ways. We need some more Raymond Crowleys in our midst!
Brother Crowley was always very good to me. As Assisted General Overseer, he offered me a teaching position at Lee in 1986. I remember the first time I met him. It was in Sidney, OH at a special meeting. The Spirit of the Lord was moving greatly in the service. The choir was singing and people were shouting. Meanwhile, Crowley sat there on the platform, and actually looked like a dud. He appeared not to be spiritual at all. I am sorry to say but I actually thought that when Crowley got up to preach, that I would slip down to the basement where Bro Bridges had set up some things for Pathway Press. But when they turned the service over to Crowley, he was quoting scripture when he stood to his feet. He was in high gear when he got into the pulpit. That place EXPLODED. There was no way that I was leaving that special service.
I remember I needed some financial help at our church that I was building. I spoke to Bro Crowley about it. He told me to take care of the obligations and he would see that I got the needed funds. I did what he said. I wrote the checks and then I went to his office at General Offices in Cleveland, TN. There in his office, I told him that I needed $35k and reminded him what he told me. He said I was the biggest fool he had ever met, or a man with tremendous faith and he did not know which one I was. I responded stating that I’d like to think of it as tremendous faith. Lol. But I will tell you this, when I left Bro Crowley’s office, I had an envelope inside my suit coat with a check for $35k. Praise God!
They call it the good, the bad, and the ugly. I want to remunerate that my personal relationship with Bro Crowley as it related to my ministry in the CoG was most wonderful. However, I was deeply shocked and hurt at the CoG GA in 1986. I was there and I am an eye witness. The Practical Teachings were being discussed and a vote prepared to replace them with another document that I personally did not care for. Crowley was the moderator. Whenever an Ordained Minister was granted to speak at one of the many microphones on the floor, and if he stated that he opposed the replacement of the CoG Practical Teachings, (here is where I was deeply hurt), Bro Crowley ordered their microphone to be turned off. I will never forget the man at microphone # 13. When Crowley ordered his microphone to be turned off, the man’s last words before he fell to knees in prayer was, “In the name of Jesusssssss” as his voice faded out. Over 1/3 of the Ordained Ministers walked off the main floor that morning. You see, many ministers were looking at Dr Ray H Hughes, Sr who was always known as a holiness preacher. But during the vote, Bro Hughes did not vote. I personally saw Bro Hughes standing at the edge of the platform, talking and shaking hands with other ministers. I guess I just always thought that everyone in the CoG was CoG. I found out that day that I was wrong in my assumption. Don’t misunderstand me. I loved both Bro Crowley and Bro Hughes. These two men had signed my CoG Ordination Credentials. They were both a great blessing to me. But I was deeply hurt by what I saw at the 1986 GA. God bless you all.
Thanks for sharing.
Melvin, I was in Germany in 86 and missed this GA. Is there a resource to read more about this?
The Methodist Church had a similar situation. An excellent book about their situation is very similar to that of the CoG. The book is called, TENSIONS IN THE CONNECTION.
To understand the occurrence at the 1986 GA, one needs to first understand THE CoG STUDY COMMISSION and its report.
I can remember him. He was a great man.
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