Meaningful Memories

In the November/December 2007 issue of Holiness Today, the article about C.W. Ruth by Stan Ingersol stimulated my memory to the degree that I began to jot down some notes about some of my early days.

My father was a medical doctor, well known in the Northwest, and my mother was a registered nurse. Both were ordained elders in the church. Dad served on the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene for years and mother on the general NWMS (now Nazarene Missions International or NMI) Council. Dad gave physical exams to some of the early Nazarene leaders when they came to Nampa. One of them was "Uncle Bud" Robinson. One time "Uncle Bud" stayed in our home. His grandson, George, was driving his car for him. I was invited to go with them to the Holiness Association Campmeeting in Star, Idaho. C. W. Ruth was the evangelist. It made a lasting impression on me. During our 5 mile trip, George was going 50 miles an hour on a narrow road. I remember "Uncle Bud" saying to George, " You better slow down, George." 

I well remember early leaders such as R. T. Williams, J. B. Chapman, E. E. Martin, B. V. Seals, R. J. Plumb, Louise Robinson, and Fairy Chism. Some of them came to our home after an evening service for waffles. Jarrett and Dell Aycock were also friends of my parents. I was received into the membership of Nampa First Church of the Nazarene and baptized by my pastor, E. E. Martin. However, I drifted away from God, and at age 18 I was saved under the ministry of H. R. Dickerson in the Idaho-Oregon Campmeeting in Kurtz Park. I enrolled at Northwest Nazarene College (now University) that fall. I was wonderfully sanctified under the ministry of evangelist Stella B. Crooks. My pastor, Russell Gardner, knelt by my side and said: "Paul stay here until you hit rock bottom"full consecration."

Entire sanctification is a familiar term and was a glorious experience for me.

During my freshman year, I felt a definite call to preach the gospel. Some of my professors at NNC were R. V. Delong, Albert Harper, E. P. Ellyson, Bertha Dooley, and H. V. Miller. I went to Pasadena College and earned my M.A. Some of my teachers were: Olive M. Winchester, J. W. Goodwin, H. Orton Wiley, and J. Proctor Knott. In my pastoral ministry, I served under D. I. Vanderpool, E .E. Zachary, Weaver Hess, W. D. Mc Graw, Ponder Gilliland, George Coulter, and Eugene Stowe. In 1972, I was appointed superintendent of the Philadelphia District. We had 14 years of wonderful ministry. I also represented our Eastern Zone on the Nazarene Theological Seminary Board for 10 years. It's a thrill to follow the ministry of some of the young men who pastored on the Philadelphia District. Upon retiring in 1986, I preached several revivals, which I loved doing. I was then invited to be on the staff of College Church in Nampa. Now I am in my eighth year as adjunct chaplain at Mercy Hospital. This has been a very fulfilling ministry.

God has been good to me and my family. These many areas of ministry have enriched my life. I thank all those I have had the privilege ministering to and working with across the years.

Paul Mangum

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.