Stewards of Grace: A Reflective, Mission Biography of Eugene and Phyllis Grams in South Africa, 1951-1962

by Rollin G. Grams

Overview

Stewards of Grace tells several stories in one. It is a story of two faithful stewards of God's grace called to serve the poor, despised, and marginalized in apartheid South Africa. It is a story that captures how cross-cultural missions from the west at the end of the colonial era led to a thriving church in the southern hemisphere. It is a story of God's power to redeem and transform the lost, heal the sick, and build the church of Jesus Christ. It is a story of the positives and negatives of Pentecostal missions in its third generation in the mid-twentieth century. And it is a story of radical Christian discipleship. Written first for those who would like to know the story of the first of six decades of ministry for Eugene and Phyllis Grams, this book also reflects on mission theology and practice. The very personal story is full of painful struggles and amazing miracles, human opposition and divine triumph, and examples of how God's plan works through and despite human weaknesses for the praise of his glory and grace. Reflection on ministry, missions, theology, and the Christian life are based on Scripture, history, and the Grams' personal experiences. The biographical narrative explores such things as the call to Christian service, evangelism, church planting, justice, compassion, cross-cultural ministry, partnerships, and spiritual power. The result is both a riveting biography and a narrative theology of mission practice to challenge and encourage every believer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498273367
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	07/01/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	222
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Rollin G. Grams is Associate Professor of New Testament and the Director of the Robert C. Cooley Center for the Study of Early Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has lived and taught in Kenya, Ethiopia, Croatia, England, and the United States. He is the youngest son of Eugene and Phyllis Grams.
Rollin G. Grams is an Associate Professor of New Testament and the Director of the Robert C. Cooley Center for the Study of Early Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has lived and taught in Kenya, Ethiopia, Croatia, England, and the United States. He is the youngest son of Eugene and Phyllis Grams.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

1 Under the Thorn Tree 1

Capsule: Apartheid

2 An Outpouring of the Spirit 17

Capsule: Faith Healing and Pentecostalism

3 A Clear Calling 26

Capsule: Hearing God

Capsule: The Spirit's Work and the Human Response

4 The First Wedding 36

Capsule: Women in Ministry

5 The Second Wedding, and a Honeymoon 46

6 New Pietersburg and Beyond 53

7 Village Ministry 62

Capsule: Polygamy

Capsule: The Mission of God

8 Old John 73

Capsule: Education for Ministry

Capsule: Urgency in Mission

Capsule: Early Pentecostalism in South Africa

9 Faith 85

Capsule: Faith

Capsule: Prayer and Healing

10 Tshediso 97

11 Furlough 104

12 Welkom 115

Capsule: Missionaries: Places, Ministries, and People

Capsule: Some Early Assemblies of God Missionaries in South Africa

13 From Every Tribe and Tongue and People and Nation 127

14 Lesotho 135

15 Return to Welkom 143

16 Into the Bundu: Sekhukhuneland 149

17 Testimonies of Transformation: Middelburg 156

18 Name Above Every Name: Machachan 163

Capsule: Support of the National Church and its Ministers

19 God's Gold 168

Capsule: Revival

20 Restitution 176

Capsule: Dynamics of Revival

21 Fields White for the Harvest 187

Capsule: Baptism and Transformation

Afterword 197

Bibliography 201