In case you haven't heard I pulled the following message of the AG News Service. He was great Christian Brother and a supporter of Royal Rangers.
** FORMER ASSEMBLIES OF GOD GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT
G. RAYMOND CARLSON WITH CHRIST
The Rev. G. Raymond Carlson, 80, former general superintendent of
the U.S. Assemblies of God, died in Springfield, Mo., this
morning after a long illness.
Elected as general superintendent at the church's General Council
in San Antonio in 1985, Carlson took office in 1986. He led the
church during a period of significant growth before announcing
his retirement in 1993. During Carlson's administration, U.S.
Assemblies of God churches increased from 10,582 to 11,689. The
church's foreign missions program assisted Assemblies of God
fellowships around the world, and the worldwide constituency
increased from 15 million to 25 million adherents. Under
Carlson's leadership, a "Decade of Harvest" emphasis carried the
Assemblies of God into the 1990s with the most ambitious
evangelistic goals in the church's history.
Carlson also served on the board of administration of the
Pentecostal Fellowship of North America; the advisory committee
of the Pentecostal World Conference; the executive committee of
the board of administration of the National Association of
Evangelicals; and the executive committee for the Religious
Alliance Against Pornography.
Guy Raymond Carlson was born in Crosby, N.D., on February 17,
1918, the same day President Woodrow Wilson announced the end of
World War I. He made a public profession of his faith at age 7,
began preaching at 15 and received his ministerial credentials at
16. Following high school graduation, he went to Western
Pentecostal Bible College in Winnipeg, Canada.
In 1938, Carlson married Mae Steffler. They raised three
children. Carlson is survived by his wife, Mae; son, Gary;
daughter, Sharon Bontrager; a brother, Orville, and extended
family. The Carlsons' son, Paul, passed away in 1994.
Carlson began his pastoral ministry in 1940 in Thief River Falls,
Minn., and was ordained in 1941. Three years later he was elected
district presbyter and district Sunday school director. In 1948,
he was elected superintendent of the Minnesota District. At 30,
he was the youngest man to serve any district in this capacity.
He led the district until 1961, when he became president of the
church's North Central Bible College in Minneapolis. In 1969, the
college conferred on him the doctor of divinity degree. From 1969
until his retirement in 1993, Carlson served as an elected
official of the General Council at the church's headquarters
in Springfield. He was assistant general superintendent
from 1969-85.
Carlson was the author of some 15 books, including "Preparing to
Teach God's Word," "The Life Worth Living," "Spiritual Dynamics,"
and "Our Faith and Fellowship." He also wrote countless articles.
He preached internationally as well as across the United States
and Canada. His ministry took him to many Eastern European
countries after the fall of communism.
"I will never forget services in Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia
where hundreds of people jammed the churches to hear the gospel,"
he said. "There is a great spiritual hunger in those countries,
and the church today has an unparalleled window of opportunity
which we must take."
Carlson made it his life's mission to reach spiritually hungry
people regardless of the ministry position he held.
"The Assemblies of God has lost a beloved friend and leader in
the homegoing of Dr. G. Raymond Carlson," stated General
Superintendent Thomas E. Trask. "I know few who modeled Christ by
example and life as did this brother. He led this church through
difficult days, yet never lost sight of godly principles and
biblical holiness in decisions he made. He exemplified strength
through humility and leadership through servanthood. Most of all,
he showed us how to be people of the Word and prayer--qualities
that were foremost in his own life."
"He shall be greatly missed. But his life and example will
continue to inspire and challenge this Fellowship for years to
come. Our prayers and love are with Mrs. Carlson and the family
during this time of loss."
The memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3,
at 10 a.m. at Central Assembly of God in Springfield. Walnut Lawn
Funeral Home is making the arrangements.
